The first points race of the season for the Formula 100
Karting Series took place on June 30th at Grange Motor Circuit and
it was a huge success. A strong contingent of racers took to the track in all
three of the Formula 100 Karting Series classes. All classes at the Formula 100
Karting Series combine the Yamaha KT-100 and the HPV/KPV piston port 100cc
engines. Walking through the paddock it was great to see these sturdy, reliable
and uncomplicated engines everywhere the eye wandered. Although these engines
are almost forgotten on the west coast, the sound of a rolling 100cc start is
like nothing else in karting and is truly an aural pleasure, one that must be
experienced by any karting enthusiast.
The racing was fierce throughout the day. With open practice
all morning and racing beginning at 1 pm, drivers had ample time to prepare
their karts for the days festivities. A pea pick system was used for
qualifying. In a pea pick a random starting grid is generated for the first
race. That random grid is then inverted to create the grid for the second heat
race. To determine the grid for the feature race, the average finishing
position of each driver is calculated and the driver with the best (i.e. lowest
numerical) average finishing position wins the pole. Many clubs and
organizations have gone away from pea pick because of safety concerns due to
speed differences between racers in the same class. But because the Formula 100
Karting Series places drivers into classes by driving skill and lap time, these
safety issues are not as big of a concern. Using a pea pick qualifying system
makes for some great racing, as no matter how fast you are you will have to
pass someone in order to get the pole.
True to its billing the pea pick system did offer some great
racing action. All three classes were hotly contested. All day it
felt that any driver could win their respective class. The racing was truly
incredible. This point needs no further proof than the 100cc Senior Advanced
Feature Race results. Stu Hayner got a good start and led the entire race.
Behind Hayner the battle for second place was brewing hot and heavy as Jean
Michel Crettaz, Sebastian Bacon, Tom Ricketts and Kyle Hayner all swapped
positions multiple times throughout the race battling for a podium position.
With a few laps left Kyle Hayner attempted a pass on Stu Hayner. The attempt
was aborted before it really began, but the move caused Kyle Hayner to lose
momentum and Sebastian Bacon passed him for p2 on the track. Bacon was able to
track down Stu Hayner and on the final turn he made a move to the inside coming
up the hill. The two crossed the finish line side by side, a true photo finish.
The computers were consulted and it was found that both racers had finished the
race in a time of 14:11.710. The two racers were tied crossing the line to
three decimal places. It was only the fourth decimal place that broke the tie
with Bacon coming out on top. Grange Motor Circuit owner Jim Granger stated
that he had never seen a photo finish as close as the one between Bacon and
Hayner in all the years that he has been running the track. This result is a testament
to the closeness and competitiveness of the Formula 100 Karting Series. Bacon
actually ran the slowest fastest lap out of any racer in 100cc Senior Advanced,
but because racing is different than time attack Bacon was able to take the
victory.
The racing in 100cc Intermediate and 100cc Novice was thrilling as well. In the Novice Feature Race, Tom Denker and Gregorio Urueta
battled for much of the race. Denker looked to have the speed for most of the
day, but Urueta never backed down and his persistence eventually paid off with
a bold maneuver around the outside of Denker coming out of turn one and going
down the hill into turn two. The fans went crazy for this move and rightly so,
Urueta showed no fear in his attack and his boldness was rewarded. Denker would
give chase but would succumb to a stalled engine as he locked his brakes in
turn one, ending his day prematurely. Urueta would lead the rest of the way
with newcomer Jeremy Specht putting in a strong showing finishing in p2. Specht
almost caught Urueta towards the end of the race and finished only a few kart
lengths back. Specht also posted the fastest lap of the race at a 1:03.324.
Rounding out the podium was David Mabry who, after an early race spin, gathered
himself and put in a strong showing finishing just behind the top two
finishers.
100cc Intermediate was the largest class of the day and one
of the most hotly contested as well. All drivers in the class ran lap times
within .5 seconds of each other making the field very close. Because of this
closeness there were a few on track racing incidents, which are to be expected,
but each time the racers involved in the incidents gathered themselves and
continued on with their day. The heat races were close all day, with the pea
pick proving its worth, as passing became the rule not the exception. The start
of the Feature Race was very good, particularly for Alex Bacon who was able to
jump two positions and come out of turn one in 3rd. Turn two would
prove troublesome as Adrian Yong made a bold move up the inside of several
karts but tried to push it a little too far and locked up the brakes sending
him sliding backwards into Alex Bacon. David Schall, who put in a strong
performance all day, was also affected by the wreck but was able to continue,
although because of the incident he stayed well behind the rest of the field
for the duration of the race. Even after the incident Yong and Bacon were all
smiles as they discussed what had occurred. An apology and a pat on the back
resolved the situation. It was a shame the two racers were not able to continue,
as they both were showing strong throughout the day, and just like everyone in
the class, had a strong shot at contending for the victory. Back at the front
Timmy Fritch proved to be too much for John Shepherd and Steve Muehler, as he
posted the fastest race lap and took the victory in a strong showing. Fritch
drove clean and fast all day and he gapped the field in the Feature Race flexing
his karting muscles and taking the victory in the first point’s race of the
season. John Shepherd had a great drive holding p2 for most of the race and
finishing with a strong second place showing. Steve Muehler and Kyle Gash had a
great battle for third place, swapping positions several times. Eventually
Muehler would take third and hold it, crossing the line a mere .6 before Gash
would. Ivan Urueta posted great lap times and raced well all day but was forced
to retire due to what turned out to be a magical disappearing chain. Very
unfortunate for Ivan but he will be back, and he will contend for many more
victories this season. David Schall posted solid lap times but the early race
crash made it an almost impossible task for him to catch up and contend. It was
a tough day for Schall, but like Urueta, he will be back and he will contend
for many victories this season. All of the drivers in 100cc Intermediate had a
shot at the podium and this trend will continue throughout the season. The
racing on the track was exciting and the fans watching were on the edge of
their seats, jumping up and down during the Intermediate race. For anyone who
enjoys close, action packed racing, 100cc Intermediate is a must watch.
The first round of the Formula 100 Karting Series was a huge
success. A strong turnout coupled with amazing racing and countless smiles made
the sunny Saturday afternoon massively enjoyable for all involved. The Formula
100 Karting Series is looking forward to their next event tentatively scheduled
as a joint race with Tri-C Karters for July 21st, 2012 at Calspeed
Karting Center in Fontana, Ca. Wherever they go next the Formula 100 Karting
Series will put on a great show. For more information on the Formula 100
Karting Series please visit their website at F100karters.com. They can also be
reached via email at formula100kartingseries@gmail.com.
