NWFC at Mission July 28/29

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Registration is open for the Mission race weekend and we will have our own run group for 2 out of the 3 races.

https://www.motorsportreg.com/events...b-of-bc-257619

When registering choose NWFC as your class and this will register you for group 8 you will also have to send an email to the registrar
asking for an additional group 3 entry for SATURDAY as this will be our 3rd race for the weekend.

There is also a test day available on the Friday.

https://www.motorsportreg.com/events...-course-941085

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Drivers handbook has been sent out pm if you did not receive it.

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After 3 races in Spokane we have Russ Werner (35.5pts) leading the Championship over 2017 series Champion Wade Anderson (30.5pts) followed by 2015 Champion Greg Coffin (26pts) and 2016 Champion Gavin Aitken (25.5pts). But with current leader Russ Werner not attending the Mission races it leaves the door open for a new number 1 by the end of weekend.

The current betting line has 2016 series Champion Gavin Aitken moving into the overall lead after Mission with him being the current favorite at Mission overall and in the zetec class. The only hold up for Gavin could be the breaking in of a new motor after suffering a failure 2 weekends ago at another event here at Mission. His main challenge looks to be coming from another home town driver James Nadolny who has been flying this season at Mission setting a new Pinto powered FC lap record, a record formerly held by Gavin Aitken. Chasing the two local drivers for a spot on the podium will be Roger Smetaniuk but with Roger's motor going down at Spokane he will be changing cars for the event. Roger will be running in Brian Smetaniuk's #19 Mygale for the weekend so it might take a bit before he comes up to speed in the new car.

Steve Ross has shown he has the pace to reach the podium in Mission but lady luck has never been on his side as mechanical issues and the occasional spin have always kept it out of reach. If Steve can manage a clean run this weekend look for top 5 finishes and probably at least 1 podium. Another contender for that podium will be Keray Mcewan who has recently switched from his 96 Van Diemen (pinto) over to a 2003 zetec powered Van Diemen. This will only be his second event in the car but watch for him to get quicker and quicker as the weekend progresses. Greg Coffin is another driver who's Mission luck hasn't been that great and with his normal 99 Mygale Pinto out of action he will be bringing the 07 Mygale zetec out for it's first full run at Mission. We see him in the mix with Ross and Mcewan all weekend in what could be one of the closest battles out on track.

Glenn Yuen is coming off 2 Pinto class wins in Spokane leaving him 5th overall in the Championship just 1 point back of 3rd. Class wins could be a little more difficult at Mission with the pace that James Nadolny has been showing but Glenn seems to be the next fastest of the group so watch for some pinto podiums and possibly top 5 finishes over the 3 races. Glenn looks to be in tough with a couple of local racers that are new to the NWFC this season. Phil Roney has made the switch from sports racers into a 97 Van Diemen this season and has showed some good pace earlier this year watch for him to be in a close pack with Glenn and Daryle Redlin. Daryle has only just made it out on track 2 weekends ago at Mission but already was showing some speed as he is coming to grips with the #27 Kodiak Motorsports Van Diemen. Look for Daryle to make a move towards the top 5 by the end of the weekend if he can get by Glenn and Phil that is.

Scott Morton recovered well after some mechanical issues early on in Spokane bringing home 2 top 5 finishes by the end of the weekend. Scott has only been at Mission once before in his Van Diemen so he should be able to drop his lap times as he gets more familiar with the track. Watch for Scott to try and join the Yuen, Redlin, Roney battle in front of him. Defending Champ Wade Anderson's impressive podium run in the pinto class could be in jeopardy this weekend. The last time Wade finished of the podium in his class was a 4th place in Spokane in early 2017 but with a tight pinto field at Mission it could be a tough task. Wade will need to drop about 0.5sec off his time to get back in the hunt for a top 3 in pinto. He will also be chased by his two teammates while he is at it with Doug Connon having his first Mission weekend in his new 97 Van Diemen so Doug could be getting quicker as well. Jason Gillen started off 2018 well setting a new personal best at Spokane as he changed over from Avons to Pirelli in the off season but some late mechanical issues took him out of the final race limiting his points score. Look for some more personal bests from Jason as he chases his team Hot Potato teammates. Pat Wilson has made the change from pinto to zetec this season moving from a 97 Van Diemen over to a 99 Van Diemen Pat only has a few laps so far in the new car but has already started lowering his personal best so watch for Pat to join in the battle with Doug, Wade and Jason as he gets comfortable with the new ride.

A pair of wild cards round out the pack this weekend as we see the first appearance of Brad Smith since his class win at Castrol finishing of 2017. Brad hasn't raced at Mission for a number of years so it is a bit hard to say where he will work himself into the pack but we can easily see a top 7 finish if things are working well in the #62 Citation. The other unknown is Alan McColl as Alan has a ton of experience around Mission in his Tiga CF he will try and apply that knowledge to his newly aquired 96 Van Diemen. Alan has only had the car out for one session so far as engine issues held back some more serious running but watch for Alan to move through the field once he gets the #03 machine running at full song.

Pre Race Predictions

ZETEC
Gavin Aitken
Roger Smetaniuk
Steve Ross

PINTO
James Nadolny
Glenn Yuen
Phil Roney

Overall
Gavin Aitken
James Nadolny
Roger Smetaniuk

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Notes from the Friday test day.

Keray McEwan was getting faster in his new zetec before the tires in 3 removed a corner. Should be repaired and ready for Saturday morn.

2017 champ Wade Anderson has found a setup he likes and looks to move up thru the pack.

Steve Ross says the heating issues from Spokane are solved which could be real important this weekend with the heat.

Jason Gillen struggling with front end issues in his Van Diemen. They where still working on it last night.

Doug Connon didn't have much to say about the day so we assume he is ready to race.

Glenn Yuen says the heat is tough out there but all good on the car front as he looks for a spot on the Pinto podium.

Temps are going to be hot so lap times will probably be a bit slow. First session is around 10 pacific time.

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Qualy for group 8 NWFC only

Gavin Aitken
Roger Smetaniuk
Daryle Redlin
Steve Ross
Keray McEwan
Phil Roney
Scott Morton
Glenn Yuen
Wade Anderson
Greg Coffin
James Nadolny
Jason Gillen
Alan McColl
Doug Connon

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Qualy for group 3 mix class

Gavin Aitken
Roger Smetaniuk
Daryle Redlin
Scott Morton
Steve Ross
Keray Mcewan
Greg Coffin
Glenn Yuen
Alan McColl
Wade Anderson
Phil Roney
James Nadolny
Jason Gillen
Doug Connon

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An interesting race one with some spins some mechanical issues and a bunch of good racing.

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Gavin Aitken bounces back to win race 2. Defending Champ Wade Anderson's chances for a repeat looks to have ended with a suspension failure putting him into the turn 9 wall on the last lap.

Results
Gavin Aitken (z)
Roger Smetaniuk (z)
Daryle Redlin (p)
Scott Morton (z)
Steve Ross (z)
Phil Roney (p)
Glenn Yuen (p)
Keray Mcewan (z)
Doug Connon (p)
Jason Gillen (p)
Wade Anderson (p)
Alan McColl (p)
Greg Coffin (dns-gearbox)
James Nadolny (dns-headgasket)

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Sunday Qualy

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Another win for Gavin Aitken in Sundays Race

Gavin Aitken
Daryle Redlin
Keray Mcewan
Greg Coffin
Phil Roney
Brad Smith
Doug Connon
Jason Gillen
Scott Morton
Glenn Yuen
Steve Ross

DNS
Roger Smetaniuk - Gearbox
Alan McColl - Overheating Issue
Wade Anderson - Crash Damage
James Nadolny - Headgasket

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[Brad Smith]

Good photos Roger. Sorry I couldn't make the whole weekend, see you in Edmonton.

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Standings after Mission

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Race 1 Video

https://youtu.be/bUh6a87tQR0