CRDA - Shannonville Shootout
2008 F1200 SEASON OPENS IN HARD CHARGING STYLE!
Judging by the results of the recent Shannonville Shootout event, the driver who will be crowned the 2008 F1200 Champion will be anyone's guess. The season opener saw 3 different race winners, 2 fast paced rookies, and a batch of veterans all looking like they have an equal shot at this year's title.
2007 Champion Randy Smith, 2007 Rookie of the Year Andrew McMurray, and 2006 Champion Guy Bellingham, along with the hard charging 2007 rookie Michael Iamundi were likely very surprised to be amidst, if not behind, two unknown rookies as the weekend progressed; team mates Alex Ellis and Dylan Gibson.
Stormy skies and lightning caused a 30-minute rain delay for race one. The race was finally underway in very wet and miserable conditions when the green flag finally dropped but this didn't hinder the drivers from putting on a show for the fans the usual F1200 hard charging and exciting style!
Pole sitter Mike Iamundi managed to hold his lead for the first lap, only to slip back to 5th by mid race. The surprise of the day was rookie Alex Ellis. Ellis, after qualifying 4th, completely dominated the race after gaining the lead by lap 2 and driving away with a win by a margin of 18 seconds. Rookie Dylan Gibson, Andrew McMurray, Michael Iamundi, and Randy Smith, all of who traded positions on numerous occasions, pursued Ellis to the finish line but were never close enough to challenge.
The mid pack battles were very close and comprised of Bellingham, Rob Tronchi, and Phil Wang, with Greg Brenzil and Mike Rogers, a minute behind, and the balance of the field up to 2 minutes behind the hard charging Ellis who took the checkered on his inaugural F1200 race.
All bets were off for race two on Saturday morning as the tire killing track was dry and everyone knew that the series veterans were going to put pressure to rookies Ellis and Gibson on the front row. Veterans Smith and McMurray very quickly pulled out front but were unable to shake Ellis and Gibson. On lap 3 McMurray took the lead as Smith and Gibson swapped positions and Ellis began to drop back slightly while battling with Bellingham, who worked his way all through the field after going off track early in the race to create a two car mid pack battle that had the fans attention.
As the race progressed McMurray held ground and fended off attacks by not only the reigning 2007 Champ, but also the young Gibson. It looked as if McMurray was going to post his first win when coming into the last lap the very seasoned and crafty Smith pulled out in front, followed
closely by Gibson. At the flag it was Smith taking the win followed right behind by Gibson and McMurray, and Ellis overtaking Bellingham in a breathtaking move just two corners from the checkered flag. Rounding out the top 8 were Rogers, Eric Barrett, and Greg Brenzil.
The trophy race started at a frantic pace with Smith, McMurray, and the rookies Gibson and Ellis edging away from the mid pack on the back straight on lap 1. Ellis made a driving error into turn 15 on the first lap, spinning out after braking too deep into the corner. Ellis's spin allowed McMurray, Smith and Gibson to break away to put some distance between them and the rest of the field.
By mid race, McMurray's car had hooked up and in lap 7, challenged for the lead going into turn two, successfully overtaking both Smith and Gibson. Gibson would fight back and retake the lead into turn 7, only to lose his lead again to McMurray on corner 12. McMurray would drive a tidy race to the end, retaining the lead for the last laps of the race for his first ever F1200 win.
The hard charger award would go to Mike Iamundi who, after starting from the back of the grid would race his way to challenge for 4th place, setting the fastest lap of the weekend in the process.
Andrew McMurray - Winner Trophy Race
"I'm so happy to get my first ever win in the trophy race following up on our 2007 Rookie of the Year performance", said McMurray. "As a team we've improved in all areas and this win would not be possible without my father Tom McMurray and brother Jason McMurray making sure the car was in top condition. It's a great way to introduce our new sponsors for the 2008 season Hiker Enterprises and Warbo Thermal Products. Their equipment and support are already paying off."
Randy Smith - Winner Race 2
"For our first weekend out of the 2008 Season, the Head To Hoof Equine Supplement, Chemsynergy RTJ exceeded our expectations. We were running with a brand new aerodynamic body this year so we had been planning to work out some bugs. First event in the rain proved very exciting and conditions changed drastically throughout the race. The rookies, Alex Ellis and Dylan Gibson of TLM put on a driving clinic regarding car control in the wet. Race two proved to be a far more successful for the more patient amongst us. Andrew McMurray drove superb but seemed to loose grip in the later stages of the race which afforded me to take advantage and pull off my first win of 2008"
"Rookie" Alex Ellis - Winner Race 1
"It was a great weekend, I got my first win in my first open wheel race and that's more than I could ever have hoped for. The wet conditions in which I took the win were terrible, but I felt I stayed calm and composed in bringing the car around for the win. I know there were some unfortunate problems and mistakes in races 2 and 3, but I was still able to manage a 4th and that's more than enough for my rookie race. A big thanks to TLM Racing, my driving coach Randy Smith, and my tech Devan Matkovich for helping put a great car under me and to understand what I needed to do for my first F1200 race, as well as Ellis Engineering, Art Craft Kitchens, and Grote in guiding me into my maiden win."
"Rookie" Dylan Gibson - (3)- 2nd place finishes
"I would like to thank TLM Racing and my driving coach Randy Smith for a fast car, and clear strategy that produced consistent results all weekend. A special thanks to my tech Aaron Lang who helped me all the way through to the end and set up a podium car. A big thanks to Fasada Home Renovations, The Door Dude, and Grote for their contributions towards my 2008 season.
The F1200 series appears next at Mosport International Raceway on June 28 - 29.
PHOTOS COURTESY: Photo Arts International - Teresa Matkovich
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