With the weather report calling for heavy rain all weekend, almost a dozen drivers chose to stay home – leaving the five who showed up the opportunity to make big strides in championship points, on a completely dry track for friday testing, qualifying, and both races, as once again the weather reports were just a little off.
WATCH THE F1000 INSIDER RACE REPORT – CLICK PLAY (ARROW)
Before qualifying and racing could begin it was time for the random drawing awards and dinner social… With cash prizes from Taylor Race Engineering, Sunoco Race Fuels, Jongbloed Wheels, and HRP, plus discounts from Rilltech Racing, Rebel Gears, Wulff Motorsports, Mirrors from Race Mirrors, True full synthetic Oil and products from MPT Industries, and tires from American Racer – Every driver wins in the North American Formula 1000 Championship.
Saturday morning qualifying proved once again to be the Alex Mayer show – putting his #77 Technotecs JDR Suzuki on pole – well under the track record.
#13 Doug Hertz would also come in under the track record in his Sunrise Solar Solutions Firman, however would settle for the outside front row, with the #1 Calasanz Elan of Kevin Boeckle and the #93 CSI Leasing / EPCusa.com JDR of Steve Hamilton coming in 3rd and 4th.
Tim Pierce was unable to make it out on track despite the best efforts of the Area 81 Racing team and JDR Engineers working tirelessly all weekend to complete the prototype build for the first of the 2nd generation JDR F1000 cars.
When the flag flew on Round 3, Alex Mayer would lead flag to flag and set a new track record, with #13 Doug Hertz coming in close behind in second place.
#1 Kevin Boeckle and #93 Steve Hamilton would race close for most of the race, and get a little too close on lap 9, touching wheels and sending Boeckle airborne. Thankfully both drivers were unhurt. Boeckle would retire immediately at turn 5, while Hamilton would limp his #93 back to pitlane with a bent wheel and tie rod.
Sunday morning drivers awoke to 20 mph hour winds and
many destroyed EZ-UP canopies.
The rain would hold off for Round 4 and once again it was
Alex Mayer going flag to flag or win #4 in 2018.
The podium looked very similar to Saturday, with #13 Doug Hertz and the #93 Steve Hamilton in 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Congratulations to all the drivers from New Jersey Motorsports Park.
Next up for F1000 – July 6-8 at Watkins Glen International Raceway.
For more information about the North American Formula 1000 Championship –
Follow the series on Facebook – @NorthAmF1000 and visit www.NorthAmF1000.com