SPEEDSF CHALLENGE - JUNE 7, 2020 - ROUND 4 @ THUNDERHILL RACEWAY (5-MILE)

Introduction

Back again at Thunderhill for the 5-mile configuration! 23 drivers showed up for this fan-favorite track configuration in the land of Willows, CA. With a grid loaded with big-engine boys paired with pleasurable track conditions, it was sure to be an exciting result for all drivers involved. The result? 5 broken class lap records for Class X and Classes S2 through S5!

Class S1

Ah, the story of the German vs. the American, a tale as old as time. This time, however, brute American force won. Justin Moore, in a 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, took home 1st place with a speedy 03:02.547 lap time while Challenge veteran Jeff Han took 2nd place with his 03:09.349 lap time. Great driving from these fast drivers!

CLASS S2

3 drivers, 3 podium places! Math is fun!

Steve Chi dominated this class with his 2010 BMW M3! His 03:06.045 lap time not only put him in 1st place for this Challenge, but beat out the previous S2 lap record for this configuration by over 2 seconds! A record previously held by Gary Yeung in the Dirty Mango S2000, the 03:08.298 lap time set on May 31, 2019 fell and boy did it fall hard. Great job by Steve Chi here.

Joining Steve on the 2nd step of the podium was Thomas Huber who took his 2017 Porsche 911 through the land of Thunder and put down a 03:19.365 lap time for his effort, while racer boi Chris Lee took home 3rd place with his 03:24.749 lap time in his 2007 BMW Z4M race car

Class S3

8 drivers showed up for this packed class, but of course, only the 3 fastest drivers can take home the bragging rights.

Kevin Schweigert and his monstrous 2015 Subaru BRZ took 1st place on this day thanks to a blistering 03:03.169 lap time - absolutely CRUSHING Gary Wong’s previous fastest lap time of a 03:10.515 lap time set back on May 31, 2019, in his 2004 Honda S2000.

Gary Wong did manage, a year later, to take home 2nd place and also smash his old lap record, so not a bad outing as well. His 03:07.304 during this Challenge put him over 3 seconds faster than his previous best, which we always applaud, so good job here!

In 3rd place, we have Seigo Ma, the e-racing fast boi who threw down a 03:11.317 lap time in his mean green machine Honda S2000, placing him firmly 1 second ahead of Ken Yip who has graced the podium in the past. S3 is the class to watch!

Class S4

What a way to take it home! Sohan Kota became the new owner of the S4 class lap record for the Thunderhill 5-mile configuration thanks to excellent driving in his 2000 Honda S2000, putting in a 03:14.105 lap time, which actually topples Joe McGuigan’s previous 03:17.002 lap record set in a Scion FR-S back on August 30, 2019!

Matt “Track Dad” Belter took home 2nd place with excellent driving of his own. A 03:16.931 lap time in his 2017 Subaru BRZ helped secure his podium place, barely edging out Jason Parraga who put down a 03:17.137 lap time in his 2008 Honda S2000 CR to take home 3rd place!

Class S5

A sorta-crowded class for with 5 drivers, new kid on the block Tony Rodriguez immediately raised eyebrows and broke Miata owners’ hearts with his 03:17.948 lap time, thanks to excellent driving in his quick 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder! His lap time obliterated King Tang’s previous lap record of a 03:22.884, set back on August 30, 2019, in his NA Mazda Miata.

2nd place driver Daniel Doerr pushed this 2015 Mazda Miata Club Edition over the line with a 03:28.108 lap time while 3rd place dad-to-be Joe McGuigan drove his Toyota MR-S to a fast lap of 03:30.000.

Are the MR2s/MRSs going to overtake the Miatas in this class?! We shall soon find out…

Class X

In a class of his own (literally), this Corvette C6 Z06 hauled ass. A 02:55.548 lap time was the result of some crafty driving by Rich Willhoff. When your engine sticks out of your hood, you’ve already let all the bois and girls know you’re not messing around!

CONCLUSION

Excellent work by our drivers who won their places and set new class lap records! 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 how to attack the track will certainly get you there!

Round 5 will be here soon! Our next SpeedSF Challenge will be hosted at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on July 5, 2020. We truly appreciate our sponsors and participants as it would not be possible without them! 

Thank you to our sponsors Wine Country Motorsports, 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!