Kamikawa Doubles Down at 2014 Rapids GP

 

Everet Kamikawa winning on his home track of Rapids International Raceway, while not uncommon, isn't routine either. Even more rare is Kamikawa sweeping events on a race night.
The last time that Kamikawa won both events at an ISF event was July 2005 at the Turtle Trot.

The wins were not easy. After taking pole position in the F1 division, Kamikawa had to fight to the very last second of the final with Mike Lack. In fact it was only after the checkered flag flew that Kamikawa even knew he was in the lead. A lane jump had given Lack an extra lap in the scoring and throughout the second half of the race track announcers and TV reporters were giving credit to Lack for lead of two laps over the Ferrari. A few spins by Jaguar brought the Ferrari back to one lap down with 30 seconds to go. Slowing down believing he still had a lap lead, Lack let Kamikawa past believing time was on his side. In reality it was a pass onto the lead lap for Kamikawa who gassed it all the way to the line. When scoring was examined Kamikawa was declared the winner.
"It's kind of a cheap way to get the win," Kamikawa said quietly. "Mike drove a great race and it was a good battle all the way."

Kamikawa and Lack finished ahead of Two-time defending champion John Wiedemann. In fourth was rookie Todd Wolf who won his second heat race in as many starts to advance tot he final. "I'm in way above my head," Wolf said over the radio during the race. In hanging on for fourth, he became the first rookie to win two heat races in his first two starts. Returning racer Nick Bartolone finished fifth and fellow rookie Keith Lindbeck finished sixth.

The LMP event was not as hotly contested, but provided many surprises of it's own. John Wiedemann, again the defending series champion, took pole position.
In the heats JW also took one win. The other heat winner was Nick Bartolone.

Bartolone, a former winner of the 2.4 hour race, made his first ISF start since 2010. Competitive in F1, he surprised some in the field with his speed and handling to win the second LMP race.
"I wasn't surprised," said Wiedemann. He's a good racer."
Another driver making his mark in LMP was Keith Lindbeck.
"I'm not good in F1 cars," he explained. "These LMP cars feel better to me."

One near calamity of the event was the collapse of a stage building in the warehouse district. The building was erected for the set of the movie "KittenZilla Times Two." The production company left the building up. Fans thought it would provide new sightlines and immediately rushed inside only to have their weight on the scaffolding collapse the building.
Driver Todd Wolf was closest to the tumbling tower but was unhurt.

In the end Kamikawa's Black Knight Audi R15 too the victory for the second LMP win of his career. "I still suck in this division. Just not quite as bad as before."

 

The next race is the Muskego Grand Prix at Badger Raceway on November 21st.

Until next time...It's not bad being in the pits!
Steve The Wrench Ratchett

INTERNATIONAL SPORTSCAR FEDERATION
Official Finish, Event # 2014-02
Rapids Grand Prix presented by Too Clean Laundry
November 14, 2013
Rapids International Raceway

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

1. Everet Kamikawa-Ferrari
2.  Mike Lack-Jaguar
3. John Wiedemann-Jaguar
4. Todd Wolf-Caterham
5. Nick Bartolone-HRT
6. Keith Lindbeck-Lola F1

Fastest Qualifier -- Kamikawa
B Main Winner -- Lack

Heat Winners -- Wolf, N/A

LMP Category -- 12 Minute Final

Pos. Driver Car

1. Everet Kamikawa-Audi R15 Black
2.  Mike Lack-Toyota Peugeot
3.  Nick Bartolone-Peugot 
4. John Wiedemann-KIA Peugeot
5. Todd Wolf-Design Engine Peugeot
6. Keith Lindbeck-Audi R15

Fastest Qualifier -- Wiedemann

B Main Winner --Bartolone

Heat Winners -- Bartolone, Wiedemann