2016 ISF Schedule

Aug 27 - Pre-season testing/Media Night - The Shrine Desert Road Course

Round 1 - Sep 3   - Trokan Cup 500 - Mini Milwaukee Mile

Round 2 - Sep 17 - Badger Brawl - Badger Raceway

ISF Sep 24       Rapids Invite-Rapids International Raceway=F1/GTP

Round 3 - Oct 1    - West Bend Grand Prix - Lack Track *-Thursday night

ISF Oct 8         Lack Track                                           F1/GTP/SHUMC

Round 4 - Oct 15  - Slots-A-Fun 400 – Stardust Speedway

ISF Oct 22       Turtle Trot                                            F1/SHUMC

Round 5 - Oct 29  - Halloween Havoc - Quarry Heights Raceway

ISF Nov 5         Southshore                                          F1/SHUMC

Round 6 - Nov 12  - Turkey Trot - The Inside Edge at South Shore Superspeedway - deslot rules

ISF Nov 19      Waukesha                                             F1/GTP

Round 7 - Dec 3    - Duane Sweeney Memorial Grand Prix - Badger Raceway - open class rules

ISF Dec 10       Muskego                                              F1/GTP/SHUMC

Round 8 - Dec 17  - Christmas Classic - The Shrine Desert Road Course

Round 9 - Jan 7     - Raven 250 - TBD

ISF Jan 14    Wauwatosa                                             F1/GTP

Round 10 - Jan 21 - Too Clean Laundry Grand Prix - Rapids International

ISF Jan 28       Waukesha                                             F1/GTP

Round 11 - Feb 4   - Deckertring Grand Prix - Deckertring

ISF Feb 11       Lack Track                                           GTP/SHUMC

Round 12 - Feb 18 - Quarryfest Deslotmania - Quarry Heights Raceway - deslot rules

ISF Feb 25       Southshore                                           GTP/SHUMC

Round 13 - Mar 3  - Stardust 500 – Stardust Speedway

ISF Mar 10      make up date

Round 14 - Mar 17- The Shrine Cup - The Shrine Desert Road Course

ISF Mar 24      Rotter Memorial      F1/SHUMC championship night

Round 15 - Mar 31- Larry Rotter Memorial Grand Prix - Turtle Creek Park Raceway - open class rules

Round 16 - Apr 9   - HO Indy 500 - South Shore Superspeedway ***- currently the only Saturday event

ISF April 14     Rapids GP            GTP/SHUMC championship night

ISF April 21     Muskego               F1/GTP/SHUMCISF April 28   make up date
Apr 21 - Awards Banquet - Club Paragon

Deckertring: Impressive Isn't It?

(This article was originally published in 2005)

The Deckertring.

Impressive.
Even the name strikes a certain cord in the lexicon of race fans.

Starting on the main straight you fly past the pits and the timing line and carry the speed into the wide turn one righthander.

There is a short straightaway and you need that to scrub off speed for hitting the brakes a little harder than you think you would need to as you turn in for turn #2 otherwise known as

"the learning curve." Carry too much speed into the turn or hit the gas too soon and you hit a very hard wall that will jar the spine of an elephant.

Coming out of the learning curve you enter the forrested area of the track as you go through a valley with hills covered with pine trees and spectators. This straight ends in a sharp right-left-right chicane.

If you have a car with a lot of mechanical grip you might be able to carry most of your speed through it.

Coming out of the chicane is another right hand turn, only this one is blind as it runs right next a hill. A short straight is all you get to get the car settled as you immediately turn right again and accelerate

to top gear on the second longest straight as you enter the infield of the track. At the end of this straight is the stadium section.

A sharp right-left kink acts as the entrance to a double apex 180 degree loop which takes you behind the pit garages.

The next turn is a left kink into a right hand turn. There is a short straight here. If the car has good aero and

mechanical grip you can punch the accelerator for the final right hand turn back onto the long main straight and carry all the speed past the pits and the timing line.

Fewer tracks are more fun for a driver or spectator.

If you go to a race at the Deckertring I suggest trying the cheese.

Steve The Wrench Ratchett

Indy Impressions 2005 or What the F Was That?

It has been 10 years since the goofy F1 race at Indianapolis in 2005 when only six cars, all running on Brigestone tires, took the start of the race when all the other teams boycotted because the Speedway wouldn't make changes to the track when it was proven Michelin tires on the other cars were not of proper construction for the cars to race safely on the track. In celebration of that race that I attended, I'm republishing this column I wrote just after the event.
-STWR

After visiting Indianapolis for the United States Grand Prix, I was originally going to write a column about the differences between Indy and the previous race I attended in Montreal.
That article was immediately scrapped after the pace lap of the 2005 USGP.
There are  so many thoughts that I have I think the only way to make sense of it all is to list them, and let you the reader figure out what order they go in:

-There are more cars on an average ISF grid then there were on the starting grid of the USGP
-If I was Michael Schumacher I would have jumped and reveled in the victory.
His competitors gave up. They went off the track crying. It's not his fault.
At the very least I would have sprayed the Champagne.

-Michelin runners could have taken the track and driven slower, or came in for tires with several multiple pit stops. If there was still a danger they could have retired the car "due to electrical problems, hydraulics, gearbox" or any number of other mysterious reasons and no one would have been the wiser
-Why couldn't Brigestone supply all the teams with tires?
-There is lots of talk about installing a chicane. Besides the stupidity of it and the safety issues, a chicane would have been WORSE for the tires because the drivers would have to have braked increasing the chances of flat spotting the tires and wearing them out faster!
-Jacques Villeneuve, Paul Stoddard and other drivers/managers that are blaming Ferrari for this are stupid. If the situation was reversed they wouldn't help Ferrari. Ferrari also had their equipment in working order so they could go racing.
-Maybe the Japanese business model of making reliable tires instead of mega fast experimental tires paid off.
 
-I think everyone wanted to see a Minardi on the podium!
-Strangely I don't feel screwed over. Ferrari won. Minardi was in the points. I think if the other activities I participated in weren't so much fun and all I was there for was the grand prix I would be disappointed.
-F1 better do A LOT to make up for this. Free tickets, refunds of this years tickets, and a long autograph session for all ticket holders would be a good place to start.
-Making sure all cars start the race in 2006 would be good too.
 
-I hope the idiots that run the IRL and CCWS finally realize that the fans are the ones that matter and that ultimately they are the ones who control the past, present, and future of open wheel racing.
-On a separate note, if the IRL is now going road racing, why isn't there an IRL race on the infield road course. Answer: because now that CCWS is a shell of its former self, there is no road racing series that can pack 100,000 people into the stands except F1. CART still holds the record of the largest single day sporting event in Wisconsin with over 100,000 fans packing Road America (1997 I believe)
 
-Indy is a heck of a lot more comfortable to watch and access a grand prix compared to a lot of other racing facilities, including purpose built F1 tracks.
-The fans got screwed again!
-There are lots more angles but if I keep writing them I think my head will explode!
-Just get it right for the fans F1, that is all I ask!
-At least Schumacher won!
-I will go back next year! Into Turn 4...
Steve "The Wrench" Ratchett  

Wiedemann GTP Fitzlaff LMP 2015 Champs

The 2015 ISF season came to a close Thursday with the crowning of two champions.
John Wiedemann won his first GTP title and Mike Fitzlaff won his second LMP title.

Fitzlaff finished out his impressive 2015 campaign with another win in the LMP division. While not quite as dominate in the LMP division as he was in the F1 division (he only won 10 races out of 12 he entered), there wasn't much doubting he would win the title. He did so by winning the pole and main event as other drivers tried but couldn't keep up with the pace of the veterean.

Wiedemann had a harder time putting the cap on his championship. He came into the event with a one point lead on Everet Kamikawa and two points on Mike Lack. One challenger fell off when Kamikawa didn't advance from his heat race. Lack won the pole position meaning Wiedemann would have to fight to keep him behind him in the points. Wiedemann and Lack both won their heat races so going into the final Wiedemann still had his two point advantage. Rookie Pete Dorn would help end Lack's challenge as the rookie raced clean and fast and overtook Lack for a career high second place finish. Lack had to settle for third with Dean Strom fourth and Fitzlaff fifth, while Wiedemann took his second GTP win this year to seal his first title.

The 2015 ISF season saw one veteran win his first title, one veteran having the most dominate season in league history. Four rookies took part including the win by one.
The 2016 ISF season will be a strong one!
Until next time...it's not bad being in the pits!
Steve "The Wrench" Ratchett

 

LMP Category -- 12 Minute Final
Pos. Driver Car

1.  Mike Fitzlaff-Nissan LMP
2. Mike Lack-Peugot
3. Pete Dorn-STP Peugot
4. John Wiedemann-RacingNation.com Peugot
5. Bill Black-Police Peugot
6. Everet Kamikawa-Audi R15 Black

Pole position: Mike Fitzlaff 5.231
Heat Winners: Black, Fitzlaff
Semi Final:Lack

GTP Category -- 16 Minute Final
Pos. Driver Car

1. Mike Lack-Tamiya Jaguar
2.  John Wiedemann-Silkcut Jaguar
3. Everet Kamikawa-Shell Marlboro Ferrari 
4. Mike Fitzlaff-Nissan LMP 
5. Pete Dorn-STP Toyota GTP  
6. Bill Black-Police Peugot

Pole position: Mike Fitzlaff 5.173
Heat Winners: Kamikawa, Lack
Semi Final:Lack

Handicapping The 2015 Austin Award Chase

Anyone can be a pundit and chime in two cents on who will be or should be a champion in the HO Indy Slotcar league. It takes a real handicapper to be able to pick the winner of the Austin Award for best comedian during the season.
I may not be the best prognosticator, however that isn't going to stop me from trying to predict the winner this year!

3. Everet Kamikawa: his addition of the announcer Lee Skippy was a welcome addition, however he wasn't as throughly explored during this year. His usual  list of characters like Harri Karri were welcome but he needs another new puppet. 

2. Dean Strom. Deano Bravo is great and Sergio is outstanding.
Dean's salted nuts take was a classic of all time.

1. The Winner:

Amy Butler: She hugs Sergio and then does an episode about driuver shoes. Consistantly the one announcer that the fans clammor to see. Funny as they may be, broadcasts aren't the same without her!


Congratulations Amy!

Until next time
It's not bad being in the pits!

Steve "The Wrench" Ratchett

Fitzlaff 2015 F1 Champ : Wins Rapids Invite

There are 15 events on the ISF schedule in 2015.
13 of them featured F1 races.
Mike Fitzlaff entered 12 of the 13 F1 events.
He won all 12 races and won the pole position in all 12 events!
"Unbelievable!" was defending champion Everet Kamikawa's comment. 
"My hat is off to him. It wasn't as if the rest of us were slow, we just couldn't hold him off. 
I've never seen anything like that, not even by John Shea."
The new champion was humble in victory as he has been all season,
"Shea is still the king and had the best season ever in 2009."
That may be the opinion of the 2015 champion, but it is hard to see how it is true.
A great accomplishment by a great driver.
He will see if he can add the LMP title at the last event of the 2015 season.

Mike Lack won his second GTP race of the season to vault into contention for the GTP title. With one race to go John Wiedemann has a one point lead over Kamikawa, who has a one point lead over Lack.

F1Grand Prix Category -- 16 Minute Final
Pos. Driver Car

1. Mike Fitzlaff-Jordan Peugot
2. John Wiedemann-Jaguar
3. Everet Kamikawa-Marlboro Shell Ferrari 
4. Mike Lack-Red Bull F1 
5. Pete Dorn-Mercedes
6. Bill Black-Williams Mechachrome

Pole position: Mike Fitzlaff 5.045
Heat Winners: Wiedemann
Semi Final:Lack

LMP Category -- 12 Minute Final
Pos. Driver Car

1.  Mike Fitzlaff-Nissan LMP
2. Mike Lack-Peugot
3. Pete Dorn-STP Peugot
4. John Wiedemann-RacingNation.com Peugot
5. Bill Black-Police Peugot
6. Everet Kamikawa-Audi R15 Black

Pole position: Mike Fitzlaff 5.231
Heat Winners: Black, Fitzlaff
Semi Final:Lack

GTP Category -- 16 Minute Final
Pos. Driver Car

1. Mike Lack-Tamiya Jaguar
2.  John Wiedemann-Silkcut Jaguar
3. Everet Kamikawa-Shell Marlboro Ferrari 
4. Mike Fitzlaff-Nissan LMP 
5. Pete Dorn-STP Toyota GTP  
6. Bill Black-Police Peugot

Pole position: Mike Fitzlaff 5.173
Heat Winners: Kamikawa, Lack
Semi Final:Lack

Lack Track Produces 3 Nacho Cheese Winners

13  races into the 2015 ISF season and an event finally produces a different winner in each division of F1, LMP, GTP. Previous events in 2015 had produced the same winner across the divisions in almost all cases. Usually that name was Mike Fitzlaff. 

 Fitzlaff was again at the top of the F1 division but this time just barely as he just finished ahead of John Wiedemann and Mike Lack. While no one would say Fitzlaff, who has been winning races in utterly dominant fashion this year, has lost anything (after all he still won) in pursuit of his perfect season, it is fair to say that the Mercedes and Red Bull programs of Wiedemann and Lack have stepped up the program as they have been Fitzlaff's main challengers over the last several races. Everet Kamikawa had been making that challenge however his Ferrari failed to start and he had to switch to a backup car and failed to get it out of the semi final. That gave rise to rookie Bill Black to make his debut in a final. The rookie drove a smart conservative race to learn racecraft from the elders to finish fourth on the night. Pete Dorn continued his steady performances in his rookie year to show the he will be a force to be reckoned with in the future. Keith Lindbeck finished seventh while Andrew Black missed practice and qualifying to finish eighth.

Fitzlaff pipped Wiedemann in F1, the favor was returned as Wiedemann pipped Fitzlaff in the LMP division taking his first win of the season for him. Lack again took third and Kamikawa fourth, ending his title defense as he was eliminated from championship contention. Bill Black took fifth, Dorn his consistent sixth, Lindbeck and Andrew Black again seventh and eighth.

GTP proved to be the most topsy turvey division of the night. While the fastest cars, for the rookies they also seem to be the easiest to drive. A veteran won as Lack took the win foiled by Jaguar teammate Wiedemann. Kamikawa in the Ferrari was third followed by Lindbeck won his heat race to advance proving to himself he can finish well. Andrew Black moved to fifth while Fitzlaff's Nissan didn't have the pace or the handling. Pete Dorn and Bill Black took the final two places on the night.

The next ISF race is the Rapids Invitational.

F1Grand Prix Category -- 16 Minute Final
Pos. Driver Car

1. Mike Fitzlaff-Jordan Peugot
2. John Wiedemann-Jaguar
3.  Mike Lack-Red Bull F1 
4. Bill Black-Williams Mechachrome
5. Everet Kamikawa-Marlboro Shell Ferrari
6. Pete Dorn-Mercedes
7.  Keith Lindbeck-Mercedes
8. Andrew Black-Williams Mechachrome

Pole position: Mike Fitzlaff 3.720
Heat Winners: Kamikawa, Wiedemann
Semi Final:Lack

LMP Category -- 12 Minute Final
Pos. Driver Car

1. John Wiedemann-RacingNation.com Peugot
2.  Mike Fitzlaff-Nissan LMP
3. Mike Lack-Peugot  
4. Everet Kamikawa-Audi R15 Black
5. Bill Black-Police Peugot
6. Pete Dorn-STP Peugot
7.  Keith Lindbeck-Audi R15
8. Andrew Black-Audi R15

Pole position: Mike Fitzlaff 3.969
Heat Winners: Lack, Wiedemann
Semi Final: Kamikawa

 

GTP Category -- 16 Minute Final
Pos. Driver Car

1. Mike Lack-Tamiya Jaguar
2.  John Wiedemann-Silkcut Jaguar
3. Everet Kamikawa-Shell Marlboro Ferrari 
4. Keith Lindbeck-MercedesGTP
5. Andrew Black-Butler Shell GTP 
6. Mike Fitzlaff-Nissan LMP 
7. Pete Dorn-STP Toyota GTP  
8. Bill Black-Police Peugot

Pole position: Mike Lack 3.847
Heat Winners: Lindbeck, Lack
Semi Final: Wiedemann

JW & Fitz Win Tosa GP

The ISF raced at a new track for the first time in five years as the Shrine Desert Road Course made it's league debut in the Wauwatosa Grand Prix. While the drivers agreed that the F1 and GTP cars made a stunning debut on the new track, half of the results were the same with two suprises.


 
The F1 championship edged closer to completion as Mike Fitzlaff won again and moved even closer to the title. His string of victories continues as he strives to be undefeated in all of his F1 starts in 2015. 



The GTP event went to John Wiedemann as the GTP title tightened between he, Fitzlaff, and Everet Kamikawa. The pleasant surprise of the event was Mike Kristof's pole position, the first of his ISF career.

The next ISF event is the It's Nacho Cheese It's My Cheese Grand Prix by RacingNation.com at Lack Track.
Until then...it's not bad being in the pits!
Steve The Wrench Ratchett

INTERNATIONAL SPORTSCAR FEDERATION
Official Finish, Event # 2015-11
Wauwatosa Grand Prix presented by RacingNation.com 
 February 27, 2015

F1Grand Prix Category -- 16 Minute Final
Pos. Driver Car

1. Mike Fitzlaff-Jordan Peugot
2. Mike Kristof-Jordan Peugot  
3. Everet Kamikawa-Marlboro Shell Ferrari
4. John Wiedemann-Jaguar
5. Mike Lack-Red Bull F1 
6. Bill Black-Williams Mechachrome
7. Andrew Black-Williams Mechachrome
8.  Keith Lindbeck-Mercedes
9. Pete Dorn-Mercedes

Pole position: Mike Fitzlaff 4.029
Heat Winners: Lack, Wiedemann
Semi Final: Kamikawa

GTP Category -- 16 Minute Final
Pos. Driver Car

1. John Wiedemann-Silkcut Jaguar
2. Mike Lack-Tamiya Jaguar
3. Mike Fitzlaff-Nissan LMP
4. Mike Kristof-Audi R15
5. Pete Dorn-STP Toyota GTP  
6. Everet Kamikawa-Audi R15 Black
7. Bill Black-Police Peugot
8. Keith Lindbeck-MercedesGTP
9. Andrew Black-Butler Shell GTP

Pole position: Mike Kristof 4.357
Heat Winners: Wiedemann, Lack, Dorn
Semi Final: Wiedemann

2015 Indyslotcar Raven 250 and Rapids Oval Debut in Pictures