22 FCC Drivers Put On A Show for The IndyCar Series Fans at Sonoma
Bigham wins it all in Pro FM, Avansino wins both races in FormulaSPEED, and Burton-Harris cleans up in the Formula Mazda class
September 2nd 2015
Sonoma, CA
This past weekend the Formula Car Challenge presented by Goodyear took to Sonoma Raceway for another exclusive double header. The event was held alongside the Verizon IndyCar Series Season Finale. "The level of competition at this event was incredible," noted Series Official Ben Hettema. “The best drivers from each of the classes came out for this event, and that made the racing spectacular.” The Formula Car Challenge, which is celebrating its 10th Anniversary, features a 14-race schedule. This season six of the races take place in Sonoma on a variety of the track's configurations. The series has always been a breeding ground for the up-and-coming professional racers, and this event featured drivers from Britain, Australia, and from all over the United States.
Round 9 Pole Positions:
Hunter Pickett - Pro Formula Mazda
Michael Avansino - FormulaSPEED
Joseph Burton-Harris - Formula Mazda
When the green flag dropped for Round 9 the 22 Mazda powered rockets charged towards Turn Two in an amazing show of skill and determination. "The drivers were within inches of one another," added Hettema. "Though there was some extremely close racing, everyone got through the first lap unscathed." At the half-way point some minor incidents caused yellow flags, but all the drivers were able to continue and pit for repairs if neccesary. The leaders in Pro FM, Pickett and Cabot Bigham were so close it looked like they were connected much of the race. They raced hard and clean, and at the checkered flag Bigham was out front for the win. Joseph Burton-Harris, who was racing in the series for the first time, checked out from the balance of the Formula Mazda racers and took the win. The fight for the next four places in FM raged the entire race, and was some great racing to watch. FormulaSPEED points leader Michael Avansino started on pole, and held that position from flag to flag but did get pressure from Robin Shute and Daniel Swanbeck at times.
Round 9 Podium Pro Mazda:
Winner - Cabot Bigham
Second - Hunter Pickett
Third
- Stan Kohls
Round 9 Podium FormulaSPEED:
Winner - Michael Avansino
Second - Robin Shute
Third - Daniel Swanbeck
Round 9 Podium Formula Mazda:
Winner - Joseph Burton-Harris
Second - Tazio Ottis
Third - Dutch Shultz
Qualifying for Round 10 started early in the morning on a damp track. Grid position for Round 10 was based on combined qualifying sessions from Rounds 9 and 10 and the lap times from Saturday put the same drivers at the front of their respective classes.
Round 10 Pole Positions:
Hunter Pickett- Pro Formula Mazda
Michael Avansino - FormulaSPEED
Joseph Burton-Harris - Formula Mazda
Round 10 got off to a great start, and Pro FM racers Pickett and Bigham were at it again, this time with Jaden Conwright in the mix. Once again newcomer Burton-Harris commanded the Formula Mazda class, but the battle for the balance of the podium was intense. Series points FM leader Tazio Ottis and local FM racing legend Bill Weaver fought hard for the balance of the trophies. In the FormulaSPEED class Avansino took another win, Swanbeck improved his previous day's finish by securing second, and Cameron Parsons rounded out the podium.
Round 10 Podium Pro Formula Mazda
Winner - Cabot Bigham
Second - Hunter Pickett
Third
- Jaden Conwright
Round 10 Podium FormulaSPEED
Winner - Michael Avansino
Second - Daniel Swanbeck
Third - Cameron Parsons
Round 10 Podium Formula Mazda
Winner - Joseph Burton-Harris
Second - Tazio Ottis
Third - Bill Weaver
This event saw additional support from Molecule Motorsports, GoPro, RaceCast.me, Goodyear, and Red Line Synthetic Oil. “We really couldn't make this event what it is without the support of our partners,” noted Series Communications Director Mark Milazzo. “GoPro gave each of or podium finishers a brand new camera, and that investment was close to 10k! RaceCast.me brought out their broadcast rig and crew so that folks at home could follow their favorite drivers live. Red Line Oil and Goodyear awarded product to select drivers, and Molecule Motorsports provided two days of hospitality to the drivers and guests along with product prizes to the podium finishers. Really this was such a fabulous event, and it provided fun and opportunity to everyone who attended.”
Once the Formula Car Challenge races were over, the racers were able to enjoy some great racing as spectators. The IndyCar championship was up for grabs, and a half dozen racers could have won including Americans Joseph Newgarden and Graham Rahal. At the checkered flag Scott Dixon, delivered the win to Chip Ganassi Racing Teams and also secured the series championship. Two Formula Car Challenge Alumni were competing in the IndyCar event as well. Gabby Chaves was in the #98 Brian Herta car, and Tristan Vautier was racing for Dale Coyne Racing in the #19. Chaves competed in the Formula Car Challenge in 2012, and Vautier competed in the series in 2011.
The Formula Car Challenge presented by Goodyear is the premier open-wheel motorsports series on the west coast and was recently named an Official Feeder Series to the Mazda Road to Indy. It was founded in 2005 to develop future motorsports teams, drivers, engineers and crew members. The series offers a platform in which costs can be carefully controlled, creating a level playing field for drivers. The concept has been fully realized as multiple graduates have made it to IndyCar and other top level positions in motorsports. The FCC features three different classes inside of the championship. All three classes are on track at the same time, but compete for points and championships only within their respective classes. All classes are powered by Mazda, and equipped with Goodyear Racing tires. The The Formula Car Challenge presented by Goodyear will be back to Sonoma Raceway to compete on the long course on September 26th – 27th.
More information:
|
