TOPEKA, KS (October 1-14, 2007) -- The SCCA National Run-Off’s were held at Heartland Park, Topeka, Kansas. The events took place: Oct 1 – 7th with a Test and Tune week.  Followed by Oct 8 – 11th Qualifying.  Then racing Oct 12 – 14th. There were 611 cars that earned their way to the SCCA Nationals, in 25 different classes.

 

Out of 25 events held, Hoosier Racing Tire stood atop the podium 11 times. And on several occasions had a complete Hoosier Racing Tire podium finish (First, second and third place). *Out of the 25 Classes run there were 2 spec classes in which Hoosier did not participate.

 

In total, Hoosier Racing Tire achieved 36 podiums, 11 first place, 13-second place and 12 third place finishes.

 

Each group had a 20-minute warm up session each morning of their race, on the 2.5-mile road course. Each class had a 40-minute race or 18 laps, with the exception of Saturdays rain delay that made the races 30 minutes each. 

 

Race Results:

 

Friday October 12th:  The first race of the SCCA National events was the Sports 2000 (S2) which found Hoosier drivers No. 0, John Fergus II, of Powell, OH, in the victory circle with first place, and the fastest posted race lap of 1:34.448, and Mark Mercer of Aurora, CO in second.

 

The next time Hoosier drivers found themselves atop the podium was the 3rd race of the day.  The Showroom Stock C (SSC), with the No. 32, driven by John Heinricy of Royal Oak, MI.  Heinricy posted the fastest race lap with a 1:54.901.

 

Race number four on Friday was the H Production (HP).  A back and forth battle for the lead resulted in Hoosier drivers Brian Linn from Hermosa Beach, CA taking second and Ron Bartell from Madbury, NH taking third place.  Brian Linn posted the fastest race lap with a 1:47.825.

 

The fifth race of the day, the C Sports Racing (CSR) saw Hans Peter of Overland Park, KS giving Hoosier the top spot on the podium.  Ken Davis of Escondido, CA took the third place honors.  Hans Peter posted the fastest race lap with a 1:25.443.

  

In the 6th race of the day the Touring 1 (T1) Hoosier drivers again monopolized the podium with a clean sweep. In first place was Andrew Aquilante of Chester Springs, PA.  Second place was John Buttermore of Pontiac, MI and in third was Mike McGinley of Overland Park, KS.  Andrew Aquilante posted the fastest race lap with a 1:41.846.  Aquilante was also awarded the “Presidents Cup” for his impressive accomplishments.

 

The seventh race of the day hosted a 24 car field of formula fords.  Another close race featuring several lead changes.  Hoosier driver Tony Coello and Steve Oseth finished second and third respectively with Tony Coello posting the fastest race lap with a 1:37.025.

  

The final race for Friday saw yet another Hoosier driver podium sweep. First place was won by Brian Novak, from Dearborn, MI.  Second place went to Jason Knuteson of Danville, IN.  And rounding out the top three was James Libecco of Bedford, OH.  Jason Knuteson posted the fastest race lap with a 1:37.504.

 

Saturday morning October 13th the drivers found themselves in a rain delay and racing on a wet track. The delay caused Saturdays races to be shortened to 30 minutes and another day of racing found Hoosier drivers once again finding their way to victory circle.

 

Race number ten for the weekend was the Touring 3 (T3) and had the No. 27, Mazda RX-8 driven by Robert Huffmaster of Rochester Hill, MI out in front. Rick Gilhart in the Robert Davis Racing / Mothers Mazda RX-8 taking second place.

  

The next race of the day, the Formula Atlantics (FA) found the podium once again taken over by the purple Hoosier presence.  Coming in first was Hans Peter, of Overland Park, KS with a fastest race lap of 1:44.741.  Second was Tonis Kasements, of Mundelein, IL. And on the final, third step of the podium was Jon P Witherespoon, of Lincoln, NE. Witherspoon also received the Sunoco Hard Charger Award starting 13th and finishing in third place.

 

Next was the American Sedan (AS) race.  Won by Andrew McDermid, of Grand Ledge, MI.  Jim Wheeler of Lenexa, KS finished 3rd.  Hoosier driver John Heinricy posted the fastest race lap with a 1:52.788.

 

Amongst a very competitive G Production (GP) field, Hoosier Driver Chuck Mathis finished second and Andy Deatherage finished third.  Larry Gallagher finished fourth and received the Sunoco Hard Charger award.

 

The last podium top place finish, of the day, came for Hoosier with the Showroom Stock B Class (SSB) when the No. 8 driven by Kenneth Flory, of Commerce Township, MI took the win.  Toby Grahovec took the 3rd and final podium spot.  Ken Flory posted the fastest race lap with a 1:54.130. 

  

Sunday October 14th first win of the day found again another full Hoosier purple podium.  The Touring 2 (T2) race had the No. 35 driven by Don Knowles, of Pittsboro, NC receiving his 4th National Championship.  Followed by William Ziegler of Stamford, CT.  And then in third was Edward Zabinski.  Don Knowles posted the fastest race lap with a 1:45.468.

 

The E Production (EP) race showcased a fiercely competitive field of 36 cars.  Hoosier driver Tony Rivera took the second podium spot while Mike Sturm got the Sunoco Hard Charger award.

  

Later that afternoon Hoosier drivers once again took control of the podium when Formula Vee (FV) took to the track.  First place went to Stephen Oseth, of Leesburg, VA.  Second was taken by Michael Varacins, of Burlington, WI and third went to Bob Neumeister, of Pueblo, CO.  Fastest race lap was posted by winner Steve Oseth with a 1:49.306. 

The F Production (FP) race was yet another that included several lead changes.  Brian Linn topped the Hoosier driver’s with his second silver medal of the weekend.  For his fierce battles for the lead in both H Production and F Production, with the same car (different engines), Brian Linn was granted the coveted “Mark Donahue Award” by the Road Racing Driver’s Club (RRDC).

 

The D Sports Racing (DSR) is one of the fastest classes in SCCA Club Racing.  The speed showed as several battles for position ensued throughout the race.  Jean-Luc Liverato was the top finishing Hoosier driver ending up third.

 

The Formula Mazda (FM) race was a classic battle between a defending champion and rookie Sam Stuard from Shippensburg, PA.  In his fifth race ever in a Formula Mazda, Sam Stuard showcased his abilities by finishing an impressive 2nd place.

  

Hoosier Tire Midwest did a great job, covering almost 2 months of tire needs. They supplied a crew of 12 to 15 people with some people staying out from the Solo’s, and then more staff showing up as needed.  Hoosier Racing Tire also sent support for the events consisting of engineers, product managers and public relations personal to be on hand.

 

Hoosier Racing Tire is proud to be a tire supplier for the SCCA.  For more information about SCCA racing please check out www.scca.org.