Buttonwillow, CA
May 2nd, 2018
Rounds five and six of the 2018 Formula Car Challenge presented by Goodyear championships occurred this past weekend at Buttonwillow Raceway Park. The race group featured 26 open wheel racers, and 19 of them were qualified FCC competitors.
John Purcell had a perfect weekend in the Pro Formula Mazda class. Purcell secured both pole positions, and also both wins. He also won overall in the Formula Atlantic class against ex-pro Atlantic racing cars. “The Pro FM runs inside the Formula Atlantic class,” explained series official Ben Hettema. “The ex-pro Atlantic cars have bigger softer tires, tunnels for additional downforce, and more horsepower. To win against these vehicles is definitely a notable accomplishment.”
In the FormulaSPEED class Courtney Crone won both races, but had to work hard to get past Rayce Dykstra who secured both pole positions at the double header event. “The FS drivers are all so close in times that it really has been exciting to watch each and every session,” noted Hettema.
In the Formula Mazda class, Mike Anderson secured pole position for Round 5 and won both races. 2017 FCC Champion Bill Weaver was able to steal pole position for Round 6 keeping Anderson from having a perfect weekend. “Some of these drivers have been racing each other since the 1990’s, and they are FAST and ultra-competitive,” noted Hettema. “With the SCCA Runoffs being on the west coast this year, it seems like an additional level of adrenaline has been added to the mix and everybody is raising their game in preparation for the year end championship battle.”
At every Formula Car Challenge event series partners provide additional awards to the competitors. At this event, select drivers were awarded complimentary Goodyear Racing tires. The next event for the Formula Car Challenge is May 19th – 20th at Portland International Raceway Park.
Round 5 Podium – Formula Mazda
1st – Mike Anderson
2nd – Bill Weaver
3rd – Derry O’Donovan
Round 5 Podium – FormulaSPEED
1st – Courtney Crone
2nd – Bryson Lew
3rd – Rayce Dykstra
Round 5 Podium – Pro Formula Mazda
1st – John Purcell
2nd – Jay Horak
3rd – Sean Prewett
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Round 6 Podium – Formula Mazda
1st – Mike Anderson
2nd – Bill Weaver
3rd – Brad Drew
Round 6 Podium – FormulaSPEED
1st – Courtney Crone
2nd – Rayce Dykstra
3rd – Bryson Lew
Round 6 Podium – Pro Formula Mazda
1st – John Purcell
2nd – Jay Horak
3rd – Sean Prewett
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