Turtle Creek Raceway Park has a new home and the spirit of Larry Rotter is alive and well in his memorial grand prix.
Also alive and well are Mike Fitzlaff's chances of winning both the F1 and LMP divisions. Fitzlaff swept both events to keep alive his streak of winning every event he has entered this season, except for one LMP race.
Fitzlaff won both pole positions and immediately transferred to the final race. This left the remainder of the largest field of the season for the ISF scrambling to see who would be the cannon fodder for the Fitzlaff onslaught.
It was the rookies who shone the way. Pete Dorn in his first start in both divisions qualified fifth and had a reasonable run in the first heat against veterans Mike Lack, John Wiedemann, and winner Everet Kamikawa.
The second heat featured all rookies as Bill Black, Andrew Black, Mike Kristof, and Keith Lindbeck battled to the end with Andrew Black beating Kristof by 1/2 of a lap. Both advanced to the semi-final where Andrew Black couldn't keep up the pace of the earlier heat and finished last.
Kamikawa, Wiedemann, Kristof went on to face Fitzlaff in the final. He may have won, but Fitzlaff had to earn this victory in a tough fight as the three hounded him until the waning moments of the race.
LMP was much the same story. Fitzlaff again on pole with Lack winning the first heat and advancing over Kamikawa and Dorn. The second heat appeared as if it would be another win for the Black family as father Bill had the lead. He was being pressured throughout the race by Kristof. In the last minute Kristof overtook Black and went on for the win.
Black, Kristof, Lack, and Wiedemann fought in the semi-final with Black again being beaten by Kristof only this time it was for the transfer spot into the final. Kristof and Lack would encounter handling problems and were never a factor after the first half. Wiedemann did his best to keep Fitzlaff at bay, however the veteran had the race in hand and took the win going away in the last few minutes.
The next ISF event is the Waukesha Grand Prix at Deckertring.
Until then...it's not bad being in the pits!
Steve The Wrench Ratchett
INTERNATIONAL SPORTSCAR FEDERATION
Official Finish, Event # 2015-08
Larry Rotter Memorial Grand Prix presented by RacingNation.com
January15, 2015
F1Grand Prix Category -- 16 Minute Final
Pos. Driver Car
Heat Winners: Andy Black, Kamikawa
Semi Final: Kamikawa
Pos. Driver Car
- Mike Fitzlaff-Nissan GTP Mike Lack-Tamiya Jaguar
- Everet Kamikawa-Marlboro Shell Ferrari
- John Wiedemann-Silk Cut Jaguar
- Andy Black-Peugot GTP
- Mike Kristof
- Mike Lack-Red Bull F1
- Bill Black-Shell Porsche
- Pete Dorn-Mercedes
- Keith Lindbeck-Mercedes
Heat Winners: Andy Black, Kamikawa
Semi Final: Kamikawa
LMP Category -- 16 Minute Final
Pos. Driver Car
Heat Winners: Kristof, Lack
Semi Final: Lack
Pos. Driver Car
- Mike Fitzlaff-Nissan GTP Mike Lack-Tamiya Jaguar
- John Wiedemann-Silk Cut Jaguar
- Mike Lack-Red Bull F1
- Mike Kristof
- Bill Black-Peugot GTP
- Everet Kamikawa-Marlboro Shell Ferrari
- Pete Dorn-Mercedes
- Keith Lindbeck-Mercedes
- Andy Black-Peugot GTP
Heat Winners: Kristof, Lack
Semi Final: Lack
