2005 ISF Season Review Movie

When you aren't in the pits like I am, sit back & enjoy the 2005 ISF Season Review Movie!
Steve "The Wrench" Ratchett

2005 ISF Season Review

Bing! Bam! Boom!
The 2005 ISF Season ReviewBy 
Steve "The Wrench" Ratchett
It was my pleasure to be the beat writer for the ISF in 2005.
I saw great triumphs and tragedy. Great drivers felled by the weathered depths of equipment torture, and risen to great heights by the extreme pungent stench of success. Since my style of writing has a bit of a strange back biting sense to it, this review may be a little different than what you are used to reading at the end of each season. Remember that any offensive comments are from a guy who used to throw up after going on go-karts as a kid, so don’t even bother caring about any statements that get your balaclava in a bunch.

Here is the 2005 ISF season review driver by driver.
Some drivers took advantage to chip in with their own thoughts on the highlights and lowlights of their seasons and those comments are displayed here.
Traveling to the tracks for the first time, I am also taking advantage of this time to give you my grades on the tracks of the ISF.
My congratulations to the champs and drivers of the graduating class of the 2005 ISF season.
Mike Fitzlaff:

GTP Preseason Prediction: 7th in points
GTP Actual Finish 2005: 0 Wins, 6th in pointsJumping from GTP car to different GTP car didn't help in terms of finishes last year. He was fast. The hiring of Margetta and Dean Strom provided him with two drivers that could test chassis and bodies. He found the fast car so this skilled driver will get his first win in this division in 2006.
GT Preseason Prediction: 4th in points
GT Actual 2005: 0 Wins, 3rd in points

The first private team to run a Ferrari F40 seems to have helped stabilize this program. Fast at times and slower at others. This GT season was nothing to write home about but nothing to get your undies in a bunch either. With another season of running it under his belt, he should win a race in this division. The only problem is the same one as everyone has in this division: Kamikawa.


F1 Preseason Prediction: 2nd in points
F1 Actual 2005: 2 Wins, 2nd in points

Did you see him romp the field on the way to the 2005 SlotIRL title? We expected Fitzlaff to win in 2005. He did. Two wins and a chase for the title all the way to the last lap of the last race. He’s definitely a contender in this division for a crown in 2006. 
Season Highlights:

“Still in shock over two poles and two wins (in F1).both completely unexpected but very welcomed! I did not expect to run that well at HORA. The best moment has to be racing with all my friends and having a great time.”

Season Lowlights:

” Launching at Red Stripe. Oh yeah and just missing the F-1 crown.”

Adam Fitzlaff:
GTP Preseason Prediction: 10th in points
GTP Actual Finish 2005: 0 Wins, 12th in points

GT Preseason Prediction: 8th in points
GT Actual 2005: 0 Wins, 7th in points

F1 Preseason Prediction: 9th in points
F1 Actual 2005: 0 Wins, 10^th in points
The kid, who literally has grown up on the mean streets of the ARA and ISF, keeps the "old guys" on their toes. Someday he will realize that he can beat the big boys of the league and arrange it so he can enter more events. There is no doubt he can be a winner. Maybe 2007 will be the year that he starts to win and makes the other drivers long for their days of youth? That means they have one more season to rule the roost before the younger Fitzlaff rubs their noses in the poop on the floor.
Mark Walczak:
GTP Preseason Prediction: 6th in points
GTP Actual Finish 2005: 0 Wins, 7th in points
Walczak impressed his veteran counter parts with his racing knowledge and driving skills. He's also pissed off some fellow drivers in another league because of his speed and skill. As a winner of several events in ARA competition, we expected him to seriously challenge for wins starting his first full season since he probably had more race experience than most people starting out. Ooops! He ran into the buzz saw that is the ISF. It was extremely tough as the rookie never seemed to fully come to terms with the big GTP cars. That is not uncommon, even Everet Kamikawa isn’t quite used to their speed and handling.
He’s a smart racer and we expect him to turn it around in 2006.

GT Preseason Prediction: 6th in points
GT Actual 2005: 0 Wins, 4th in pointsDriving a Porsche for Great Big Pictures to start out the year, this driver looked more comfortable than in the GTP cars. A mid season switch by the team to Ferrari F40’s saw the rookie take position in 3 of the four GT finals. He could win in this division in 2006.

F1 Preseason Prediction: 4th in points
F1 Actual 2005: 0 Wins, 7th in points
He surprised everyone in SlotCART and got a ride with Jim Iverson at Williams. Probably the most exciting team debut since the beginning of the ISF. He was a good fit for the team. Starting out slow, the rookie came on in midseason. Leading laps at Turtle Creek, Walczak took his first podium. The problem here, as in all the divisions, is that sometimes the rookie was too fast for his own good. A problem here and there would force him to over drive his car and that would lead to another mistake and he could never quite overcome it.
With his talent you can expect more podiums in 2006.

“I guess the best parts of the season for me were making 3 of the 4 GT finals and the podium finish at Turtle creek in F1.   Oh yeah and the ROTY title over Dean.  The low points would have to be knowing my car was quick enough to run with the fast group, but making a mistake early, and driving over my head to try to catch up.”

Jim Iverson:
GTP Preseason Prediction: 3rd in points
GTP 2005 Actual Finish: 5 Wins, 2nd in points
Jim Iverson, second in the GTP standings for many seasons, finally beat John Shea in the points! Last year the only thing standing between Iverson and the championship was Shea. Problem is now is that besides Shea, Iverson now has Kamikawa to contend with.
Five dominating wins and a couple of track qualifying records were the components of a fantastic season by the veteran “whose glue holds this series together” complimented one veteran driver. He held the points lead until the ¾ mark of the season. Kamikawa’s dominating performances in the second half may have shaken his confidence some, however don’t underestimate him. A classy gentleman racer, who will stomp you into the ground when the car is right, still has the fire and drive to win. The championship is his in 2006. It would be a popular win for this important series driver.

GT Preseason Prediction: 2nd in points
GT Actual 2005: 1 Win, 2nd in points
He took the title fight to Kamikawa and once again was the only other GT driver to score a win. He dumped his longtime Porsche ride for a Ferrari F40 and made the car go and go. His program in GT is very strong and is even money to win it in 2006.
 
F1 Preseason Prediction: 3rd in points
F1 Actual 2005: 0 Wins, 3^rd in points
He switched to Williams and gained a teammate!
The next biggest budget in the paddock next to Ferrari, didn’t quite produce the results expected. Don’t look now, fantasy is imitating reality! Having the Jordans being as fast as they were was a wrench that Williams hadn’t counted on, however by the end of the season the podiums were there. Wins will come in 2006.     
Season Highlights:

“I have to second Fitzlaff's comment that getting together and racing with friends is the real highlight. My personal highlight had to be winning the final race after suffering gear problems. If it had not been a one hour race I would have finished fourth. Lucky for me I had enough time to make it all up. Yeah, I know, it was on my home track, but still it was a real thrill. I think it was the best season ever. Great new drivers like Mike, Mark, and Dean made it better than ever. Of course Dan and Chad are always a threat whenever they show up. Come to think of it, it was Chad that knocked me out of contention for the GTP title! Thanks Chad! Looking forward to next year.”

Larry Rotter: GTP Preseason Prediction: 4th in points
GTP Actual Finish 2005: 0 Wins, 4th in points
Missing the first two races of the year probably made his title hopes for 2005 a little optimistic, however no driver won more semi finals and heats than Rotter. It has been three seasons since he won in this division. The Jaguar was too long in the tooth so he switched to Toyota and gained speed and a number of podium finishes. His new car can get him back to victory lane, especially with the confidence booster of wining the ISF endurance race.  His consistently strong finishes keep him in the points chase and threatening to steal wins. His stirring drive at Monza 2004 will be the stuff of legend for many years to come, hence why I mention it here.

GT Preseason Prediction: 3rd in points
GT Actual 2005: 0 Wins, 4th in points
He’ll find victory lane again in this division. Please go back to the Dodge Stealth! He's too good a racer to have this long of a drought.  
 
F1 Preseason Prediction: 7th in points
F1 Actual 2005: 0 Wins, 5th in points
The two-time SlotCART champion is still on a mission to win the F1 title. He just missed out in 2003. Some bad luck at the wrong times in 2005 kept him from the title. If he can get his groove back a championship by Rotter in this division would be very welcomed in the paddock.  Now what about that missing McLaren teammate? A Rotter + ??? McLaren team would be a strong force on the grid.
Dan Margetta:
             GTP Preseason Prediction: 2nd in points
GTP Actual Finish 2005: 0 Wins, 9th in points
We remember him saying in 2004 he was going to drive full time in 2005.
We remember him saying he “has a life” in 2005.
Margetta missed several events in 2005.
I guess babes in bikinis and real race cars take priority than the ISF.
Wait a minute! That sounds like a plan!
I guess we’ll have to wait until Margetta gets married before we see him race with “the no life married guys” for a full season. When that happens expect him to win and challenge for the title. In the meantime, send those babes over the league’s way!

GT Preseason Prediction: 7th in points
GT Actual 2005: 0 Wins, 9th in points
He needs to find a good consistent ride.
F1 Preseason Prediction: Champion
F1 Actual 2005: 1 Win, 5th in points
He took a pole position with a Minardi and a win in a Jordan.
If he’s there for all the F1 events expect him to challenge for the title.

John Shea:

GTP Preseason Prediction: Champion
GTP Actual 2005 Finish: 1 win, 3^rd in points

This is what I wrote in my 2005 preview:
I wrote it last year.
I've written it before and will write it again.
It will be tough for anyone to dethrone John Shea.
I just study the trends and pick them as I see them.
Until someone steps up, I'll continue to pick John "Sheamacher" to be the champ in this division. 
Someone stepped up.
Uncharacteristically Shea only took one win in 2005.
His car seemed loose all year on every circuit and he often found himself in early de-slot trouble. Until 2005 I cannot find an example where Shea lost a race due to non-falling-off-the-table DNF’s. He DNF’d several times in 2005.
It was as if the racing gods mixed up Shea’s racing karma with Kamikawa’s.
A change to a new racing body didn’t seem to work well on the car.
It was an aberration in the GTP career of Shea.
Even Ferrari can’t win the Formula One championship every year.
Next year he will be back.
 
GT Preseason Prediction: 5th in points
GT 2005 Actual: 0 Wins, 6th in points
I wrote this pre-season about Shea’s GT program:
”Ill handling Ferraris, slow Volvos, and outclassed Chevy Cameros have been the bane of his existence in this division. He gave up the Corvette that challenged for wins and went back to Ferraris. Someday he'll get a car worthy of his talents. It is kind of a running story that he won't so I won't hold my breath for this year.”Shea showed up in 2005 with a Ferrari, and then switched to the factory corvette with John Shea. He gained the makes first podium in two years! Look for the vetts to be trouble once they get sorted out.
F1 Preseason Prediction: 5th in points
F1 2005 Actual: 3 Wins, Champion
Shea was on form in 2005. Three wins plus pole positions kept him in the championship hunt. Mike Fitzlaff’s Jordan and his teammate gave him trouble, especially in the second half of the season. His calm and collected driving skills brought him the championship in the final race. Even money he will be the ISF F1 champion again in 2006.
Season Highlights:

“I guess the highlight for me in the GTP season would have to be the victory at Rapids Int'l Raceway.  The track has been such a good friend to this driver through the years and 2005 did not disappoint.

The debut of the Corvette team at Clevelandstone was cool too (with a PODIUM FINISH I might add, Mr. Ratchett, check your facts pal).

Then the Showdown at Bayside for the F1GP title.  Really felt like I could not match Mike on sheer pace but if I could keep the pressure on maybe he would start to slip (especially in the hairpin in red lane).  Still hard to believe it all came right in the end.”

Season Lowlights:

”The loss of Monza sucked, but the weather would have shat on the night anyway.  As it was there was still an excellent race night at Bayside.

The painfully mind-numbing crushing at the hands of Kamikawa --AGAIN -- in the GT class.  If someone could even marginally keep pace I wouldn't mind so much, but DAMN.  That car is faster than most of the cars in the GTP class.  One word: BORING.  Might as well call GT the Ferrari F40 -spec series because that is what it will be next year . . .

The three weeks on, one month off schedule was weird.  The reasoning was sound but it played out weird.”

Chad Sorce:

GTP Preseason Prediction: 8th in points
GTP Actual Finish 2005: 1 Win, 5th in points
Sorce was the ISF’s original GTP champion. Scheduling conflicts with his semi-pro bowling career has kept him from a lot of events. In 2005 he made ¾ of the races and was a strong force in the points chase. Making the final in every GTP event he entered, he won once and it can be argued knocked Iverson from the title. The rest of the field gained from his competitive spirit.

GT Preseason Prediction: 10th in points
GT Actual 2005: 0 Wins, 7^th in points
New life was breathed into his GT program with Sorce joining the factory Corvette team. I understand one of them will be sponsored by a radio station that calls itself “The FIST!”

F1 Preseason Prediction: 8th in points
F1 Actual 2005: 0 Wins, 9th in points
A switch from Jaguar to Red Bull was a canny move and paid off with fun for this team and its driver.
Season Highlights:

“High points for me?  I guess a win, but more importantly...making the final in every gtp race I entered felt pretty darn good.  Having a gt program that looks like it might actually grow into a competitive team is great as well.

  

A huge highlight was spending a weekend with John, Ev and Tony during the Grand Prix weekend.  That is something that I look forward to every year, and I think next year will be even better!  Another 5 hour drive to Indy, sponsored by the FIST!”

Season Lowlights:

The major low point is just that I couldn’t race with you guys all the time, and definitely missing the endurance race hurt, well there is always next year.

 Everet Kamikawa:
 GTP Preseason Prediction: 5th in points
GTP 2005 Actual Finish: 5 Wins, Champion
I wrote in pre-season:
”As Mr. Miagi told Danielson in the movie The Karate Kid, "Concentrate! Focus power!" Any race longer than 3 minutes he crashes and burns in spectacular fashion. Switching from Mercedes to Toyota at first didn’t improve that observation. A second switch from Mercedes to Toyota DID help. Suddenly Kamikawa was winning pole positions, challenging for heat race wins, and lasting the entire length of the race! The ISF GTP all time leader in 4th place finishes used to know how to win in this division. Now that he has a fast car again in 2005 he might remember how that was done.”
Hello! McFly! Did anyone tell Kamikawa that he was supposed to crash early and often in order to finish fourth, just like all the other GTP races he’s in? He found a fast car at the end of 2004. He finished second at the 2005 Rapids Invitational and utterly destroyed the morale and hopes of his competition on his way to the title. His car was very fast and stuck like glue.

GT Preseason Prediction: Champion
GT Actual 2005: 3 wins, Champion
I'll keep picking this horse in this division until he gives me reason not to.
F1 Preseason Prediction: 6th in points
F1 Actual 2005: 2 Wins, 4th in points
In 2005 he couldn't get out of his own way. Early crashes left him often times in early foul trouble and two DNF's in the first races didn’t help his championship. Goal then switched to taking points away from his teammate’s competition. Kamikawa had two new cars this year. By the time he figured them out he had two wins but terrible finishes for the rest of the events.  I wouldn’t count on him to win the championship in 2006, although he might win an event or two. It is interesting to note that despite all their years as teammates, these two have never fought each other for a title.

Dean Strom:

GTP Preseason Prediction: n/a
GTP Actual 2005 Finish: 0 Wins, 8th in points

I wrote it last year.
I've written it before and will write it again.
It will be tough for anyone to dethrone John Shea.
I just study the trends and pick them as I see them.
Until someone steps up, I'll continue to pick John "Sheamacher" to be the champ in this division. 
 
GT Preseason Prediction: n/a
GT 2005 Actual: 0 Wins, 8th in points
Shea’s GT program went back into the ground! Ill handling Ferraris, slow Volvos, and outclassed Chevy Cameros have been the bane of his existence in this division. He gave up the Corvette that challenged for wins and went back to Ferraris. Someday he'll get a car worthy of his talents. It is kind of a running story that he won't so I won't hold my breath for this year.
F1 Preseason Prediction: n/a
F1 2005 Actual: 0 Wins, 8^th in points
Shea was on form in 2005. Three wins plus pole positions kept him in the championship hunt. Even money he will be the ISF F1 champion in 2005, especially if the Williams team struggles. 

   
Amy Butler:

GTP Preseason Prediction: n/a
GTP Actual 2005 Finish: 0 wins, 10th in points  
GT Preseason Prediction: n/a
GT 2005 Actual: n/a

F1 Preseason Prediction: n/a
F1 2005 Actual: 0 Wins, 10^th in points

She was on form in the one race she competed in. She led the race at her home track of Road America for quite a distance before slipping to second. If she would have won, it would have been the story of the year. Hampered by scheduling conflicts on the Wednesday nights the ISF races for the foreseeable future, it is doubtful if she will be able to compete in more than a few races for the time being. 

Tony Perkins:

GTP Preseason Prediction: n/a
GTP Actual 2005 Finish: 0 wins, 11th in points

GT Preseason Prediction: n/a
GT 2005 Actual: n/a

F1 Preseason Prediction: n/a
F1 2005 Actual: 0 Wins, 12^th in points
Another candidate for story of the year was the debut of Tony Perkins in the ISF.
It remains to be seen if the popular driver will make future appearances in the ISF, however his promotional group is lobbying to hold a race in Chicago, so it would not be a surprise to see him compete in future events. Not dogged by his past experience in a different league, Perkins might find the racing salvation he has been looking for.  He should go for it in this writer’s opinion.


The Tracks:
Rapids International Raceway

Bayside International
Raven Raceway

Turtle Creek Race Park

Road America

Clevelandstone

Red Stripe Raceway

DeckertRing


Stay tuned! There will be three new tracks and the end of another. The De-Slot rule has been tweaked. Drivers are psyched. There are new teams. Familiar faces in new places. Familiar faces hopefully returning to old places. The beer is cold. Games were raised last year by Iverson and Margetta. Kamikawa slipped and Shea missed some events. Will those factors conspire against them in 2005 and let Rotter, Fitzlaff, Iverson, or Margetta take the GTP, GT, or F1 titles?
We may be crowning three new champions this year.Lets go racing!