The 2nd Annual Orange County Grand Prix hosted
Formula 100 Karting Series Round 4 on September 15th, 2012. Once
again F100 drivers showed up in force and put on a great show for the many
spectators attending the event. Although located near the beach, the Orange
County Fairgrounds experienced weather that was much warmer than expected.
Combined with the tight and technical track, this made for a challenging
weekend for many racers, and provided some great action on the track. As the
sole group of karts at the event, the Formula 100 Karting Series would provide
all the 4 wheel action that fans could want.
The F100 Novice class had a great turnout, with past winners
Gregorio Urueta and Jeremy Specht in the field along with newcomers Steven
Hastings, Mike Heron and Jeff Fritch. Tom Denker, who has raced very well
throughout the season, proved his racing might on the temporary course as he
ran away with the victory in the main, his first victory of the season. Denker
looked strong throughout taking the top spot in qualifying as well. With
laptimes verging on the Intermediate class level, Denker is quickly becoming a
formidable driver, and his performance at the OCGP was very impressive. Urueta,
who has won 2 prior races, had some trouble in the heat and made contact with
one of the hay bails placed around the track. He was not able to start the
main, but he will be back for round 5 and as always will be a force to be
reckoned with. Newcomer Steven Hastings impressed everyone. In his first race
ever he ran lap times near Denkers and took home the 2nd position.
Hastings looked smooth and fast on the track, maneuvering his Top Kart with the
proficiency of a much more seasoned racer. Hastings addition to the class makes
for even tougher competition moving forward. In 3rd place, and
putting up a great fight for 2nd, was Daniel Young. Young kissed a
barrier earlier in the day but was able to get his kart back on the track for
the main. He pressured Hastings for the entire race, and the battle between the
two provided the spectators with a great deal of excitement. Young raced hard
and clean in his first race since the opening round, and he will continue to
challenge for podium positions and overall wins as the season progresses.
Jeremy Specht, winner from round #3, put in another strong performance on the
temporary OCGP course. Specht hit his marks all day as he brought home another
strong 4th place finish. With each race Specht continues to progress
and having tasted victory already, he looks to stand atop the podium again at
round 5. Newcomer Jeff Fritch took home a solid 5th place at his
first race of the 2012 season. After several years away from a kart Fritch
looked strong and like he belonged in the drivers seat. His laptimes improved
throughout the day, indicating an increased comfort level as he spent more time
getting acquainted with his kart. With more seat time Fritch will be a threat
for a podium finish. Mike Heron, in his first race of the year, ran the 2nd
fastest lap time of the day in the Novice class and looked strong. Heron, in
his beautiful Birel number 42, got the kart dialed in the for the main and
looked to be making a charge towards the front of the field to challenge the
leaders. Unfortunately an accident with Rich Johnson thwarted Heron’s plans,
but with a strong showing at round 4, Heron will be poised to make a run at the
podium at round 5. Rich Johnson also brought a beautiful Birel with him to the
race. The number 00 kart of Johnson wore the colors of Full Throttle Karting
and with Johnson in the drivers seat the kart looked poised to challenge all
comers. Johnson had a rough day on track, making contact a few times, but each
time he was able to fix the kart and get on track for next event. Unfortunately
his day would end in the accident with Heron, but Johnson will be back for
round 5 and will look for another strong showing. Gabe Perreira arrived to the
race a little late due to prior commitments, but was able to learn the track
quickly. His laptimes were steadily decreasing and Perreira looked excited to challenge
during the main event. Unfortunately trouble befell the number 95 machine early
on and he was forced to retire, but Perreira will race again and with the
steady improvements he has already made this season, Perreira is one to watch
as the year goes on.
The Intermediate class featured several familiar faces and
some newcomers as well. Series stalwarts Ivan Urueta, Timmy Fritch, Kyle Gash,
John Shepherd, Adrian Yong and Steve Muehler all showed up to do battle at
round 4. Newcomer James Hayner joined them. Once again the day belonged to Ivan
Urueta. Urueta took the pole, and after a crash in the heat, would move through
the field to take the victory, running a sub 40 second lap time in the process,
the fastest overall lap of the day. Urueta’s result would increase his points
lead over JTC Motorsports drivers Fritch and Gash. Fritch and Gash would look
to keep pace. Unfortunately round 4 proved difficult for both drivers. Gash was
feeling a little under the weather, while mechanical troubles kept Fritch from
taking the green flag in the main. Both drivers will be hungry to get on track
at round 5. Adrian Yong had a strong day of racing. Yong led the field to the
green in the main after a strong heat race. After some difficulty at round 1,
Yong has proven himself to be a very competitive, fast and consistent driver,
and with yet another strong finish at round 4, Yong continues to climb in the
points standings. Newcomer James Hayner, racing under the Birel tent, put in a
strong showing as well. In his first race in many years, Hayner took the final
podium spot, finishing just behind Yong. Hayner will be one to watch as the
season progresses as he will look for continued improvement that hopefully will
see him atop the podium very soon. Steve Muehler had another solid day at the
track. Muehler had some troubles in the main, but he has consistently raced
very well, and continues his steady improvement. Quietly, Muehler has become a
very fast and capable racer, and he will continue to challenge for victories as
the season continues. He is certainly one to watch for at each race he competes
in. With little drama or fuss, Muehler puts in consistent top-notch
performances each time he hits the track, and at round 5 he will look to
continue his excellent season. John Shepherd also had a solid day at the track,
but unfortunately ran into trouble in the main as well. Early on it looked as
though Shepherd had a shot at the podium. His kart was dialed in all day, but
unfortunately tightened up during the main event causing a bit of an issue.
Shepherd will look to pilot his Tony Kart to another solid performance at round
5.
Advanced class racing was hotly contested as usual. Tom
Ricketts put down the fast time in qualifying, but the rest of the field was
nipping at his heels with times all within a few tenths. The main proved to be
one of the best races of the season. All of the advanced drivers were grouped
into a very tight pack for most of the race. Jean Michel Crettaz would lead for
most of the race, followed closely by Tom Ricketts. Stu Hayner, Kalvin Chen,
Sebastian Bacon and Jason Bunch were all right there should the front two have
faultered. But Crettaz raced tough, holding a tight line, which made passing on
the narrow track even more difficult. Hayner would get by Ricketts with only a
few laps left, leading to an exciting final lap. Coming into turn 1 Bacon was
able to get a run on Chen, and stuck his nose underneath the Swiss Hutless
driver to take away 4th position. Chen held his ground and was able
to get back underneath Bacon going through turn 3 and into 4. Bacon would dive
in, potentially a little late, with a bold move going into turn 4, but once
again Chen held his ground. The 2 would once again race to the next corner neck
and neck. They would come up quickly on Ricketts heading into turn 5. Chen
stuck his nose under Ricketts, barely avoiding the hay bails, while Bacon
maneuvered to the outside. Slight contact was made and Ricketts bumped into
Bacon. All 3 would continue on, racing closely through the final corners but
Chen’s move would hold and he would take home the final podium spot. Ricketts
had an excellent weekend of racing, but it was not his day to be on the podium.
Hayner also had a strong showing, crossing the line with his 2nd
podium finish of the year. After starting in 4th, Hayner moved up 2
positions to claim the hard charger award. It was Crettaz that was the star of
the day though, taking his first victory of the season. Crettaz raced a strong
race, putting down fast lap after fast lap. With the field as tight as it was
for the entirety of the 16 lap race, it was imperative that drivers not make
mistakes in order to hold their positions. Crettaz certainly put in an
excellent drive making very few mistakes and is a deserving victor. Jason
Bunch, a newcomer to the series, had a tough day, eventually culminating in a
blown motor in the main. Bunch is a very fast and competitive racer and he will
look to challenge for the overall win at round #5. Yet again the Advanced class
proves the competitiveness of the Formula 100 Karting Series.
The racing that 100cc engines provide is truly excellent.
The OCGP 2012 provided excitement for fans and racers alike. Moving into the
next round, The Formula 100 Karting Series points chase is heating up, with
close battles in both the Intermediate and Advanced classes. The date and
location for round 5 is tentatively set for October 28th at Willow
Springs Kart Track in Rosamond, CA. A final announcement will be made shortly.
Be sure to check F100karters.com for more information on upcoming events and
for all the latest news and information on the Formula 100 Karting Series.
