Official Discussion Thread - Rounds 11 & 12 - Mid-Ohio

Zach Wenzel · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 32

Hello everyone,

The Indy Lights will take to the track at 9:40 a.m. local time.

We'll keep you updated on notes around the paddock along with results.
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Zach Wenzel
eFormulaCarNews.com
Trackside Reporter

Zach Wenzel · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 32

The Indy Lights' first practice session is now complete with Andretti-Green driver Raphael Matos topping the charts.

The only incident to report was Sean Guthrie's trip into the gravel trap in the final 10 minutes or so of the session. The car was not damaged and, with a tow out, he was back underway.

Practice 1 Results
1. Raphael Matos 109.564mph
2. Johnny Reid 109.055
3. Daniel Herrington 108.719
4. Arie Luyendyk Jr 108.690
5. Richard Antinucci 108.355
6. Bobby Wilson 108.273
7. Wade Cunningham 108.214
8. Franck Perera 108.150
9. Jeff Simmons 107.950
10. Logan Gomez 107.751
11. Andrew Prendeville 107.705
12. JR Hildebrand 107.589
13. Robbie Pecorari 107.523
14. Cyndie Allemann 107.336
15. Pablo Donoso 107.330
16. Ana Beatriz 107.298
17. James Davison 107.010
18. Dillon Battistini 106.691
19. Sean Guthrie 106.630
20. Mitch Cunningham 106.021
21. Brent Sherman 105.586
22. Mark Olson 102.366

Obviously the Panther cars are way off pace. I will be working on trying to find out why.

The next time the cars will be on track is for their second and final practice sessions. It is scheduled to get underway at 2:25p.m.
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Zach Wenzel
eFormulaCarNews.com
Trackside Reporter

Allan Craighead · Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:51 am Post subject:

Thanks for the times Zach.

While I'm not there, it would appear that the Panther guys are struggling to find the right setup for the road courses, after struggling at the Glen as well. That will be key at Mid-Ohio, as its a highly technical track.

Cheers,
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Allan Craighead
eFormulaCarNews.com Managing Editor
eKartingNews.ca Managing Editor
eSportsRacer.com Managing Editor
(226) 808-9472 Cell
acraighead@howdenmediagroup.com

Zach Wenzel · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 32

Sorry for the delay. Was suffering from (what I hope were) minor computer problems.

Now, without further delay, the times from this afternoon's practice session.

Guthrie Racing's Franck Perera was quickest this time around. Although fastest this session, the track had been losing its grip through the course of the day as the heat and humidity intensified, Perera's time was not faster that Raphael Matos's morning time.

Practice 2 Results
1. Franck Perera 108.523 mph
2. Raphael Matos 108.287
3. Johnny Reid 108.158
4. Andrew Prendeville 108.074
5. Daniel Herrington 107.797
6. Arie Luyendyk Jr 107.670
7. Richard Antinucci 107.494
8. Jeff Simmons 107.366
9. Pablo Donoso 107.349
10. James Davison 107.310
11. Ana Beatriz 106.966
12. Robbie Pecorari 106.881
13. JR Hildebrand 106.532
14. Dillon Battistini 106.246
15. Sean Guthrie 106.057
16. Wade Cunningham 106.037
17. Bobby Wilson 105.847
18. Mitch Cunningham 105.554
19. Logan Gomez 105.480
20. Cyndie Allemann 105.473
21. Brent Sherman 104.641
22. Mark Olson 100.796

As the times show, Panther Racing does (like Al said) seem to be suffering from set-up problems.

Indy Lights next take to the track tomorrow morning for their sole qualifying session. The cars are scheduled to be on track at 11:00a.m. local time.

Check back for updates throughout the course of the weekend.
_________________
Zach Wenzel
eFormulaCarNews.com
Trackside Reporter

Zach Wenzel · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 32

The Indy Lights' sole qualifying session for this weekend's double-header is now complete. Raphael Matos again showed his road racing expertise as he took the pole for for this evening's race.

James Davison lost his best lap time as he brought out a full course caution towards the end of the session. He will start tenth as a result.

Qualifying Results
1. Raphael Matos 111.135mph
2. Franck Perera 110.370
3. Johnny Reid 110.342
4. Richard Antinucci 110.300
5. Arie Luyendyk Jr 110.111
6. Bobby Wilson 109.635
7. Wade Cunningham 109.634
8. Daniel Herrington 109.498
9. JR Hldebrand 109.492
10. James Davison 109.388
11. Robbie Pecorari 109.338
12. Jeff Simmons 109.234
13. Andrew Prendeville 109.159
14. Logan Gomez 108.875
15. Dillon Battistini 108.701
16. Pablo Donoso 108.669
17. Sean Guthrie 108.606
18. Cyndie Allemann 108.424
19. Ana Beatriz 108.143
20. Mitch Cunningham 107.187
21. Brent Sherman 106.105
22. Mark Olson 101.343

Full report to come.
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Zach Wenzel
eFormulaCarNews.com
Trackside Reporter

Zach Wenzel · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 32

Good evening everyone,

The Indy Lights have just completed the first race of this weekend's double header. And, no surprise, Raphael Matos was victorious.

A full report is to come.

Race 1 Results (Official)
1. Raphael Matos 51:00.9047
2. Franck Perera +4.2603
3. Richard Antinucci +11.0992
4. Johnny Reid +30.3922
5. JR Hildebrand +32.2972
6. Jeff Simmons +43.3716
7. James Davison +45.6621
8. Arie Luyendyk Jr +46.1877
9. Andrew Prendeville +55.9601
10. Pablo Donoso +56.4703
11. Bobby WIlson +60.7012
12. Wade Cunningham +68.9204
13. Sean Guthrie +71.9459
14. Ana Beatriz +75.8462
15. Mitch Cunningham +1 lap
16. Brent Sherman +1 lap
17. Cyndie Allemann +2 laps
18. Dillon Battistini +2 laps
19. Mark Olson +3 laps
20. Logan Gomez (Mechanical)
21. Daniel Herrington +25 laps
22. Robbie Pecorari (Mechanical)

Race 2 starts at 10:35 local time on Sunday.
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Zach Wenzel
eFormulaCarNews.com
Trackside Reporter

Zach Wenzel · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 32

Just a note from the warm-up session this morning.

With about 4 minutes left in the session, Richard Antinucci and Raphael Matos came together in turn 7. Matos' car suffered minor suspension damage, and the yellow brought the session to an end.

Could it be foretelling of what's to come later this morning?
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Zach Wenzel
eFormulaCarNews.com
Trackside Reporter

Zach Wenzel · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 32

For added dramatics, why not throw in a little rain?

There is heavy rain in the county next to Lexington and it's heading towards Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

Don't be surprised if weather plays a deciding role in today's race.
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Zach Wenzel
eFormulaCarNews.com
Trackside Reporter

Zach Wenzel · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 32

It is pouring here at the track.

The cars are still being held in pitlane while the crews mount the rain tires.
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Zach Wenzel
eFormulaCarNews.com
Trackside Reporter

Zach Wenzel · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 32

After a bit of a rain delay, the cars are now on track. As much as I would love to have pictures of the cars throwing up rooster tails, my camera went down yesterday. So, apologies for that ahead of time.

On a side note, Brent Sherman spun on the opening pace lap. He got the car turned around and rejoined the field.
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Zach Wenzel
eFormulaCarNews.com
Trackside Reporter

Zach Wenzel · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 32

This was a wild one.

1. Davison
2. Wade Cunningham
3. Donoso
4. Allemann
5. Beatriz

Full results as well as a report to follow once this mess gets sorted out.
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Zach Wenzel
eFormulaCarNews.com
Trackside Reporter

Allan Craighead · Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 9:25 am Post subject:

Hi gang,

Round 12 may have been the wildest race I've seen in a long long time. I believe all but maybe 2-3 cars spun in treacherous wet conditions. Jonny Reid was the driver to beat most of the race and likely should have won, but he mistakenly pulled into the pits just prior to checkered flag, giving James Davison his first series win. More soon.

Cheers,
_________________
Allan Craighead
eFormulaCarNews.com Managing Editor
eKartingNews.ca Managing Editor
eSportsRacer.com Managing Editor
(226) 808-9472 Cell
acraighead@howdenmediagroup.com

Zach Wenzel · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 32

Well, here are the full results as promised.

As Al and I said, this race was chaotic. And that's putting it mildly.

Race 2 Results
1. James Davison
2. Wade Cunningham
3. Pablo Donoso
4. Cyndie Allemann
5. Ana Beatriz
6. JR Hildebrand
7. Sean Guthrie
8. Andrew Prendeville
9. Johnny Reid
10. Brent Sherman
11. Arie Luyendrk JR
12. Mitch Cunningham
13. Robbie Pecorari
14. Richard Antinucci
15. Daniel Herrington
16. Logan Gomez
17. Mark Olson
18. Raphael Matos
19. Dillon Battistini
20. Franck Perera
21. Jeff Simmons
22. Bobby Wilson

Times were unavailable as of this posting.

Full report to follow.
_________________
Zach Wenzel
eFormulaCarNews.com
Trackside Reporter