Andrews Powers to F1600 Race One Victory from Last
Lexington, OH – Scott Andrews took his sixth win in 10 F1600 Formula F Championship Series starts this season by going from last to first at Mid-Ohio on Saturday afternoon. Andrews qualified his Spectrum on pole but was forced to start last, carving his way through the field, benefitting from a mid-race caution, and going from third to first on the last lap to win over Andrew Hobbs, Thomas McGregor and Skylar Robinson.
After taking his second pole position of the season, Andrews was embarrassingly forced to start last after he arrived late to the F1600 grid. By the second lap, he had moved his Exclusive Autosport Spectrum from 20th to 14th. By a mid-race caution, he was six seconds out of the lead and the first of the second grouping of cars in sixth overall. He entered the last lap in third before finding his way to the front of the field just in time to see the checkered flag.
“I don’t think my team manager is going to be happy with me being late to the false grid,” said Andrews. “Massive thanks to the Exclusive Autosport team and Spectrum, they gave me the car that we were able to do it with. We were very lucky with that caution obviously; it got me into the draft.”
The Australian driver extends his points lead, and has been on the podium in nine of 10 races thus far in his first F1600 Series season.
The Team Pelfrey Mygale/Honda of Hobbs was second, with laps led during the race, but missing out on his first F1600 win.
“I thought we had the win, it’s great to come home second … it was a fantastic race,” said Hobbs. “With the lack of passing opportunities everyone showed a lot of respect.”
McGregor took the second and final Exclusive entry to a podium finish in third after running in the top five for the duration of the race.
“It was crazy and a lot of fun, some of the best racing we’ve ever seen, the Series has to be proud of this,” said McGregor.
Finishing fourth, Robinson had the pace to win in the No. 12 K-Hill entry, but moved from second to fourth on the last lap. Robinson led the most laps of any driver during the race.
“We had the car to win and the pace, it was super quick,” said Robinson. “And everyone can hang with you in the draft which can get frustrating at times. I felt I did all I could. It’s tough to be one of the quickest guys out and not come away with the win.”
Robinson, however, set yet another fast race lap and will start from pole for Sunday morning’s second F1600 race of the weekend alongside Ben Auriemma.
Robert Megennis followed his podium performances at Watkins Glen and VIR to complete the top five for Team Pelfrey, after being fastest in Friday practice.
Jordan Cane, Ben Auriemma, David Grant, Austin Mack and Kyle Kirkwood completed the top ten in a traditionally competitive Mid-Ohio event – with the run to the checkered flag being a frantic fight among the entire field.
An 11th place finish gave Jim Goughary the Masters Class win after a rough season for the veteran.
Other news included VIR winner Steve Bamford, who spun in the late stages of the race from a potential top five result.
Full results and Sunday morning’s starting grid are available on www.F1600Series.com under the results tab.
Sunday continues at Mid-Ohio with two F1600 rounds, with rounds 11 and 12 of the 2015 season taking place.
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: Monty Mathisen/F1600 Formula F Championship Series PR