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| January 09, 2009 News |
| EFCN Top-10: Formula Ford |
 | Conor Daly ended the Ontario Formula Ford Challenge season with five wins and the Rookie of the Year award
(Photo: Scott Stiff - never2fast.com) |
1. Conor Daly
Brian Graham Racing – Team USA/Dempsey Racing
Walter Hayes Trophy Grand Final winner, 2nd in Ontario Formula Ford Challenge
6 wins
For Conor Daly, the 2008 race season was exactly what many young drivers dream about when they get behind the wheel. In addition to capturing the Skip Barber National title, the second-generation race pilot was a force to be reckoned with in the Formula Ford ranks. Taking part in the competitive Ontario Formula Ford Challenge, Daly was a title contender right from day one in his Van Diemen RF00. While the Indiana native ultimately came up just short, finishing second, he scored five wins en route to Rookie of the Year honors. It was, however, in November when Daly solidified his position as one of the top young up-and-coming open-wheel drivers in North America when he bettered over 100 other FF1600 pilots to win the prestigious Walter Hayes Trophy in England as a member of the Team USA Scholarship program. In 2009, Daly will race full-time in the Star Mazda Championship as part of the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Ladder system.
 | | Chris Keller secured the SCCA Formula Ford National Championship title in his first-ever visit to the Runoffs (Photo: eFormulaCarNews.com - Al Craighead) |
2. Chris Keller
Porter Racing
SCCA National Champion, 4th in SCCA Northern Pacific Division
5 wins
Chris Keller may have started 2008 as an unknown in junior formula car racing, but ended it as a driver worth keeping an eye on. A member of the Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle Driver Development program, the New Jersey driver not only showed good speed in his first season of SCCA Club Racing National competition, but the ability to win races, visiting victory lane five times in his Swift DB6. It was at the year-end National Championship Runoffs where Keller made his mark, winning both the pole position and the race in Topeka. Remaining in the Ron Sutton program, Keller will make the switch to oval racing next season, taking part in the NASCAR American Modified series.
 | Six wins in 2008 propelled Matt White to his first Ontario Formula Ford Challenge title
(Photo: Scott Stiff - never2fast.com) |
3. Matt White
Mortimer Racing
Ontario Formula Ford Challenge Champion, 2nd in EFCN CanAm Cup
6 wins
10th in 2007 EFCN Formula Ford Top-10
This past season proved to be a championship-winning affair for Canadian Matt White. Returning to the Ontario Formula Ford Challenge series in 2008, the Toronto native’s goal from day one was to win the series title. Combining good speed with strong racecraft behind the wheel of his Van Diemen RF00, the former pro FF1600 driver accomplished his goal via a series-high six wins. Given White’s narrowly missed adding the eFormulaCarNews.com CanAm Cup to his trophy case, finishing second in a superb race, expect him to be back behind the wheel of a Formula Ford in 2009, with the goal sweeping the honors in Ontario.
 | Jeremy Treadway secured the SCCA Northeast Division title via six wins
(Photo: eFormulaCarNews.com - Al Craighead) |
4. Jeremy Treadway
Treadway Motorsports
SCCA Northeast Division Champion, 3rd at National Championship Runoffs
6 wins.
After showcasing his talent in older cars the past few years, Jeremy Treadway finally made the move to a more advanced FF1600 in 2008, and he promptly made his mark. Racing in the always-competitive SCCA Club Racing Northeast Division, the New York driver proved virtually unbeatable, winning an impressive six races. Not surprisingly, he was among those expected to challenge at the Runoffs, however, engine problems hampered his efforts until race day. In an impressive drive come race time, Treadway advanced from mid-pack to a podium finish. Many expect Treadway will be back in the cockpit of his Swift DB6 in 2009, once again challenging for both Division and National top honors.
 | Shane Jantzi won the EFCN CanAm Cup for a third consecutive year in 2008
(Photo: eFormulaCarNews.com - Al Craighead) |
5. Shane Jantzi
Jantzi Motorsports
EFCN CanAm Cup winner, 4th in Ontario Formula Ford Challenge
2 wins
4th in 2007 EFCN Formula Ford Top-10
The 2008 season proved to be one of ups and downs for Shane Jantzi. The Canadian FF1600 standout spent most of the season trying to get his Van Diemen RF02 working to his liking, chasing the two title leaders in the Ontario Formula Ford Challenge (White and Daly). Despite visiting victory lane just once in series competition, Jantzi remained the driver to beat entering the year-end eFomulaCarNews.com CanAm Cup trophy race. Showcasing why he was won four FF1600 titles over the past several years, Jantzi emerged from a race-long battle with a third consecutive event win. When the racing action resumes in 2009, Jantzi will likely again be racing in the OFFC, with an eye on regaining the championship crown and retaining his CanAm Cup trophy.
 | Josef Newgarden became the first North American to win the famed Formula Ford Festival
(Photo: Jonathan Hatfield - jdhmotorsportphotography.com) |
6. Josef Newgarden
Brian Graham Racing – Team USA/Dempsey Racing
Formula Ford Festival winner
1 win
5th in 2007 EFCN Skip Barber National Top-10
Josef Newgarden may have only contested a limited number of races behind the wheel of a Formula Ford in 2008, but he certainly showed why he is considered a rising talent in open-wheel racing. While the driver impressed many in his class debut in the Ontario Formula Ford Challenge, it was as a member of the Team USA Scholarship program driving a Ray GRS07 that he really made his mark. Racing at the historic Brands Hatch Circuit in the fall, Newgarden became the first North America to win the famed Formula Ford Festival, edging many of Europe’s top FF1600 pilots in the Kent class. With this success, combined with a strong performance at the Walter Hayes Trophy, Newgarden will remain in Europe in 2009, taking part in the British Formula Ford Championship.
 | Alex Schutte won all five races he contested in the SCCA Northern Pacific Division
(Photo: eFormulaCarNews.com - Al Craighead) |
7. Alex Schutte
JBF Racing
SCCA Northern Pacific Division Champion
5 wins
Alex Schutte enjoyed what can only be described as highly successful first season of SCCA Club Racing National competition. Piloting a Swift DB6, the California native battled several top drivers, including the eventual National Champion throughout the season, eventually earning the Northern Pacific Division championship title via five wins. Schutte was among those to watch at the Runoffs as well, and if not for early race contact from another car, he may have challenged for the win or a top-three finish. While open-wheel fans are hoping to see Schutte back behind the wheel of a FF1600 in 2009, it appears he will join the USAC oval ranks next season.
 | Doug Hobby scored his second New England Challenge FF1600 title via four wins
(Photo: Ken Brown) |
8. Doug Hobby
Hobby Racing
New England Challenge Formula Ford Champion
4 wins
Looking back on the 2008 campaign, Doug Hobby will no doubt be pleased with what he accomplished. Racing in the Formula Ford-exclusive New England Challenge, the Connecticut-based driver was the race pilot to beat. Hobby improved on his runner-up finish in last season’s title chase by scoring his second series title in ’08, taking the checkered flag on four occasions in his Swift DB1. Hobby will once again be racing in the FF1600 class in 2009, taking part in both the New England Challenge and SCCA National competition.
 | Bob Hatle won eight Club Ford races to win his 2008 Formula Ford "the Series" title
(Photo: Wayne Kitano photography) |
9. Bob Hatle
Hatle Racing
Formula Ford “The Series” Club Ford Champion
8 wins
For Bob Hatle, 2008 was not only a race-winning season, but also a championship-winning affair. Taking part in the West Coast-based Formula Ford “the Series”, the Crossle driver was the man to beat in the well-subscribed Club Ford class. Come season’s end, Hatle had captured his first series title via an impressive eight wins. Hatle is schedule to return to Formula Ford “the Series” in 2009.
 | Lew MacKenzie captured a second consecutive Ontario Formula Ford Challenge title this past season
(Photo: Scott Stiff - never2fast.com) |
10. Lew MacKenzie
Mortimer Racing
Ontario Formula Ford Challenge B Class Champion
6 wins
For a second consecutive year, Lew MacKenzie ended 2008 as a series champion. A longtime FF1600 competitor in Canada, the Ottawa native once again proved to be the driver to beat in the B Class of the Ontario Formula Ford Challenge. MacKenzie battled a good selection of drivers week after week, eventually captured the title via a class-high six wins. The former head of the Canadian military is expected to be racing in the Ontario Formula Ford Challenge again next year in a yet to be determined car.
Honorable Mentions:
Allen Wheatcroft - CenDiv. East vs. West Challenge Champion (2 wins)
Lawrence Hendrickson - SCCA Southeast Division Champion (2 wins)
Russell Ruedisueli - SCCA Great Lakes Division Champion (4 wins)
Tim Kautz - SCCA Central Division Champion (2 wins)
Gerald Barrett - SCCA Midwest Division Champion (4 wins)
Mike Sauce - SCCA Southwest Division Champion (4 wins)
Bill Kephart - SCCA Rocky Mountain Division Champion (7 wins)
Stan Townes - SCCA Southern Pacific Division Champion
Phil Kingham - EWC Club Ford Champion (6 wins)
Mike Lee – Ontario Formula Ford Challenge Club Ford Champion (10 wins)
Todd Strong - FF “The Series” Vintage Champion (3 wins)
Josh Pitt - FF “The Series” Formula Ford Champion (7 wins)
Tonis Kasemets – 2nd at SCCA National Championship Runoffs
Past EFCN Top-10 lists can be found HERE |
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