2014 ISF Review Movie generic music

Catch all the action from the 2014 ISF season!
New champions in all three divisions.
Larry Rotter's last race.
New rookies.
Farewell to two friends.
Even a cute dog.
Lots of action in this season!

Lack Wins 2014 GTP Shootout

Mike Lack climbed another rung toward a GTP championship with a
victory in the GTP Shootout at Lack Track. 
Lack bested a field that included four rookies. 
John Wiedemann took pole position and promptly won the first heat race to set himself up for the final. Transfering to the semi final was Lack and the last GTP champion Mike Fitzlaff. Both drivers narrowly beat rookie Keith Lindbeck who qualified third. Lindbeck is showing better speed in the GTP division and now needs to work on his handling to keep up with the series vets. 

Veteran Everet Kamikawa turned a poor qualifying into his advantage and won the second heat race and transfered to the semi-fianl with rookie Bill Black who was making his third career ISF start. Black kept a steady pace to beat fellow rookies Pete Dorn and Andy Black, both making their first ISF appearances. Black's steady pace kept him in the semi-final to the end of time, however he doesn't quite have the pace of veterans Kamikawa, Lack, and Fitzlaff who advanced to the final to take on Wiedemann.

The final was a good old fashioned slug fest as the powerful GTP cars can never stretch their legs on the short twisty Lack Track. Kamikawa led early but ran into two offs that dropped him to fourth from which he couldn't recover. Fitzlaff stubled throughout the first three quarters of the race before finally finding his footing toward the end to finish third. Wiedemann and Lack were quick in short order and traded the lead several times. Both jumping to a far lead on the other competitors. Lack took advantage of  three quick spins by Wiedemann and then carefully kept the faster car in sight to take the checkered flag before Wiedemann could recover.

The next race in the 2015 ISF season is the first edition of the Larry Rotter Memorial race, in honor of the former ISF champion, at the new location for Turtle Creek.  
Until then...it's not bad being in the pits!
Steve "The Wrench" Ratchett

INTERNATIONAL SPORTSCAR FEDERATION
Official Finish, Event # 2015-07
GTP Shootout Grand Prix presented by RacingNation.com 
December 11, 2014

Lack Track

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

1. Mike Lack-Tamiya Jaguar
2. John Wiedemann-Silk Cut Jaguar
3. Mike Fitzlaff-Nissan GTP
4. Everet Kamikawa-Marlboro Shell Ferrari
5. Bill Black-Shell Porsche
6. Keith Lindbeck-Mercedes
7. Pete Dorn-Mercedes
8. Andy Black-Peugot GTP

Pole position: John Wiedemann 3.750
Heat Winners: Wiedemann, Kamikawa
Semi Final: Lack

Want to Race a SHMUC?

The ISF has been racing since 2000. Indyslotcar since 1993. Most drivers in both series race in both series in some capacity. You wouldn't think there would be room for another series.
There is!
Sometimes racers just need to jump into a car and race for the pure joy of it.
Mario Andretti, AJ Foyt, Tony Stewart all race other cars just for the fun of it.
ISF champion John Wiedemann came up with just an idea for drivers to imitate those legends.
The Super Hot Modified Unlimited Championship.

Rules for the rule-less racing series to be known as the Super Hot Modified Unlimited Championship (SHMUC).

Chassis: Tyco 440 chassis. Any Tyco (440, 440x2, 440x3), (USA, Malaysian, European), (wide or narrow) chassis can be utilized.  Chassis must not be modified, shaved, or cut in any way.  Chassis must be stock and not physically altered (chassis can be mentally altered).

Body: Any slotcar body that you can get to fit on the chassis without altering the body or chassis and will remain on the chassis during normal racing conditions is allowed.  All wings and windows that are stock to the body must remain.  Older bodies can be missing items like side pipes, exhaust but any larger holes in the body caused by the missing pieces should be filled or taped up (this will be on a case by case basis with majority vote by event drivers ruling).

Electrical system:  Any way that you want to modify/replace the way the power gets to the motor is up to you, as long as there are no modifications to the chassis or body as noted above – they cannot be altered.

Armature:  Any arm that fits into the chassis without modification to the chassis is allowed.

Magnets:  Any magnets that fit into the chassis without modifications to the chassis are allowed.  Magnets can be glued or attached to the chassis in any way as long as they stay attached under normal racing conditions and do not alter the chassis.

Tires/Wheels: Run any tires/wheels that you would like.

Races
Heat races will be 6 minutes: two 3 minute halves with ISF style lane switch.
Top four drivers by lap/distance transfer to feature.
Feature race will be 8 minutes: two 4 minute halves with ISF style lane switch.

Unlimited offs for all races.  Race is only stopped for multicar accidents.

Race Schedule (in conjunction with ISF events)
10/23     RAPIDS
11/13     BADGER RACEWAY
1/15       TURTLE CREEK

1/29       DECKERTRING

3/26       RAPIDS

Points Awarded

1st                          18
2nd                        15

3rd                         12

4th                         10
5th                         7
6th                         5

7th                         3

8th or less           1

Have fun drivers!
Anything that keeps me employed can be all bad!
Until then...it's not bad being in the pits!
Steve "The Wrench" Ratchett

Fitzlaff Double Win Muskego Grand Prix

Mike Fitzlaff finished a dominating first half of the 2015 ISF season with two more wins.
The F1 division saw Fitzlaff take pole position by two-tenths over John Wiedemann.
Fitzlaff then used that speed to come from the back of the pack in the final to blitz the field in the second half of the

race to win by six laps. Wiedemann dropped to fourth in the final order just behind Everet Kamikawa and second place Dean

Strom. Mike Lack took fifth with Bill Black finishing 6th and Keith Lindbeck seventh with handling problems.




The LMP division was much the same story.
Fitzlaff on pole by two tenths of a second.
The rest of the field bunched close behind but in the end it was another runaway race win by Fitzlaff.
Dean Strom finished second. John Wiedemann pipped his teammate Mike Lack for third.
Everet Kamikawa took another fifth for the season. Bill Black outpaced Keith Lindbeck as both struggled to learn the newer
LMP cars.




The 2015 season continues with the Larry Rotter Memorial at Turtle Creek Raceway Park. 

Until next time...

It's not bad being...In The Pits
Steve "The Wrench" Ratchett 

INTERNATIONAL SPORTSCAR FEDERATION
Official Finish, Event # 2015-04
Rapids Grand Prix presented by RacingWisconsin.com
October 25, 2014

Rapids International Raceway

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

1. Mike Fitzlaff-Jordon Peugot
2. Dean Strom-Williams
3.  Everet Kamikawa-Ferrari
4. John Wiedemann-Jaguar
5. Mike Lack-Red Bull
6. Bill Black
7. Keith Lindbeck

Pole position: Mike Fitzlaff 4.087
Heat Winners: Everet Kamikawa
Semi Final: John Wiedemann

LMP Category -- 12 Minute Final

Pos. Driver Car

1. Mike Fitzlaff-Nissan LMP
2. Dean Strom-Annex Wealth Management LMP
3. John Wiedemann-KIA Peugeot 
4. Mike Lack-Tamiya Jaguar
5. Everet Kamikawa-Audi R15 Black
6. Bill Black 
7. Keith Lindbeck Dan Margetta-Ford Mustang LMP

Pole position: Mike Fitzlaff  4.081
Heat Winners: Fitzlaff, Lack
Semi Final: Lack

Fitzlaff Doubles Again!

Stop me if you've read this before.
Mike Fitzlaff winning the F1 and LMP events at an ISF event.
That is exactly what happened again, for the third time this season, at the Maxim Grand Prix at Southshore Speedway.

The largest field of the season kept Fitzlaff honest by leading at several points in both the heats and final races, however Fitzlaff again had the speed to pull away from his rivals. Fitzlaff's constat winning over the last three years have crowned him the distinction of the nickname "Michael Fitzmacher" as a spin on Michael Schumacher and following John Shea being called "Sheamacher" during his period of dominance. This is to take nothing away from Fitzlaff as he is having a dominate season after suffering massive foot injuries last year.

Fitzmacher couldn't quite pull off the threepeate as the GTP event was won by Everet Kamikawa.
Keith Lindbeck qualified third in GTP and raced in his first semi final in the division.
Bill Black returned for his second ISF career appearance and raced in a steady fashion that could make him more of a factor in races once he finds speed.

Until next time...

It's not bad being...In The Pits
Steve "The Wrench" Ratchett 

INTERNATIONAL SPORTSCAR FEDERATION
Official Finish, Event # 2015-05
Maxim Grand Prix presented by RacingWisconsin.com 

November 6, 2014

Southshore Speedway

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

1. Mike Fitzlaff-Jordon Peugot
2. Everet Kamikawa-Ferrari
3. John Wiedemann-Jaguar 
4. Mike Lack-Red Bull
5. Dan Margetta-Jordan Peugot
6. Bill Black-Force India
7. Keith Lindbeck-Marussia

Pole position: Mike Fitzlaff
Heat Winners: Dan Margetta
Semi Final: John Wiedemann

LMP Category -- 12 Minute Final

Pos. Driver Car

1. Mike Fitzlaff-Nissan LMP
2. John Wiedemann-KIA Peugeot
3. Everet Kamikawa-Audi R15 Black
4. Dan Margetta-Ford Mustang LMP
5. Mike Lack-Tamiya Jaguar
6. Bill Black-Peugot
7. Keith Lindbeck-Peugot

Pole position: Dan Margetta
Heat Winners: Wiedemann, Lack
Semi Final: Margetta 

GTP Category -- 16 Minute Final Pos. Driver Car

1. Everet Kamikawa-Shell Marlboro Ferrari
2.  Mike Fitzlaff-Nissan LMP
3. Dan Margetta-Shell Porsche
4. John Wiedemann-Silkcut Jaguar
5. Keith Lindbeck-Merceedes
6. Bill Black-Tenoras Toyota
7. Mike Lack-Tamiya Jaguar

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

Lack LMP Rapids Grand Prix Winner

"You better win this race again before you retire someday. We already have a car with your team colors painted for the trophy," said Gill Grump, Director of Media Relations for RIR, told Mike Lack several years ago after Lack had won the event for the first time.

It took five tries, however Lack eased Grump's worries by winning the 2015 Rapids Grand Prix in a hard fought battle with John Wiedemann. The two traded the lead often and only a late spin by Wiedemann allowed Lack the separation he needed to go on to the victory.

 "It was  a hard fought win, but those can be the best rewarding," said Lack. John and I have raced each other for so long we know each other's tactics so it is just a matter of seeing who can beat who."

Third place was held by pole sitter Dan Margetta. His hard charging style lead to a crash halfway through the event that left his fans disappointed but full of love for the drivers "wreckers or checkers" style. Mike Fitzlaff had speed but not handling as he crashed early in the event and wasn't able to return. Dean Strom finished fifth giving Audi its best show of the event finishing ahead of the 2014 champion Everet Kamikawa. 

The F1 division was another walk over by Mike Fitzlaff. It wasn't without drama however. Fitzlaff had a  massive crash early in the event. When marshalls determined it wasn't a racing incident they allowed him to enter the race again. he made the most of the opportunity by beating the field by six laps. John Wiedemann in his silver Jaguar  finished second after a hard battle with both Kamikawa in the Ferrari and Strom in the Williams. Mike Lack wasn't quite as quick and settled for fifth over Dan Margetta who had handling problems after cracking a front wheel hub. Margetta wasn't last however as that was saved for Hiroshi Kamikawa as he finished 7th in his ISF debut, even leading the field by two laps in his heat race at one point.

The next ISF event is the Maxim Grand Prix at Southshore Speedway.

Until next time...

It's not bad being...In The Pits
Steve "The Wrench" Ratchett 

INTERNATIONAL SPORTSCAR FEDERATION
Official Finish, Event # 2015-04
Rapids Grand Prix presented by RacingWisconsin.com
October 25, 2014

Rapids International Raceway

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

1. Mike Fitzlaff-Jordon Peugot
2. John Wiedemann-Jaguar 
3.  Everet Kamikawa-Ferrari
4. Dean Strom-Williams
5. Mike Lack-Red Bull
6. Dan Margetta-Jordan Peugot
7. Hiroshi Kamikawa-Stewart Grand Prix

Pole position: Mike Fitzlaff
Heat Winners: Mike Lack
Semi Final: Everet Kamikawa

LMP Category -- 12 Minute Final

Pos. Driver Car

1. Mike Lack-Tamiya Jaguar
2. John Wiedemann-KIA Peugeot 
3. Dan Margetta-Ford Mustang LMP
4. Mike Fitzlaff-Nissan LMP
5. Dean Strom-Annex Wealth Management LMP
6. Everet Kamikawa-Audi R15 Black

Pole position: Dan Margetta
Heat Winners: Fitzlaff, Lack
Semi Final: Fitzlaff

Kamikawa King Capturing 3 in 2015

It was a record breaking night for the ISF in two different ways.
1. A depleted field due to injuries and trips made it the smallest field in ISF history.
2. For the first time an ISF driver sweeps all three divisions in one event

The former Road Westallica returned to the ISF schedule after a several year abscence under a new name: The Streets of Elkhart Lake.
The circuit under went some minor changes that improved the track even more.
Wide radius turns connected by several medium length straights.
"It's my kind of track," said Ferrari/Audi driver Everet Kamikawa.
"A quick, medium length, point-and-squirt type of track."

The field was small but the racing was big.
Kamikawa finishing ahead of John Wiedemann and Corey Galbraith in F1, GTP, and LMP races.
Several drivers have won two divisions during one race event.
In 2004 John Shea won the GTP race and the twin F1 races, however Kamikawa was the first to win in three separate divisions.

INTERNATIONAL SPORTSCAR FEDERATION
Official Finish, Event # 2015-03
West Allis Grand Prix presented by RacingWisconsin.com
October 8, 2014
Lack Track

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

1. Everet Kamikawa-Ferrari
2. John Wiedemann-Jaguar  
3. Corey Galbraith-USF1

LMP Category -- 12 Minute Final

Pos. Driver Car

1. Everet Kamikawa-Audi R15 Black
2. John Wiedemann-KIA Peugeot
3. Corey Galbraith-Orange Peugot 

GTP Category -- 16 Minute Final
Pos. Driver Car

1. Everet Kamikawa-Marlboro Shell Ferrari
2. John Wiedemann-RacingNation.com Toyota
3. Corey Galbraith-Tenoras Toyota

Another Double for Fitz! Wolf Wins Too!

Another Double for Fitz! Wolf Wins Too!

Mike Fitzlaff was the dominant force in the races with wins in the F1 and LMP divisions in the It's Nacho Cheese, It's My Cheese West Bend Grand Prix presented by RacingWisconsin.com.
Where have we heard that before? I know. Last race! Fitzlaff took pole positions for both events.
Fitzlaff used the pole positions to put the the other drivers to shame as he ran away with the win in the F1 event over Everet Kamikawa, Mike Lack, John Wiedeman, Todd Wolf, and Keith Lindbeck.

Fitzlaff then converted his second consecutive pole position to win the second LMP event by another big margin over Mike Lack, John Wiedeman, Everet Kamikawa, Todd Wolf, and Keith Lindbeck. Fitzlaff now has a growing margin in the championship point standings for both divisions. 

The surprises of the night came in the GTP division.
Keith Lindbeck and Todd Wolf gave the crowd, paddock, and this writer something to talk about.
Both drivers were making just their second career start in the division. Leading off as the first driver to qualify, Lindbeck surprised everyone with a super fast lap. He downplayed his chances of retaining pole position because of the veteran drivers qualifying after him, however one by one all those drivers failed to top the time and Lindbeck had his first career pole in any division!
"Holy ....I'm not last!" was the second year drivers quote.
Lindbeck had to sit as he waited for the results of the semi-final to see whom he would race in the final to see if he could get his first career ISF win. The shot layoff may have hurt his feel for driving the ultra fast and grippy cars as he briefly led to the cheers of the crowd only to start having handling problems after the first quarter of the race. Rooting members of the paddock couldn't help as he dropped from first but did recover and gained some confidence and managed to score his first podium finish in his ISF career with a third place finish with Kamikawa fourth and Lack fifth.

While Lindbeck's race went down and up, Todd Wolf started with handling problems but found his stride after the first quarter and dispatched Kamikawa, Lindbeck, and second place finisher Wiedemann to score his first ISF win. 
"I love these cars!" screamed an excited Wolf.  
That's good. The ISF loves success for newer drivers.
Lindbeck and Wolf gave the league and fans that fun at this event.

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

INTERNATIONAL SPORTSCAR FEDERATION
Official Finish, Event # 2014-02
It's Nacho Cheese It's My Cheese West Bend Grand Prix presented by RacingWisconsin.com
October 2, 2014
Lack Track

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

1. Mike Fitzlaff-Jordan Peugot
2. Everet Kamikawa-Ferrari
3. Mike Lack-Jaguar
4. John Wiedemann-Jaguar  
5. Todd Wolf-Caterham
6. Keith Lindbeck-MaRUssia

Fastest Qualifier -- Fitzlaff
B Main Winner --Wiedemann

LMP Category -- 12 Minute Final
Pos. Driver Car

1. Mike Fitzlaff-Nissan Peugeot
2.  Mike Lack-Toyota Peugeot 
3. John Wiedemann-KIA Peugeot
4. Everet Kamikawa-Audi R15 Black 
5. Todd Wolf-Design Engine Peugeot
6. Keith Lindbeck-Digital DJ Audi R15

Fastest Qualifier -- Fitzlaff
B Main Winner --Lack

GTP Category -- 16 Minute Final
Pos. Driver Car

1. Todd Wolf-Shell Porsche
2.  John Wiedemann-RacingNation.com Toyota
3.  Keith Lindbeck-Tenoras Toyota
4. Everet Kamikawa-Marlboro Shell Ferrari
5. Mike Fitzlaff-Nissan GTP
6.  Mike Lack-Tamiya Jaguar

Fastest Qualifier -- Lindbeck
B Main Winner --Kamikawa

Fitzlaff Doubles Wins ISF 2015 Opener

Fitzlaff Doubles Wins ISF 2015 Opener

I almost just reposted a story from 2013 when Mike Fitzlaff won the two races that open the ISF season. He did it again this year in almost the exactly the same way as the 2015 ISF season started at the Deckertring for the first time. 

Injured during most of 2014 and still not fully recovered from his foot injury, Fitzlaff proved he is still the most dominant driver in the ISF since the departure of John Shea to the American Racing Alliance.  Fitzlaff ran away with the the win in the F1 event over John Wiedemann, Everet Kamikawa, and Mike Lack. Fitzlaff then won the LMP season opener by another big margin over Wiedemann, Lack, and Kamikawa.

Not everything went quite Fitzlaff's way on the night though as the ISF also ran the GTP division which was taken by Kamikawa. The next event is the RacingNation.com West Bend Grand Prix at Lack Track.

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

INTERNATIONAL SPORTSCAR FEDERATION
Official Finish, Event # 2015-01
ISF Season Opener presented by RacingWisconsin.com
September 26, 2014

Deckertring

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

1. Mike Fitzlaff-Jordan Peugot
2.  John Wiedemann-Jaguar 
3.  Everet Kamikawa-Ferrari
4. Mike Lack-Red Bull

LMP Category -- 16 Minute Final
Pos. Driver Car

1. Mike Fitzlaff-Nissan Peugeot
2. John Wiedemann-KIA Peugeot
3. Mike Lack-Toyota Peugeot
4. Everet Kamikawa-Audi R15 Black    
   
   GTP Category -- 16 Minute FinalPos. Driver Car 
   1. Everet Kamikawa-Marlboro Shell Ferrari
   2.  Mike Fitzlaff-Nissan Peugeot 
   3. Mike Lack-Tamiya Jaguar
   4. John Wiedemann-Silk Cut Jaguar
   

What Is the ISF

Welcome to the website for the International Sportscar Federation (ISF) and the American Racing Alliance (ARA), and a place for stories about Indyslotcar and
Super Hot Modified Unlimited Championship

Formed in the year 2000 the ISF has become one of the premier slotcar racing leagues in the United States.

Started by local slot car legends, Everet Kamikawa and John Shea, the ISF concentrates on the fun and strategy of racing, while trying to remain fair to all competitors and innovative in its approach to each event.

Looking to run different cars than other local leagues, while also taking advantage of cars people already had in their collections, the ISF originally ran an eight race schedule and consisted of two divisions, Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) and Grand Touring (GT). As the league expanded in membership and events, Formula 1 Grand Prix (F1GP) and Le Mans Prototype (LMP) divisions were added. The series runs two different divisions each race night and has at least 18 events per year (traditionally run between March and September) with 10-12 GTP and F1 events, and 5-7 GT and LMP events. Races are divided into heats, semi finals, and a final event giving all drivers plenty of track time.


One of two premier divisions, GTP cars are based on the Le Mans sportscars that ran the famous race in the late 80’s and early 90’s. All cars are stock AFX Super G+ chassis and bodies, with the exception of the rear hubs being replaced and a league sanctioned replacement tire instead of the stock rubber.

 
F1GP is probably the most popular division. Cars are based around the Tyco 440X2 chassis. Drivers run stock Tyco F1 bodies and are allowed to paint bodies to match any team in F1 history. The last few years has seen the F1 division mimic real Formula 1 races wherein drivers have to switch to an “option” set of tires (a.k.a. stock Tyco tires with groves and a white line painted around the tire).



GT cars were originally based around the Tyco 440X2 pan chassis, however starting in 2009 that chassis has been replaced by the AFX SRT chassis. Drivers can choose to run any grand touring racecar body that currently runs in any GT series world wide.

LMP cars are resin cast open cockpit cars and based on the Tyco 440X2 pan chassis. Drivers can paint these cars to match any in the ALMS series, or create teams and sponsors of their own.



For a brief period of time, the ISF ran a winter league based on the Indy Racing League. Known as SlotIRL, the series copied the IRL’s ovals only format and never caught on with drivers. For a few events it was paired with the ISF on race nights alternating with the newly formed F1 division, however the popularity of F1 soon overtook SlotIRL and it folded after 20 events.

While separate from each other, the ISF has a shared history with another local league.
The American Racing Alliance (ARA) is a league formed by John Shea in 1994. Based on oval short track stock car racing, the ARA was innovative for running metal bodies on Tyco HP7 chassis in four different divisions: Heavy Metal Challenge Series (current NASCAR Cup cars), Winston Racing Series Late Models (former Cup cars), Outlaw Late Models (dirt late model cars), and Nostalgia (Cup cars from 1984 and earlier).

  

Currently the ARA runs four divisions: Challenge Series (Current Cup COT cars), Super Stock (pre-COT cars from 1998-2000), Sportsman (1990’s Cup cars), and Nostalgia. The metal bodies have been replaced with stock bodies, and the divisions based around the Life-Like, Tyco 440X2 pan, and the Tyco HP7 chassis. The series now includes road courses in addition to ovals.


In addition to their innovative formats and chassis/body combinations, both the ISF and the ARA have been innovative in other areas as well. Races have been run “in the wet,” on a 1/64th scale version of Monza, the above mentioned option tires for F1, as well as a number of proprietary scoring and timing functions.

2015 ISF Schedule

The 16th season of ISF racing is here!

F1 and LMP will be in action again at all the tracks and joined by Road Westallica, back after a several year hiatus.
Lets go racing!

9/25 DECKERTRING=ISF SEASON 16
10/2 LACK TRACK=Racing Nation.com Nacho Cheese GP
10/9 ROAD WESTALLICA=Celebrating New Name GP
10/23 RAPIDS=Ev's Birthday GP
11/6 INSIDE EDGE=Maxim GP (who has the "trophy")
11/13 BADGER RACEWAY=Muskego GP
12/11 make up date or possible added race
1/15 TURTLE CREEK (IF AVAILABLE)=Larry Rotter Memorial Run (GTP Cars too)...
1/29 DECKERTRING=Waukesha GP
2/12 ROAD WESTALLICA=West Allis GP
2/26 INSIDE EDGE=St. Francis GP
3/12 LACK TRACK=Racing Nation.com West Bend GP
3/26 RAPIDS Invitational (GTP cars too)