BRASELTON, Ga. (RacingWire) – Spec Racer Ford, the most popular class in the Sports Car Club of America for most of its lifespan, celebrated its 25th anniversary April 10th and 11th at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga.
The weekend's festivities included the debut of the 2010 SCCA Pro Spec Racer Ford series. Other races on the schedule were rounds one and two of the SCCA Pro Formula Enterprises series, two USERA Spec Racer Challenge races, the 20th Anniversary Shelby Can-Am races and a VIP race featuring drivers and others instrumental in the history of the Spec Racer Ford class.
It was a fantastic weekend of racing and renewing old acquaintances. More than 150 entrants contested the weekend's races.
Brian Schofield (Lakeland, Fla.) swept rounds one and two of the SCCA Pro Spec Racer Ford series.
In Saturday's race Schofield and second place finisher Tray Ayers (Woodstock, Ga.) came out from under the turn 11 bridge on the last lap side-by-side with Schofield taking the lead for the final time in turn 12.
“I've raced with these guys a lot,” said Ayers. “I knew Brian was going to do that but I had to try. He's the best at the pass back, I gave him my best shot and came in second. I can't complain.”
Time and again drivers spoke of how great the event was.
“This is a great event," said Schofield, "we're just having a blast this weekend.”
Jean-Luc Liverato (Alpharetta, Ga.) finished third in round-one, “racing against these guys at this 25th Anniversary of Spec Racer Ford, you've got guys from all over the country, this is one of the best turnouts, it was a great race.”
Schofield's sweep puts him atop the points standings but he probably won't be there for long. Schofield said on Sunday he won't be able to compete in all the series races, which will likely eliminate him from championship contention.
Nick Evans (Powell, Ohio) and Scott Rettich (Oxford, Ohio) took rounds one and two of the SCCA Pro Formula Enterprises series. Rettich's win launched him to the top of the 2010 standings with Matthew Mair (Melbourne, Fla) and Matt Schnieder (Lexington, Ky) round out the top three in the point standings.
The USERA Spec Race Challenge races had the largest fields with more than 70 entrants for each race. Jason Barfield (Granville, Ohio) won both USERA races with Keith Scharf (St. Louis, Mo.) finishing 2ndrd on Sunday. on Saturday and 3
Scharf, who prior to the weekend hadn't driven a race car of any kind in eight years finished on the podium in all three races he contested.
The Spec Racer Ford VIP race was the highlight of the weekend. The race included national champions and people instrumental in the creation of the class. Nick Craw, who was president of the SCCA when Sports Renault was launched, drove a Spec Racer for the first time in the VIP race. The race was won by two-time SCCA National Champion Richard Spicer (Laurel, Md).
“For me, the highlight was the VIP Driver’s Race Saturday afternoon where many of the people responsible for the conception and development of the Spec Racer were able to enjoy the results of their work,” said USERA Director of Competition and event organizer Ken Grammer.
The event also served as the 20th anniversary party for the Shelby Can-Am class. While there aren't many Shelby Can-Am cars actively racing, those who own the cars are extremely loyal and passionate about the class.
The USERA Historic races for Shelby Can-Am cars were swept by Dalton Zehr (Daytona Beach, Fla.). Racing legend Elliot Forbes-Robinson competed in Saturday's Can-Am race. Forbes-Robinson test drove the Shelby Can-Am prior to the cars launch. He dropped out of the race with a broken CV joint.
“The weekend lived up to my hopes for both commemorating this great accomplishment for the Spec Racer and for our customers to experience a unique event.” said Erik Skirmants, SCCA Enterprises President and CEO. “Even just watching the racers enjoy the seemingly endless track time was exhausting; their satisfaction from enjoying their passion was made possible only through the most extreme efforts of the hard working crews and event officials & workers. The memories that everyone will have along with the new connections and many reunions witnessed were fitting for the greatest spec class ever created.”
“It was an honor to be selected to organize such an historic weekend,” Grammer said. “What has always drawn us to the Spec Racer community is the bond the drivers build over years of racing together, and that was clearly apparent this weekend as we had past and present drivers from all parts of the country coming together to celebrate not only the Spec Racer, but the community that they have built around the Spec Racer.”
