Grange Motor Circuit in Apple Valley, CA welcomed racers from The Formula 100 Karting Series for Round #5 of the 2013 season. The first four rounds of the F100 season have provided some excellent and exciting racing. So far in 2013, repeat winners have been rare, and points hard to come by as the competition on track has been fierce. As such, the points battle was very close entering Round #5 in all classes, and when the sun set on the beautiful high desert racing facility at the conclusion of Round #5, many racers found themselves still in the midst of intense points battles for their respective 2013 class championships.
Once again, a good turnout of Cadet and Junior racers took to the track at Round #5. As a new class, F100 Cadet and F100 Junior have seen small numbers, but solid growth and heavy interest throughout 2013. The fact that many families make their racing decisions prior to the start of the season, combined with the fact that F100 Cadet and F100 Junior were introduced well into the 2013 season, make F100 Cadet and F100 Junior primed for growth during the 2014 season. Getting a jump on the anticipated growth, and establishing themselves as solid racers while getting valuable seat time were Cadet racers Colin Hawkins and Blake Hawkins and Junior drivers Brad Brady and Nolan Ohnemus. The drivers in these classes looked strong and F100 has seen marked improvement in their driving and racing skills. With continued participation and hard-work, these racers are sure to see the fruits of their labor through 2013 and into 2014. F100 would particularly like to point out Brad Brady, who in his first kart race ever showed excellent ability and potential. Racing with Brad, and putting on an excellent show was Nolan Ohnemus. Ohnemus looked very strong and fast on track. Both racers will continue to actualize their potential by attaining more seat time and F100 looks forward to their continued participation and to excellent on track battles through 2013 and beyond.
Joining F100 for second time in 2013 was the newly formed Socal Shifter Kart Series. The Socal Shifter Kart Series is designed to provide a place to race for amateur shifter kart racers looking for affordable racing seat time or shifter kart racers who own disfavored equipment, such as ICC, Mod Moto and 80cc shifter karts. Despite a great deal of interest from local shifter drivers, only two racers made the journey to Grange to do battle on track. But, although the numbers were low, the battles on track were excellent, as the racers, Kalvin Chen and Cruz Fiore, ran almost identical lap times all day, and battled back and forth lap after lap. At the drop of the checkered flag in the main event, it was Cruz Fiore who would emerge victorious, besting Chen by a small margin. Both Chen and Fiore drove very well, and SSKS and F100 look forward to their continued participation in the Socal Shifter Kart Series. SSKS also looks forward to continued growth of their series, particularly among Mod Moto, ICC and especially 80cc shifter kart racers, as there is talk of a separate 80cc shifter kart points championship being implemented during the 2014 season, as well as implementation of many cost saving ideas to make shifter kart racing accessible to a wide range of racers.
F100 Senior Novice enjoyed an excellent turnout at Round #5, with fourteen racers hitting the track for some racing fun and excitement. There were numerous fast racers on track, and the racing through the peapick heats was excellent. F100 has noticed incredible progression in the Novice class since the beginning of the 2013 season, and that progression was evident at Round #5. Racers in the Novice raced clean and hard, driving solid lines, and making excellent racing manuevors. For much of the day, Patrick Lonnee and Brian Smith looked like the drivers to beat. In the main event, it was Lonnee who would take home the checkered flag just ahead of Smith. Both racers put on an excellent show. With the victory, Lonnee has earned his Intermediate license and will be moving into the Intermediate class at his next race. Smith put in a strong race as well and continues to impress in F100 competition. With a little more racing seat time, Smith is sure to move up and contend in the Intermediate class. Chad Hawkins, Scott Miyako and Alex Cruz put in excellent work as well, finishing not far behind the leaders. Hawkins had the speed to compete, and with more seat time he is sure to become a force to be reckoned with. New racer Jeff Proctor finished not far behind the #87 of Cruz, a very impressive result in his first race. The F100 Novice class put on a great show and F100 looks forward to continued participation from all of the Novice racers. The racing at Round #5 was very exciting to watch, and for many of the Novice racers, more seat time and racing experience is the only thing standing between them and victory lane and a move up to the competitive Intermediate class. Congratulations to all the F100 Novice racers for their excellent performances.
F100 Senior Intermediate, usually the biggest F100 class, saw a light turnout, which meant precious series points were available for the taking. Alex Bacon would grab the pole after excellent work in the heat races. Bacon has looked solid this year, with several excellent results. In the main Bacon would duel with James Hayner for much of the race. When the checkered flag flew it was James Hayner crossing the line just ahead of Bacon. With the victory, Hayner put the bad luck of the early season behind him and was able to celebrate an excellent days work. Like Hayner, second place finisher Bacon has also experienced some bad luck, but with his second place finish Bacon was able to catapult himself into third place in the season points standings, just behind Adrian Yong. John Shepherd would come home in third, an excellent result for the Tony Kart pilot. Shepherd has put in some excellent races thus far in 2013, and this third place finish provides Shepherd with valuable points as he chases another podium finish in the year end points championship. Ivan Urueta, driving a newly acquired chassis, looked strong and fast all day. After an early race incident in the main, Ureuta chased down the #64 machine of Shepherd, finishing just behind him as the checkered flew, to post a solid fourth place finish. David Schall, injured ribs and all, would bring home a hard earned fifth place to add his to his class leading points total. Gregorio Urueta, like his son Ivan, also had a solid race day but unfortunate luck thwarted his efforts. Urueta ran lap times on pace with third place finisher John Shepherd, but it was not to be his day, as Gregorio would retire from the main early. Even though the Intermediate experienced a smaller than expected turnout, the racing on track was excellent, with lap times from all racers very close, and hotly contested battles for position all around. F100 is looking forward to more great racing action at Round #6!
F100 Senior Advanced once again lived up to its billing as an ultra competitive class. The racing was hotly contested all day, as drivers battled during the peapick heats for precious track position in the main event. After a long and hard fought battle, it was Kyle Hayner who claimed the checkered flag. Hayner raced very well all day, posting solid lap times and even better racecraft en route to his second victory in as many tries. Right behind Hayner were the battling duo of Stu Hayner and Sebastian Bacon. Both racers were right on the heels of Kyle Hayner, fighting all day for every inch of racing room at the high desert racetrack. After struggling at Round #4, Stu Hayner posted an exccellent days work en route to a solid second place finish. Bryan Bender, in his first Advanced class race, registered an extremely impressive performance, blending into the aggressive but clean Advanced class with ease. Bender is a great addition to the class. Kalvin Chen had a solid day but was not able to post the finish that he desired. Chen was still able to grab valuable points to place him solidly in the hunt for the season points championship. Stepehen Huelsman raced hard but was not able to get a kart under him that could mount a solid charge towards the front, and retired early. Round #5 provided some excellent action on track from the F100 Senior Advanced class. Congratulations to race winner Kyle Hayner for an excellent drive!
Round #5 of The Formula 100 Karting Series provided some great entertainment and fun for the F100 community! F100's focus on extremely competitive and affordable racing continues to bring kart racers of all experience levels to the track. F100 looks to continue this trend through 2013 and into 2014, as they continue to push to make kart racing accessible and fun for a wide range of racers. The next Formula 100 Karting Series race is October 12th at Calspeed Karting Center. It will be a joint race with Tri-C Karters. F100 expects a very large turnout and hopes that you will come join the fun! For more information on The Formula 100 Karting Series please visit F100karters.com.
