Andrews Wins at VIR with Last Lap Move
Alton, VA – Scott Andrews took his fourth F1600 Formula F Championship Series win in a row, and second in two days at VIR going from third to first on the last lap. The Australian further extends his points lead with his fifth win in eight races, beating Ben Auriemma to the finish by .067 seconds. Andrew Hobbs finished third in the eighth race of the 2015 season.
Andrews battled off a trio of Pelfrey teammates in the closing stages of the race, as the lead group of F1600 cars wound itself down to five cars over 14 green flag laps.
“I was on the radio to the team asking for help with the yellow (Pelfrey) cars,” said Andrews, driving the No 94 Spectrum/Honda for Exclusive Autosport. “Thanks to everyone on the team and Spectrum for believing in me.
“It’s crazy pack racing and anything can happen. We’re doing a good job at the moment and need to keep our heads down and keep doing good work,” Andrews added.
Auriemma made it two second places in two days at VIR.
“I tried to line up the draft on the last lap and thought I had it down the back straight. I didn’t quite get it, but I’m happy with P2 and it was really close at the line,” Auriemma explained.
Hobbs improved upon his fourth place run on Saturday to complete the podium for Pelfrey in the No. 83 Mygale/Honda.
“It was just incredible racing,” said Hobbs. “It came down to Ben, Scott and I, we all had a shot to win this on the back straight on the last lap. There were some close moments. The Pelfrey guys gave me an awesome car yet again.”
Robert Megennis made it three Pelfrey cars in the top four, while Steve Bamford took the Masters Class win and figured into the lead group by completing the top five.
Thomas McGregor was a fixture at the front of the race before going off-track, going from the lead to 12th, and then back to finish sixth in an impressive recovery drive.
More recovery drives came in the form of Austin Mack and Jordan Cane, who went from the back of the grid to seventh and eighth by the checkered flag.
Michai Stephens and Art Foster completed the top ten.
Of note, Skylar Robinson started the race from pole and led early, before contact with Andrews demoted him to a 12th place finish in the No. 12 K-Hill Motorsports Mygale/Honda.
With race three’s order set on fast lap times, the starting lineup will be: McGregor, Bamford, Robinson, Hobbs, Megennis, Andrews, Auriemma and Mack in the top eight positions.
Will Harvey and Jim Goughary did not start the race after both pulled off with mechanical issues during Saturday’s event.
Full results are available on www.F1600Series.com under the results tab.
The final F1600 Formula F Championship Series race of the weekend at VIR takes place later on Sunday, and is round nine and the 21-race 2015 campaign.
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: Formula Race Promotions PR