MAXXIS TIRES SPEEDSF CHALLENGE (ROUND 6) AT WEATHERTECH RACEWAY LAGUNA SECA - JULY 2, 2021
INTRODUCTION
With temperate weather, cool cars, and 21 drivers still trying to close the gap in points and lap times, every event matters from here on out. A lot of drivers find WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca to be their favorite track, so close times were bound to occur. We’re halfway through the season and the battle is definitely heating up!
CLASS S1
Quite lonely at the top for Steve Melson - double medals for him on the day! That Audi R8 is just fantastic; a 1:36.260 for his troubles! He definitely has been in tremendous form this season and we expect him to continue as we progress through the second half of the season!
CLASS S2
Not sure what’s more amazing - the gap between the drivers on the podium or the fact that Steve Melson drives his 300ZX just as fast as he does his R8! A 1:36.659 lap time sealed the deal for him; great stuff! Gary Yeung and the Dirty Mango S2000 put in a 1:39.502 lap time for a wonderful 2nd place finish, while 3rd place David Fitz-Randolph got in there with a 1:41.148 lap time behind the wheel of his GR Supra! I can only imagine David will get a whole lot faster as the season progresses!
CLASS S3
Fast car is fast! TJ Mercier showed no mercy by taking his Porsche Cayman around Laguna for a 1:41.191, though we had 2nd place Jake Montinola coming in hot with a 1:41.569 lap time behind the wheel of his 2001 Honda S2000! Great lap times set by these two drivers given this is the first Challenge appearance by both of them! Legend Brandenburg, not to be outdone, kept his lap times in the 1:41s as well by throwing down a 1:41.972 lap time for his efforts. Great close driving by everyone in this class!
CLASS S4
Ah, yes, Tony Rodriguez. All alone on the podium but only because the two other drivers decided lunch was more important than getting a medal! In any case, Tony took 1st with his 1:41.290 while sporting a not-MR2! His 2004 Honda S2000 sure is potent with him behind a wheel, though it certainly is not a surprise. In 2nd place, we have Nathan Hackman who took his S2000 around Laguna for a great 1:42.659 lap time while 3rd place driver Jason Parraga took his own S2000 to a 1:43.396 lap time!
CLASS S5
Miata class here we go! Thanks to doggo Vash for providing the pivotal emotional support, Zoe Downing was able to achieve a 1:48.364 lap time to take her to a cool 1st place finish. Tadeu Zagallo took the 2nd step on the podium thanks to a 1:49.2 lap time while Patryk Skowronski-Stec rounded out the podium in his own Miata with a 1:53.373 lap time!
CONCLUSION
Excellent work by the drivers who took their places on the podium! THANK YOU to everyone who participated! There will be many opportunities to chase podium finishes. This can be achieved with more seat time, coaching, and watching videos of how to attack the track!
Round 7 will be held at Thunderhill East on August 7th. We look forward to more close finishes among the drivers! We are expecting weather high-90 degree weather, so please be prepared and drink lots of water! We truly appreciate our sponsors and participants and we are forever thankful as all of this would not be possible without them.
Thank you especially to our sponsors Maxxis Tires, Wine Country Motorsports, Titan7 Wheels, 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!
