Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Fitzlaff Sweeps 2013 Muskego GP Events


Fitzlaff Sweeps 2013 Muskego GP Events
Win in F1 first for 2013
Badgerland Raceway to be repaved

Mike Fitzlaff got a rocky 2013 season back on track with double wins at the Muskego Grand Prix.
Taking advantage of the long straights, one of the fastest drivers in ISF History snapped John Wiedemann's F1 winning streak at four, then added a win in the LMP division which has been his personal playground the last several seasons.


Badgerland Raceway has long been a favorite stop on the tour. This event was no different. 
At first it looked as if it would be John Wiedemann's night again as the runaway points leader swept to the F1 pole position and a win in the first heat. The long wait between the end of the first heat and the final race turned out to be too much as the weather came in and cooled down the track. JW's car no longer hugged the track quite as well and he would go on to finish third on the night.

Fitzlaff took advantage of the track conditions and steely nerves to avoid all trouble and take the win over the returning Red Bull of Mark Walczak. Everet Kamikawa took fourth with Dan Margaretta and Dean Strom completing the top six. John Wiedeann's points lead "shrunk" to 25 over Fitzlaff.

The LMP main event took a twist when for the second time in ISF history a driver had to withdraw from the event after making it to the final race. Ironically in both cases it was Mark Walczak. He took wins in the heat race and B-Main only to be forced to withdraw after the discovery of a broken header when the car got back to the pits and the crew didn't have enough time to fix it. 
Eliminating a tough competitor made the race interesting as first Kamikawa, then Wiedemann, and finally Fitzlaff traded turns at the top with Fitzlaff able to seal the deal in a close finish.
Kamikawa's third place finish pushed him into the points lead over Wiedemann.

A big announcement was that Badgerland would be repaved during the off season. The former swamp the track was built on has been wearing unstable causing large gaps and seems in the pavement on the straights.
This track damage was responsible for damage to the LMP cars of Dan Margetta and Dean Strom. On two separate occasions had to pit their Peugots in order to fix damage and removing each from contention for the win.

The next stop for the ISF is the popular Turtle Trot at Raven Raceway.
INTERNATIONAL SPORTSCAR FEDERATION
Official Finish, Event # 2013-04
Muskego GP

May 18, 2013

Badgerland Raceway

F1 Grand Prix Category -- 16 Minute Final
Pos. Driver Car

1. Mike Fitzlaff-Jordan Peugot
2. Mark Walczak-Red Bull Renult

3. John Wiedemann-Jaguar
4. Everet Kamikawa-Super Kamikawa  F1
5. Dan Margetta-Red Bull Renult
6. Dean Strom-Williams Renault 
Fastest Qualifier -- John Wiedemann
B Main --Everet Kamikawa
Heat Winners -- Mark Walczak

LMP Category -- 12 Minute Final
Pos. Driver Car
1. Mike Fitzlaff-Nissan LMP
2. John Wiedemann Peugot

3. Everet Kamikawa Audi R15
4. Dan Margetta-Peugot
5. Dean Strom-Audi R15
6. Mark Walczak-Peugot
Fastest Qualifier --Mike Fitzlaff
B Main --Mark Walczak
Heat Winners -- Mike Fitzlaff, Mark Walczak