Inaugural 2006 F2000 Championship Series

[Michael Rand]

With the inaugural F2000 Championship Series event just a few short weeks away series organizers are pleased with the initial response as entries are arriving on a daily basis.
To date the following competitors are expected at VIR on April 14-16 for Rounds 1 and 2 of the 2006 championshp.

From GTP Motorsports--
Matt McDonough
Tom Fatur
John Levy
Peter Gonzalez
Brian Cleary

From St Clair Motorsports--
Bill Jordan
Mark Defer
Lewis Cooper Jr

From ANZE Engineering--
Robert Wright
Alan Guibord Sr
Jeremy Treadway who will be questing in Al Guibord Jrs car as Al awaits the birth of his second child

From R-Sport--
Paul Reiffle
Michael Mazziotti
tentatively Scott Gesford

From Kevin Firleins KFast ---
Rob Nicholas

Independents --
Chris Fahan
Chas Shaffer
Craig Clawson
Mike Hummel
Kevin Boeckle

With several others awaiting completion of winter rebuilds or fresh motors the entry is expected to reach mid-20's.
Anyone interested is urged to call the series office at 860-364-5252 and to visit the series website, www.f2000series.com.

[stonebridge20]

1. Treadway

2.Fahan

3.Shaffer


Agnif

[racecr]

Mcdonough was quoted stating " This is going to be like taking candy from a baby"

[size=2]Matt by 20 seconds if he doesn't lap the field. [/size]

[stonebridge20]

If Treadway gets a good car........He won't be touched! If it rains he won't be touched even in a bad car!

Agnif

[Douglas Kniffin]

1) Matt

2) Chris Fahan

3) Mark Defer

[racecr]

Sorry, Matt Mcdoungh

he was the one on the podiumn last year in the cooper series

[Matt M.]

Matt who?

Now...... That hurts.....
JT can be quick - but its a new deal against some old hands.... We'll see.

I'm out to have some fun with the training wheels on and save some $$ over the "other" series.... Well, that and win every race going away........

Go ahead - try to take my $$$$ - Its mine - all mine!!! (AH HA HA HA)

Fast Matt "Fastest North American in Pro F2000 last year by FCM" McDonough

[stonebridge20]

[size=2] Matt, It's all in good fun. You know it's been a long winter up here in the NE! [/size]
[size=2]You should be proud to have been on the Cooper series podium. I'm sure you'll be proud to be on the podium in the US F/2000 series.......one step down from Treadway ! [/size]
[size=2][/size]
[size=2]Agnif[/size]

[JByers]

My prediction<

Zetec's running 6" & 8" wheels and current FC wings and diffusers will walk the field, earning an early comp adjustment.

Race 1
1st - Matt
2nd - Fahan
3rd - Chas

Race 2
1st - Matt
2nd - Treadway
3rd - Jordan

[Al Craighead]

Hey Jason,

Picking Matt over your St. Clair teammates? You better watch your back while having a cold beverage under the awning

It will be interesting to see how the Zetec and Pinto cars compare under the rules package. Sucks first race is Easter weekend, as might have made the drive down to watch.

Cheers,

[Matt M.]

I hear ya Mike..... no worries - I'm always about fun when it comes to racing...

I should say thanks to Doug, Jason and Stinky Bill (racecr).......

Like Jason said - I think if there is a full blown Zetec FC it will be quick, at first.....I'm going down in pro trim - and try to sandbag everyone
Whatever happens, happens - I'm there to support what I think is a smart series in $$$ challenging times.... Its a strong field to start and hopefully it grows into a big series. I know that adjustments will be made to keep it even. Looking forward to the weekend.

Thanks to GTP Motorsports, Stephens Transport, Bank of Phillips and TASCTECH.COM Oh, sorry got ahead of myself - again......

[Michael Rand]

Hey Al Craighead, and all the teams and drivers, and maybe more importantly, the families. We felt VIR was a significant enough facility that we really wanted to run there and this date was simply a good fit in the schedule.
Unfortunately, it is Easter weekend. We know that fact is keeping some expected competitors away, that and the fact we, the partners and staff of the F2000 Championship Series, are an unknown quantity at this point.
We believe we will not disappoint and welcome all to run withus as your schedule allows.
Thanks to all those who are coming to the inaugural event, it takes a leap of faith [on Easter ?] and we appreciate your participation.
Mike Rand

[JByers]

Matt,
When was the last time you drove a racecar anything less than 110%? Instead of sandbagging, why don't you start from the back of the grid, it will be alot more fun for you that way.

[Brian Graham]

If a Cooper series compliant car showed up and ran the 8 and 10 inch Hankook's and the applicable restrictor, does the ECU need to be remapped? Is Matt the only car running the 8's and 10's, or is he even running them?
Being a big Fahan fan for long time I will stay true and add to the podium Rob Nicholas (once he figures out the car he is a contender) and then as toss up between Defer and Schafer. I would pick Matt but with all the long straights at VIR, big tires, and a restrictor he will get eaten alive in a straight line. Brian.

[Douglas Kniffin]

They are using the Pacific F2000 equalization rules so a Cooperseries Zetec with a remapped ECU and air restrictor should be pretty fair competition for a conventional FC. We'll know in a couple of weeks.

[Brian Graham]

Douglas, not sure I would agree with that, at Road America last season the Pinto cars were a match or very close to us down the long straights, if I had a restrictor-forget about it! I guess time will tell. But let me just ask one more thing, are the narrow tire zetec cars and the wide tire zetec cars running the same restrictor and ECU? Brian.

[Douglas Kniffin]

We'll see how it goes. That straight is huge but from Nascar all the way up through the esses and even oak tree the extra torque should even out the lap times. Plus Matt is a man's man, I'm sure he'll have that thing trimmed out to nothing.

The series needs live timing and scoring so those of us at home wrenching our cars can watch the race unfold.

[Bob Wright]

Pro spec Zetecs will run the same restrictor/ECU map as FC (6"/8") Zetecs. Having tested at VIR two weeks ago (regional race), I think it will be the Pro gear stack which will cause more trouble than tires.

We will have selected maps from QSRE and 3 different restrictors at our fingertips for a "competition adjustment" if it becomes obvious we need it. I hope we did our homework correctly (thank you Les Phillips for a lot of input) and have it right. Everybody will be on the same tire for the first time and that will be something we going to watch closely on the test day.

[Douglas Kniffin]

Wow..I take my prediction back. Either Matt is dead meat and/or the 6 & 8 Zetec's sail away from everyone if the two cars have the same engine package.

[Bob Wright]

If they "sail away" too well, we'll change the restrictor or map, but we don't think (hope?) it will happen. I've run restricted zetecs at Pocono, Sebring, Homestead, and VIR against pinto's in the last 8 mos. We even put Ricardo Vassmer in my car at Homestead ('cause I'm old and slow)...no, we don't think they'll run away and hide. In fact, we think the pinto may still be faster with the current Zetec map/restrictor when everybody gets on the same tire.

[KevinFirlein]

Bob do you have a list on who is running what spec? Would be good for competitors to know.

[Bob Wright]

The starting spec for the series is the Pacific F2000 ECU map (from QSRE, and I will have it available for download at the track) and a 1.295 inch restrictor plate, which will also be available at the track. Current SCCA FC spec calls for the Pacific map and a 1.275" restrictor. I will have 1.275" and 1.315" restrictors and other maps, if necessary, but I don't think we'll need them.

[size=2]At the moment I think we're dealing with 5 Zetecs for the first race weekend, and 2 in Pro Trim.[size=2][/size] [/size]
[size=2][/size]
[size=2]From the list:[/size]
[size=2][/size]
[size=2]Zetec in FC trim: Treadway, Wright, Guibord[/size]
[size=2][/size]
[size=2]Zetec in Pro trim: McDonough, Boeckle[/size]
[size=2][/size]
[size=2]All others in Pinto powered cars.[/size]

[Matt M.]

Mcdonough was quoted stating " This is going to be like taking candy from a baby"

[size=2]Matt by 20 seconds if he doesn't lap the field. [/size]

Wheels schmeels....... So its 5 seconds instead of 20.... The money is mine!!!

I don't think it will be a big deal. Corrections can be made. There will be good data by the end of the test day. It will be a fun weekend no matter.

[Chas Shaffer]

I'm curious what everyone's plans are for tires. As I understand the rules we must race on the qualifying tires and we can have a set per race. I'm sure Rob N. will have lots of tires but is anyone else planning on two sets? I really only want to use 1 set assuming I make it to the race. With Summit the weekend before and a business trip all week it'll be tough for me to make it. I won't be able to test Wed.

[Bob Wright]

Chas- I ran a set into the ground in Florida to the tune of about 9 heat cycles. I would think 6 cycles are achievable with at least reasonable performance at the end. Given your schedule next week, if you need some help turning the car around from Summit, I'll be happy to lend a hand so you can race.

[mark defer]

hey chas,
bill and i both had some things going on back here in cleveland and detroit that kept us from commiting to vir. but we both made our airline reservations today, so we're coming. but like you, we will not be doing the test day either. after hearing bob's comments on the tires, my plan is to use no more than 6 tires for the weekend. 4 if i can get away with it.

mark d

[Chas Shaffer]

I'm testing at Summit next Tues and Wed. Does anyone have a decent set of Hankooks (3-4 heat cycles or less) that I could use or buy to try them out?

Hi Mark, I'm really looking forward to seeing you guys. Even if I can't race I'll still come down on my bike and check things out.

[Mark H]

What if the Zetec's make a deal to sandbag until the race? Then open it up?

Just a thought....one of 2 ive had this year?

[Bob Wright]

Chas- I've got tires, but they're in the trailer at VIR

Mark- I'm driving one of the zetecs- and I suspect I'll know if there's any sandbagging going on; at this point I'm much more interested in having the series work properly than picking off a win...

[JPZ]

Would I be able to enter & race my 1989 Van Dieman FC in the Lime Rock event?

Jerry Zaluckyj

[Michael Rand]

[size=2]Absolutely, Jerry. I will add you to the email distribution list and suggest you look at our website, www.f2000series.com, and catch up on the info we have posted there to date.[/size]
[size=2]It will be good to have something other than VD on the entry list ![/size]
[size=2]Come race with us, we think you'll enjoy yourself.[/size]
[size=2]Mike Rand[/size]

[JPZ]

Appreciate the prompt reply.

jerry Zaluckyj

[JPZ]

I would appreciate input on the Hankook spec tire we are supposed to use:

What size/compound/Hankook P-code tires are used in the FF2000 series?

How do they compare to the Hoosier C3000 R35/R45 tire - diameter, ride height, and camber (more or less). Do they give more or less grip than the Hoosiers?

Is there a recommended scrub-in procedure and approximately how many heat cycles are they good for.

Thanks in advance,
Jerry Zaluckyj

PS: Will Doug Rocco and Phil Picard run the Lime Rock races?

[DBS Motorsports]

Matt should do rather well I think. It will be hard to beat the guys from GTP. Just my humble, non-biased opinion. Good luck to everyone in the series. It should be an exciting year.

Doug Smith

[Michael Rand]

[size=2]Jerry, you can find Hankook info on our website, www.f2000series.com, in News Bulletin #3. As to stickiness, they are not like a new set of sticker bias ply tires but all our testing to date has shown them to be good for 4-6 heat cycles with little if any degradation in performance.[/size]
[size=2]We will all know lots more in 2 weeks, after a full day of testing at VIR on April 12 and then the first double race weekend of the series over Easter weekend. Things like setup, camber, ride height, scrubbing procedure, tire pressures, etc.[/size]
[size=2]As far as Rocco and Picard, you can help there, get the local Lime Rock crowd out for their local events.[/size]
[size=2]Mike[/size]