26/09/09
LOLAS DO WELL IN THE 2009 F5000 CHAMPIONSHIP
The Formula 5000 Drivers Association is pleased to announce the results of its race event at the Watkins Glen U.S. Vintage Grand Prix presented by SVRA on September 11-13, 2009.
Overall winner of the Sunday Race and placing in First place in Class B 1971 cars) was Jim Stengel in a 1973 McRae GM1. Winner in Class A cars) was Tony Adamowicz driving the 1969 Championship Gurney Eagle.
Finishing in Second place in Class A was Mead Korwin in a 1971 Lola T192 in his first race of the season. Paul Dudiak drove a spirited race in his 1969 McKee Mk12c starting from the back of the field, after failing to post a qualifying time on Saturday due to electrical problems, and finishing Third in class.
In Class B, a real battle for the lead took place between Rick Pearson and Jim Stengel. Stengel had taken the pole position on Saturday in the qualifying race over Parsons by less than half second for the best lap of the race. Parsons driving his 1976 Championship-winning Lola T332 took the lead from Stengel at the start of the Sunday feature race only to give it back on lap 3 after losing the use of 3rd gear. Parsons was able to nurse the car to second place keeping at bay the hardcharging Ted Wenz in a 1972 McRae GM1.
The 2009 Championship run came down to the last event of the season. Coming to Watkins Glen, Paul Dudiak had a small lead over Jim Stengel with 108 points. Stengel’s perfect weekend with wins in both the Qualifying Race on Saturday and Feature Race on Sunday propelled him to winning the Championship accumulating 164 for the season. Finishing second and third in the Championship were Rick Parsons and Tony Adamowicz, both of whom came on strong in the ast two events of the season. The list below identifies the final point standings for each driver participating in the 2009 championship.
The Formula 5000 Drivers Association has begun planning for next year’s race program and will announce soon its 2010 race series which will be held at some of the most spectacular race tracks in North America.
The Formula 5000 Drivers Association is a membership car club established to promote the registration, restoration and use of historic Formula 5000 race cars. The Association organizes vintage racing events and other activities for its members. In addition, the Association manages a registry of formula 5000 cars (www.F5000Registry.com).
Individuals interested in joining the Association should contact Seb Coppola (248- 601-2800; SebCoppola@F5000Registry.com) or Bruce Leeson (831-582-2494 x222; bleeson@gingerpeople.com).
All pictures courtesy of Steve Bedford.

The F5000 cars in the Watkins Glen paddock.

F5000 Cars on Track at Watkins Glen led by Eric Haga in his Lola T190.

The 1976 Lola T332 of Rick Parsons leading at Watkins Glen.

The F5000 2009 Watkins Glen Class winners.

F5000 2009 Champion - Jim Stengel with Seb Coppola at the Watkins Glen Final Race.
