Subscribe To the NEOHIO SCCA Newsletter!

Send me emails about

January 16, 2022

Hoosier Super Tour Sebring 2022: Sunday Notebook

Hoosier Super Tour Sebring 2022: Sunday Notebook

A Stormy Situation: Sunday morning’s weather included very heavy rains and some lightning, delaying the start of the day until approximately 10:30 and shortening the races to a timed 30-minute ordeal.

The weather would play a major factor in the day. For comparison, the quickest lap in Spec Miata during Saturday’s dry race was a 2:35.2 – on Sunday, that time dropped to 2:57.2. The conditions were, of course, treacherous at best and the Super Tour field handled it remarkably well.

Impressive Rookie Visit: Mateo Naranjo made an impressive appearance this weekend in a Rice Racing Formula F, taking home a pair of trophies – including one on Sunday morning in the rain.

The 15-year-old driver was making his first race appearance in a car, of any kind. The karting star got an offer he couldn’t refuse for the Hoosier Super Tour and made the most of it.

I’m very thankful to get this opportunity. I never imagined I’d walk away with two top threes, we weren’t expecting this but I’m really happy it happened.

Naranjo is committed to a season of karting, but may make some appearances in either a Spec Miata or Formula Continental with an eye on the future.

Wide Open Spaces: Tyler Gonzalez, the 17-year-old who made a name for himself with a pair of IMSA TCR class podium finishes in 2021, gave the Spec Miata race in the rain a different look than what is typically found.

Gonzalez opened up an 18 second lead in the wet conditions on Sunday before a yellow flag shortened the race. Gonzalez with run a Hyundai once again in IMSA competition this season, as well as IMSA’s Mazda MX-5 Cup championship for Copeland Motorsports.

The podium for Sunday’s Spec Miata race was impressive in it’s experience – or lack thereof. Gonzalez was joined by the old man of the group, 24-year-old Charles Mactutus, and 15-year-old Connor Zilisch.

As The Tide Turned: Despite the heavy rains in the morning, Group 4 and the big bore machines had reached a turning point on the track. As it turned out, the decision was clear – it was time for slick tires as the afternoon approached 2 p.m.

There were some that went on rain tires, but the puddles had dried up to the point that 30 minutes was too long. Those that went on slicks were the clear winners by the midpoint of the race. That included Jordan Bupp and Tim Kezman in GT1 and GT2, respectively, and held through the afternoon.

Against The Odds: Your personal favorite Sportsbook app would have likely been offering 100/1 odds this morning on any track records being set on Sunday after the morning deluge, but it happened in Group 5 in the afternoon.

A couple of youngsters etched their names in the record book, with Trevor Russell earning a Formula X track record with a lap of 2:09.363 during the race, while Owen McAllister ripped off a lap of 2:07.671 to leave his mark. Both 16-year-old drivers earned wins to go with the record.

Lead Swap: The dry line really opened up the racing in Touring 2, which swapped the lead like it was going out of style. Eventual winner Tim Kezman, teammate Mark Boden, and Scotty B. White all took turns out front of the class.

Kezman and Boden took their turn in a Porsche 911, while White – who quite possibly had the longest tow of the weekend, coming all the way from Washington to compete in the season opener – made the front in a Viper. Eric McCoy slipped his Porsche Cayman into the podium by the end of the race, finishing third behind Kezman and Boden.

Spec Racer Fun: When three cars break away from the Spec Racer Ford field, there’s no doubt what will happen – they’re going to go full go, without danger of the field catching up.

That’s what happened on Sunday for James Goughary, Brian Schofield and Russell Turner, who swapped the lead several times to end the weekend. Their battle was interrupted when a full course caution with seven minutes to go in the race, ending that battle and the weekend just as it was heating up (literally, on and off the track). Goughary was in front when the yellow flew, however, ending the weekend with his victory.

Race Winners: Provisional race results from Sunday’s Hoosier Super Tour at Sebring International Raceway with Class: Name, Hometown, Car follow.

American Sedan: Thomas West, Standish, Maine, Cadillac CTS-V
B-Spec: Corey Rueth, Manchaca, Texas, Mini Cooper
E Production: Maximilian Opalski, Conifer, Colorado, Mazda MX-5
F Production: Ken Kannard, Sebring, Florida, Mazda Miata
H Production: David Boles, Melbourne, Florida, Volkswagen Golf
Formula Atlantic: Nathan Byrd, Goodyear, Arizona, Elan Pro Mazda
Formula Continental: Doug Rocco, Sandisfield, Massachusetts, Van Diemen DP02/Ford
Formula Enterprises 2: Owen McAllister, Mooresville, North Carolina, Formula Enterprises/Mazda
Formula F: Hugh Esterson, Water Mill, New York, Mygale SJ13/Honda
Formula Vee: Chris Jennerjahn, Hartford City, Indiana, Vortech/Volkswagen
Formula X: Trevor Russell, Tucson, Arizona, Van Diemen RF06
GT-1: Jordan Bupp, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Chevrolet Camaro
GT-2: Tim Kezman, Franksville, Wisconsin, Chevrolet Corvette
GT-3: Richardo Hollingshead, Lake City, Florida, Mazda Miata
GT-Lite: Peter Shadowen, W Palm Beach, Florida, Honda CRX
Spec Miata: Tyler Gonzalez, St. Cloud, Florida, Mazda Miata
Spec Racer Ford: James Goughary, Jupiter, Florida, Spec Racer Ford
Prototype 1: Chip Romer, Lake Havasu City, Arizona, Elan DP02
Prototype 2: Sherman Chao, Palm Beach, Florida, Stohr WF1
Super Touring Lite: Danny Steyn, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Mazda MX-5
Super Touring Under: Axel Cabrera, Windermere, Florida, Honda Civic
Touring 1: Mark Boden, Buffalo Grove, Illinois, BMW M3
Touring 2: Tim Kezman, Franksville, Wisconsin, Porsche 911
Touring 3: Rob Hines, Arlington, Virginia, Nissan 370Z
Touring 4: Marc Cefalo, Swoyersville, Pennsylvania, Mazda MX-5

The Northeast Ohio SCCA is a regional chapter of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). We are Ohio’s home for every motorsports enthusiast

Join SCCA

All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2024 NEOHIO SCCA Powered by DevQ