SpeedSF at Thunderhill_PADDOCK_08-30-19-20.jpg

INTRODUCTION

Back at Thunderhill for the epic 5-mile. Highly anticipated some broken lap records as it’s most people’s second time out on this configuration this year, but was that the case? With 19 people showing up for this Friday SpeedSF Challenge, it made for a good way to start off the weekend!

CLASS S1

SpeedSF at Thunderhill_PADDOCK_08-30-19-56.jpg

Three drivers, three podium placers! With “Aguri Suzuki” taking home 1st place in some kind of German vehicle thanks to a 02:58.864 lap time, it was up to the 2nd and 3rd place drivers to settle the score between the both of them. Gordon Peng in the 2002 Chevy Some 2-Door took home 2nd with a great 03:07.458 lap time while Steve Chi (Gary Yeung as award stand-in) took home 3rd place behind his 2010 BMW M3 putting down a 03:08.653 lap time. Maybe Steve didn’t want to show up for the podium since he didn’t win this time! :O

CLASS S2

SpeedSF at Thunderhill_PADDOCK_08-30-19-52.jpg

With S2 featuring 4 drivers, and fast cars, it was a toss-up as to which driver was going to take home what place. Robert Harper took home 1st place with his 2019 Ford GT350 putting down a 03:11.889 lap time, while Steve Melson took home 2nd place behind the wheel of his 1991 300ZX. Being a more unique entry to the challenge, especially in a higher place, his 03:14.648 lap time was a fantastic for the S2 class That car has been turned into a full racecar and it shows! 3rd place driver Jim Pyle put in a 03:20.083 lap time while piloting his 2002 Chevy Corvette Z06. Great driving from everyone in S2!

CLASS S3

SpeedSF at Thunderhill_PADDOCK_08-30-19-47.jpg

Familiar faces on top of this podium again, with Bob Blackwood and his Lotus taking home 1st place once more because of a blistering 03:11.236 lap time! Jay Lapid and his Nissan 350Z put down a 03:16.380 lap time to take home 2nd place while Gabriel Rothman and the trusty 2003 Honda S2000 did just enough to take home 3rd with his 03:20.626 lap time.

CLASS S4

SpeedSF at Thunderhill_PADDOCK_08-30-19-44.jpg

Lumberjack squad took on the first two spots, per usual, in the S4 class. Joe McGuigan, you loveable bear! Joe put down a very good 03:17.002 (oooh so close!) lap time in his (and Becca’s) FR-S while Sohan Kota drove his 2000 Honda S2000 to a 03:35.731 lap time and a 2nd place finish! 3rd place finisher was George Bentinck in a 2017 Mazda…I assume Miata… who drove valiantly to earn his 03:39.826 lap time!

CLASS S5

SpeedSF at Thunderhill_PADDOCK_08-30-19-40.jpg

Troublemaker squad in a bunch of Miatas. Don’t need to put a lot here but the obligation is necessary just to make them feel better.

Ever the King indeed, King Tang in his blank Miata took home 1st place with a 03:22.884 lap time, while not far behind, alternate universe cover girl “Mia Yeung” took 2nd place back to the modeling agency with his…her… 03:24.737 lap time! Scott Smith, who is clearly starting to slip, took home 3rd place in his non-blank 1996 Spec Miata while achieving a 03:28.591 lap time for his efforts.

Good job everyone! Now, drive faster!

CONCLUSION

SpeedSF at Thunderhill_PADDOCK_08-30-19-35.jpg

An excellent job to our drivers who won their places and THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the SpeedSF Challenge! For those who are still chasing podium finishes, more seat time, coaching, and watching videos of the track will certainly get you there!

As we look forward to Round 10 of the SpeedSF Challenge at Thunderhill Raceway West on September 22, we want to say that we truly appreciate our sponsors and participants as it would not be possible without them!

We thank our sponsors Wine Country Motorsports, G-Loc brakes, Titan7 Wheels, Necksgen, and Charles Schwab for their continued and valued support. Please visit their respective websites to show your support and let them know SpeedSF sent you!

Again, our next SpeedSF Challenge will be held at Thunderhill Raceway in Willows, CA. Again, please check out the event website by clicking here. We will see you at our next event!