Rounds 7 & 8 – Watkins Glen International

by NorthAmF1000, posted in Race Reports

Rounds 7 & 8    *    Watkins Glen International    *    June 23 – 25

The North American Formula 1000 Championship raced into Watkins Glen for Rounds 7 and 8 of the Inaugural season, and weather was once again on everyone’s mind.  A downpour of rain during qualifying-one washed out any chance of a fast lap, and drivers chose to sit out the session and roll the dice for better conditions in qualifying-two.   Luck being on their side, 75 degrees and sunshine arrived for Saturday morning qualifying..

Putting his #77 Technotecs / Wilwood Brakes – Suzuki powered JDR on pole, Alex Mayer was closely followed by Charles Livingston in his #33 Moon’s Super Cycle – Suzuki powered JDR with the #13 Sunrise Solar Solutions – Suzuki powered Firman of Doug Hertz rounding out the top three.   The #14 G-labels – Suzuki powered Galmer of Jose Gerardo and #93 CSI Leasing Suzuki powered JDR of Steve Hamilton made up the top five for go fast day.

With the green flag waving on Round 7,  the #14 Galmer of Jose Gerardo went wide around the outside of turn one and moved into second place.  Gerardo’s weekend came to an end less than one lap later while passing a car from another class, touching wheels and sending Gerardo’s Galmer airborne.  At the end of lap two, the #13 Firman of Doug Hertz retired to pitlane with mechanical issues, leaving the top three to the #77 of Alex Mayer, the #33 of Charles Livingston, and the #18 Waterfall Security Solutions – Suzuki powered Firman of Tim Pierce.   Lap after lap the #18 of Tim Pierce and the #93 of Steve Hamilton battled wheel to wheel for third place, with #93 Steve Hamilton coming out ahead in the end.

Taking the checkered flag under double yellow behind the safety car, due to an incident in another class, the #77 ALex Mayer lead #33 Charles Livingston and #93 Steve Hamilton, with #18 Tim Pierce taking home the Wilwood Brakes Tough Break award for 4th place.  After fighting his way from 8th to 5th, the #9 Kawasaki powered Citation of Jason Slahor takes home the Sunoco Hard Charger award and $200 cash for improving the most positions.

OFFICIAL RESULTS – ROUND 7 – WATKINS GLEN

  1. #77 – Alex Mayer – Technotecs / Wilwood Brakes – Suzuki powered JDR
  2. #33 – Charles Livingston – Moon’s Super Cycle – Suzuki powered JDR
  3. #93 – Steve Hamilton – CSI Leasing – Suzuki powered JDR
  4. #18 – Tim Pierce – Waterfall Security Solutions – Suzuki powered Firman
  5. #9 – Jason Slahor – Slahor Racing – Kawasaki powered Citation
  6. #111- Mike Meyers – Philly Motorsports – Suzuki powered DB-F1000
  7. #31 – Dave O’Leary – Oleary Motorsports – Suzuki powered Mygale
  8. DNF – #14 Jose Gerardo – G-labels – Suzuki powered Galmer
  9. DNF – #13 Doug Hertz – Sunrise Solar Solutions – Suzuki powered Firman

Sunday afternoon showcased Round 8 of the 2017 championship, and once again #77 Alex Mayer led the F1000 field to the green flag.  As the good luck was shining on Mayer, the monkey on the #13 of Doug Hertz continued to cause trouble as Hertz came into contact with a car in a different class and was forced to retire on lap two, for the second day in a row.  The remaining positions on the NAF1000 5-spot post race podium appeared very similar to the Saturday race, with #77 of Alex Mayer taking the top step, #33 Charles Livingston and #93 Steve Hamilton on each side, respectively.  Taking the Wilwood Brake Tough Break award for the second day in a row, the #18 of Tim Pierce came home in fourth with #9 Jason Slahor again winning the big $$$ from Sunoco Racing Fuel for the Hard Charger Award.

OFFICIAL RESULTS – ROUND 8 – WATKINS GLEN

  1. #77 Alex Mayer – Technotecs / Wilwood Brakes – Suzuki powered JDR
  2. #33 Charles Livingston – Moon’s Super Cycle – Suzuki powered JDR
  3. #93 Steve Hamilton – CSI Leasing – Suzuki powered JDR
  4. #18 Tim Pierce – Waterfall Security Solutions – Suzuki powered Firman
  5. #9 Jason Slahor – Slahor Racing – Kawasaki powered Citation
  6. #111 Mike Meyers – Philly Motorsports – Suzuki powered DB-F1000
  7. DNF – #13 Doug Hertz – Sunrise Solar Solutions – Suzuki powered Firman
  8. DNS – #14 Jose Gerardo – G-labels – Suzuki powered Galmer
  9. DNS – #31 Dave O’Leary – O’Leary Motorsports – Suzuki powered Mygale

The next event in the 2017 North American Formula 1000 Championship will be held on July 22 and 23 from New Jersey Motorsports Park.

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