F1600 Watkins Glen Masters Class Report
Watkins Glen, NY – During rounds four, five and six of the F1600 Formula F Championship Series Steve Bamford picked up Masters Class wins in both races one and two while Jim Goughary walked away the win in race three. The weekend at Watkins Glen was a competitive weekend for F1600 with lead changes and close finishes making up the storyline starting with race one up until the finish of race three.
Within the F1600 championship is a class all its own, the F1600 Masters Class. To be eligible for the Masters Class drivers must be over the age of forty. In addition to their own separate podium ceremony, Masters Class drivers have the ability to pick up double podium spots as they can win in both the race overall, as well as the Masters Class by itself.
Showing off the ability to double up on wins is Steve Bamford. Bamford took first in the Masters Class in race one only to finish first again in the Masters Class as well second overall in race two at Watkins Glen.
Mike Scanlan has also been moving up in the Masters Class division this season. Scanlan finished second in the Masters Class in race one. He then followed that with a third place finish in the Masters Class in race three.
“As for WGI, I had one of my better weekends in the series, picking up a pair of Masters podiums, with a second and a third and then cracking into the top ten overall on Sunday afternoon,” said Scanlan
“In race one, Foster and I had a race long battle, passing each other multiple times while staying in touch with the lead pack before I was able to get around him going into the bus stop on the last lap.”
“In a shortened race two Art Foster and Jim Goughary upped their games and drew away from me. Unable to match their pace I had heavy curb strike in turn one that put my Honda Fit ECU into limp mode but we were able to reboot it and clear the issue in time for race three. As it was much hotter by 4:30 it seemed the whole field was struggling with a greasy track on these new tires but I was able to hang on for strong finish. I was still unable to match Foster’s pace after getting separated from him in traffic early in the race,” continued Scanlan on his weekend at Watkins Glen.
“We are very much looking forward to VIR as the offseason mods we added to the car seem to have dramatically improved our straight line speed and high speed stability in the 014 Spectrum Honda,” Scanlan finished with his expectations for VIR.
Goughary was able to take a first place finish at Watkins Glen in race three as well as a third place finish in race two.
Art Foster also made the podium twice during the Watkins Glen weekend with a second place finishes in both races two and three despite mechanical issues he experienced.
“The highlight of Watkins Glen was another weekend of good racing. Had a low point with a mistake and bending some suspension,” said Foster. “Not the best we have performed there,” he continued. “Hopefully my vacation this week before VIR will do me some good.”
Sam Lockwood was also able to step on the podium with a third place finish in round four, race two of the weekend in his Raceworks Spectrum/Honda.
Rounds seven, eight, and nine of the F1600 Formula F Championship Series, as well as the Masters Class, will take place June 5-7 at Virginia International Raceway.
About F1600:
The F1600 Formula F Championship Series is an entry level pro series owned by Formula Race Promotions and sanctioned by SCCA Pro Racing. The Series features a wide variety of Formula F (formerly Formula Ford) chassis using both Honda Fit and Ford Kent engines. The 2015 schedule features seven points weekends and is expanding to a triple-header format for 21 total races, in addition to a winter test weekend in Palm Beach. A spec tire from Hoosier along with ample track time at all events provides a level playing field, attracting the latest aspiring drivers and savvy veterans from all over the globe. Learn more at www.f1600series.com.
Sources: F1600 Formula F Championship Series PR