2012 Skip Barber Presents the Mazda Winter Series Kicks-Off at Virginia International Raceway

The 2012 Skip Barber Presents the Mazda Summer Series began at the scenic Virginia International Raceway with a weekend full of exciting races. Highschool junior Kenton Koch switched from the Skip Barber Formula car to the MAZDASPEED Challenge. Veteran racer Bryan Hixon showed his progress winning both of his races. On the Formula side, Jack Mitchell Jr. also experienced a fantastic weekend full of podiums. Jake Eidson, the Skip Barber Racing School Winter Series Champion, demonstrated that he is ready to battle for the Summer Series Championship and Adrian Starrantino proved to be a serious competitor as well.

Group 1 Race 1: Skip Barber Presents the Mazda Summer Series, MAZDASPEED Challenge

Good start to the race, into turn three single file and Ben Albano leads.  There is a rumble coming up under the bridges. There’s a two car breakaway. Hixon has a run. They are close. Through turn seventeen Ben Albano is still the leader. By lap three, the top two are making a breakaway. Ben Albano and Bryan Hixon still lead. Cal Meeker dropping back a little bit more. The three car breakaway lead in turn fourteen. The gap is getting much bigger to Cal Meeker. The top three remain. There is a great battle going on for fifth between Pablo Cisilino and Felix Borodaty. Lap seven brings trouble for Ben Albano when he power slides into turn one. Bryan Hixon capitalizes from this mistake and takes the lead. Bryan Hixon maintains this lead to the checkered flag.

Group 1 Race 2: Skip Barber Presents the Mazda Summer Series, MAZDASPEED Challenge

 Bryan Hixon is leading to turn three and he has a great line. Three cars side by side in turn three.  There is a two car breakaway with Bryan Hixon and Cal Meeker out in front. Lap two brings no calm as they are buzzing down into turn one. The top two are making a run away in turn three. Cal Meeker is chasing Daniel Conway. Ben Albano putting the pressure on Daniel Conway for third position. Felix Borodaty is now back to fifth. Bryan has some breathing room in the lead. Ben Albano is now in third followed by Daniel Conway. Ben Albano is on the run, he may catch the lead pack and it could be a great race to see. By lap eight, Daniel Conway takes the second position followed by Cal Meeker while Bryan Hixon remains in the lead. Cal Meeker goes four off in turn oen on lap nine sending Felix Borodaty into the third position. Bryan Hixon takes the checkers followed by Daniel Conway and Felix Borodaty.

Group 1 Skip Barber Presents the Mazda Summer Series, MAZDASPEED ChallengeStarting Position in Parenthesis

Group 1 Race 1  Group 1 Race 2 1. (2) Bryan Hixon   1. (1) Bryan Hixon 2. (3) Cal Meeker - M   2. (3) Daniel Conway 3. (4) Daniel Conway   3. (4) Felix Borodaty - GM 4. (5) Felix Borodaty - GM   4. (6) Matt McMurry 5. (1) Ben Albano   5. (8) Pablo Cisilino - M 6. (7) Zoran Mitrovski - M   6. (6) Zoran Mitrovski - M 7. (8) Aaron Fernandes   7. (9) Tom Baluk 8. (10) Pablo Cisilino - M   8. (2) Cal Meeker - M 9. (6) Tom Baluk   9. (7) Aaron Fernandes 10. (9) Jonathan Joseph   10. (10) Jonathan Joseph Top Master: Cal MeekerPole Position: Ben AlbanoFastest Lap: Ben Albano (2:21.689)

   Top Master: Felix BorodatyPole Position: Bryan HixonFastest Lap: Ben Albano (2:22.104)

Group 2 Race 1: Skip Barber Presents the Mazda Summer Series, Formula Skip Barber

The group gets a wave off the first time by. Next time they get the green flag. By lap three there’s a pop for the lead but Jake Eidson hangs onto it at the end of turn two.  Single file through turn three. Greg Strelzoff hangs out in fourth waiting to make a move.  Adrian Starrantino advances to sixth from his eleventh starting spot. Everything remains the same through Oak Tree. Drivers are still fighting for positions, it is not a runaway race for any one at this point. Three way battle and Jake Eidson overtakes Tristan DeGrand. Adrian Starrantino is charging through the field. Back to single file in turn three. Jim Wilby spins in turn one. Jack Mitchell Jr. had a good run out of turn ten. The top three are nose to tail down the back straight. The leaders are Jack Mitchell Jr., Tristan DeGrand and  Jake Eidson on lap four. On lap seven Tristan DeGrand drives away from Jack Mitchell Jr for the lead while Adrian Starrantino is only two and half seconds behind them. Tristan DeGrand has a big lock up on lap nine allowing Jake Eidson and Jack Mitchell Jr. to retake the lead.

Group 2 Race 2: Skip Barber Presents the Mazda Summer Series, Formula Skip Barber

Heading into turn one there is side by side action. Jack Mitchell Jr. gets second place heading into turn three. A big line through turn three,  Jake Eidson leading through turn four. Greg Strelzoff is in fifth place. Leader has two car lengths under bridge. Jake Eidson over Jack Mitchell Jr. over Tristan DeGrand is the lead pack in turn ten. Lap three brings more excitement. In turn one it looks like Tristan DeGrand may have the lead and takes it.  Big run!  Jack Mitchell Jr. is looking on the inside.  Tristan DeGrand has a little lead in turn four. A new leader in turn ten, Clark Toppe is making his way up the pack.  Three wide in turn fourteen, Jake Eidson takes it. Bobble by Jake Eidson in turn seventeen. On lap seven we discover geese on the track, the cars come super close but the geese all make it through safely. Jack Mitchell Jr. is still the leader and then Tristan DeGrand in turn one. Adrian Starrantino chasing after the leaders. Alejandro Gonazales and Jim Wilby have contact which sends Jim Wilby into the tire barrier in turn one. Jack Mitchell Jr. manages to hold onto the lead over Tristan DeGrand and Greg Strezloff.

Group 2: Skip Barber Presents the Mazda Summer Series, Formula Skip Barber

Starting Position in Parenthesis

Group 2 Race 1   Group 2 Race 2 1. (1) Jake Eidson   1. (2) Jack Mitchell Jr. 2. (3) Jack Mitchell Jr.   2. (13) Lonardo Jafet 3. (2) Tristan DeGrand   3. (6) Greg Strelzoff - M 4. (11) Adrian Starrantino   4. (4) Adrian Starrantino 5. (4) Andrew Longe   5. (14) Clark Toppe 6. (5) Greg Strelzoff - M   6. (1) Jake Eidson 7. (8) Bobby Eberle - M   7. (7) Bobby Eberle 8. (14) Alejandro Gonzalez   8. (5) Andrew Longe 9. (9) Jisu Kim - M   9. (9) Jisu Kim - M 10. (12) Parker Nicklin   10. (10) Parker Nicklin 11. (10) Greg Holloway   11. (8) Alejandro Gonzalez 12. (7) Gus Doppes - GM   12. (12) Jim Wilby 13. (13) Jim Wilby   13. (11) Gus Doppes - GM 14. (6) Chris Hawley     Top Master: Greg StrelzoffPole Position: Jake EidsonFastest Lap: Adrian Starrantino (2:10.400)   Top Master: Greg StrelzoffPole Position: Jake EidsonFastest Lap: Jake Eidson (2:10.495)

Group 3 Race 1: Skip Barber Presents the Mazda Summer Series, MAZDASPEED Challenge

Kenton Koch leads the field side by side in turn one. Steve Craige and Daniel Conway right behind Kenton.  It is a tight pack in turn four.  Kenton Koch is out front and has a big lead. Greg Holloway went four off to avoid the stacked up pack in Oak Tree.  On lap four Daniel Conway has second, Jim Craige in third and Deyne Bentt closing in to fourth.  Kenton Koch is walking away from P2, P3, P4. Top podium spots still undecided yet. Lap seven brings Jim Craige in the second position while Kenton Koch is not letting up and putting in his best laps. Deyne Bentt is doing a good job in third place on lap nine. Chris Brassard makes up some ground in the battle for fifth position during lap ten. Daniel Conway takes over the second position on lap eleven from Deyne Bentt.

Group 3 Race 1: Skip Barber Presents the Mazda Summer Series, MAZDASPEED Challenge

Clean start with Kenton Koch in the lead through turn five over Jim Craige. A nice battle between Felix Borodaty and Cal Meeker in turn ten. In turn one the running order remains the same. But Daniel Conway is closing the gap on second place.  Kenton Koch has a lift in turn three giving Jim Craige an advantage.  The top five are stable at the moment.  A good battle for sixth with Deyne Bentt over Chris Brassard. Daniel trying to close the gap on Kenton in from third. Steve Craige gets around Chris Brassard in turn fifteen on lap three. On lap five Jim Craige has a good line in turn three and closes in on Kenton Koch. Daniel Conway has solid third but overdriving in turn four.  Jim Craige closing the gap on the entry to the esses.  Jim Craige won’t take the bait of Kenton Koch wanting him to pass. Kenton Koch and Jim Craige are playing for position. There is a four car battle at the back of the pack. Kenton Koch and Jim Craige are tight all the way to the end but Kenton comes away with the victory.

Group 3 Skip Barber Presents the Mazda Summer Series, MAZDASPEED ChallengeStarting Position in Parenthesis

Group 3 Race 1   Group 3 Race 2 1. (1) Kenton Koch   1. (1) Kenton Koch 2. (10) Jim Craige - M   2. (2) Jim Craige - M 3. (2) Daniel Conway   3. (3) Daniel Conway 4. (5) Deyne Bentt - M   4. (5) Felix Borodaty - GM 5. (7) Felix Borodaty - GM   5. (10) Steve Craige - GM 6. (8) Chris Brassard - GM   6. (11) Zoran Mitrovski 7. (11) Cal Meeker - M   7. (4) Deyne Bentt - M 8. (6) Greg Holloway   8. (6) Chris Brassard - GM 9. (12) Steve Nelson - GM   9. (8) Steve Nelson - GM 10. (9) Steven Mayer - GM   10. (7) Cal Meeker - M 11. (3) Steve Craige - GM   11. (9) Steven Mayer - GM 12. (4) Zoran Mitrovski - M     Top Master: Jim CraigePole Position: Kenton KochFastest Lap: Jim Craige (2:21.188)   Top Master: Jim CraigePole Position: Kenton KochFastest Lap: Jim Craige (2:21.312)

Group 4 Race 1: Skip Barber Presents the Mazda Summer Series, Formula Skip Barber

Big pop on the outside in turn one.  Jack Mitchell Jr. is looking into the outside.  Chris Hawley gets two off in turn two.  Adrian Starrantino running in fourth at turn two.  No pops in turn three.  Two car breakaway running up the hill.  Nick Silva moves up to fourth position.  Clean through Oak Tree.  No pops for the lead but fourth for the pop.  Nick Silva trying to get around Greg Strelzoff but it doesn’t happen. Lap three, it’s the Jake Eidson and Jack Mitchell Jr. show in turn one.  Adrian Starrantino five car lengths behind.  Best battle on track is for fourth position.  Leaders single file into turn one on lap five.  Adrian Starrantino is catching the leaders.  Greg Holloway makes a pass in turn one.  Greg Holloway has pressure from Clark Toppe.  Gap between second and third looks bigger.  Top three are equally spaced leaving Oak Tree.  Adrian Starrantino is closing in turn seventeen, look for a pop for him on Jack Mitchell Jr. into turn one. Clark Toppe goes down on course during lap six and a full course caution is brought out. Lap nine brings back the green flag and Jack Mitchell Jr. and Jake Eidson are leading.  Greg Holloway hits Ryan Verra both cars should continue.  Jack Mitchell Jr. over Jake Eidson at the hill then Adrian Starrantino.  Gap back to Greg Strelzoff and Peter Portante.  They are equally spaced through Oak Tree. Leaders remain in order through lap ten.  Jack Mitchell Jr. has a run in turn fourteen.  Jake Eidson makes the slingshot move and is the winner. 

Group 4 Race 2: Skip Barber Presents the Mazda Summer Series, Formula Skip Barber

In turn one all is clear.  Jake Edison followed by Jack Mitchell Jr. into turn three.  Single file into turn four.  Peter Portante is in turn three.  Pop for third and lead—but Jack Mitchell Jr. over Jake Eidson still and Peter Portante still in third into turn seventeen. Jake holds it in turn one on lap three, and Peter Portante holds onto third.  The top two have a breakaway.  The battle for third looking good in turns five and six. Leapfrogging up front in turn fifteen.  Greg Stezloff holding stead in sixth. Nick Silva will have a big run this time.  Nick makes a pass over Jack Jr in turn one on lap six. It is the Jake Eidson and Jack Mitchell Jr. show pulling away from the gap. Adrian Starrantino is in third, holding tight. Nick Silva may have a run in turn five. Ryan Verra gets ahead of Tom Goodhart in turn five-good pass.  Jack Mitchell Jr. pulls back in front of Jake Eidson and Nick Silva. Adrian Starrantino trying to make a pop on the straight. Jake Eidson makes a pass over Jack Mitchell Jr. on lap eight. Adrian Starrantino is well off Greg Stelzoff. Gus Doppes and Clark Toppe having a good battle. Jake Eidson has a comfortable lead on lap ten and holds onto it until the end.

Group 4 Skip Barber Presents the Mazda Summer Series, Formula Skip Barber

Starting Position in Parenthesis

Group 4 Race 1   Group 4 Race 2 1. (1) Jake Eidson   1. (1) Jake Eidson 2. (3) Adrian Starrantino   2. (3) Jack Mitchell Jr. 3. (2) Jack Mitchell Jr.   3. (2) Adrian Starrantino 4. (8) Peter Portante   4. (6) Greg Strelzoff - M 5. (5) Nick Silva   5. (12) Clark Toppe 6. (4) Greg Strelzoff - M   6. (10) Gus Doppes - GM 7. (6) Chris Hawley   7. (7) Chris Hawley 8. (12) Tom Goodhart - GM   8. (4) Peter Portante 9. (11) Bobby Eberle - M   9. (11) Ryan Verra 10. (10) Gus Doppes - GM   10. (8) Tom Goodhart - GM 11. (13) Ryan Verra   11. (5) Nick Silva 12. (9) Greg Holloway   12. (9) Bobby Eberle - M 13. (7) Clark Toppe     Top Master: Greg StrelzoffPole Position: Jake EidsonFastest Lap: Adrian Starrantino (2:10.202)   Top Master: Greg StrelzoffPole Position: Jake EidsonFastest Lap: Jack Mitchell Jr. (2:11.257)

Group 5 Race 1: Skip Barber Presents the Mazda Summer Series, MAZDASPEED Challenge

Kenton Koch in the lead, Jim Craige in second, Steve Craige third and Brett Hawkins in P4.  Jim Craige has a two car gap into turn one on lap three. Kenton Koch holds onto second.  Jim Craige leads it but Kenton Koch gaining on the entry to the esses.  Steve Craige has a run in turn fourteen.  Deyne Bentt is peddling hard in turn ten.  Pablo Cisilino is cruising into turn ten. Brett Hawkins is advancing on the leaders. Jim Craige is starting to pull away from Kenton Koch during lap five.  He has a four car lead into turn one.  Jim Craige bobbles and Kenton Koch is playing it cool.  Kenton doesn’t make the move just yet.  In turn seventeen the gap remains the same for the leaders. On lap eleven Jim Craige is out in front by four car lengths into turn one.  Kenton Koch is trying to work magic.  Kenton is closing the gap in turn five in the esses.  Kenton Koch takes the lead and Jim Craige has a drift.  It was a photo finish. 

Group 5 Race 2:Skip Barber Presents the Mazda Summer Series, MAZDASPEED Challenge

Weaving through turn one, Brett Hawkins in the lead. Steve Craige in third, Kenton Koch up to fourth from a back of the pack start.  Kenton looks for a pop at the bottom of the esses.  Brett Hawkins leading into turn ten. Bryan Hixon makes an outside pass in eleven.  There is a freight train in back. Jim Craige catches up to Kenton Koch during lap two, he misses a shift and goes a little slower.  Kenton moves up to second, Steve Craige in third and Jim Craige in fourth before the esses. Kenton Koch  is coming up to the leader in turn ten.  New leader in Oak Tree.  Brett Hawkins makes a pop before turn fourteen.  Jim Craige has a run this time.  Kenton Koch starts to pull away from the group. Brett Hawkins is doing a heck of a job and staying ahead of Bryan Hixon during lap six. Brett is having a strong run.  Running order remains for the front runners.  Jim Craige moves back to fifth. Kenton Koch catching some lap traffic in turns five and six during lap ten. Brett Hawkins still holding down second while Bryan Hixon is having a good run out of Oak Tree, no challenge for the position though. Bryan Hixon has the lap, Brett Hawkins gets second position back from Hixon—good battle before the bridge with Brett Hawkins and Bryan Hixon. Bryan Hixon made a pop for second on lap eleven but was two feet short at the line. What a race for Brett Hawkins!

Group 5 Skip Barber Presents the Mazda Summer Series, MAZDASPEED Challenge

Starting Position in Parenthesis

Group 5 Race 1   Group 5 Race 2 1. (1) Kenton Koch   1. (7) Kenton Koch 2. (2) Jim Craige - M   2. (1) Brett Hawkins 3. (3) Brett Hawkins   3. (0) Bryan Hixon 4. (5) Deyne Bentt - M   4. (4) Steve Craige - GM 5. (7) Harlan Hagge - GM   5. (8) Jim Craige - M 6. (4) Steve Craige - GM   6. (6) Pablo Cisilino - M 7. (8) Jeremiah Wolsk - M   7. (2) Deyne Bentt - M 8. (6) Pablo Cisilino - M   8. (3) Harlan Hagge - GM     9. (5) Jeremiah Wolsk - M Top Master: Jim CraigePole Position: Kenton KochFastest Lap: Kenton Koch (2:21.296)

   Top Master: Steve CraigPole Position: Brett HawkinsFastest Lap: Kenton Koch (2:22.333)

2012 Top 5 Skip Barber Presents the Mazda Summer Series Formula Skip BarberChampionship Point Standings (two worst finishes dropped)

35 pts Jake Eidson 35 Adrian Starrantino 35 Jack Mitchell Jr. 32 Tristan DeGrand 30 Greg Strelzoff - M

2012 Top 5 Skip Barber Presents the Mazda Summer Series MAZDASPEED ChallengeChampionship Point Standings (two worst finishes dropped)

35 pts Bryan Hixon 35 Kenton Koch 35 Brett Hawkins - R 32 Cal Meeker - M 32 Daniel Conway 2012 Skip Barber Presents the Mazda Summer Series Remaining Schedule

May 18-20, Watkins Glen, NYJune 15-17, Mont Tremblant, Canada (*No MAZDASPEED Challenge) June 29- July 1, Road America, WIJuly 12-14, Lime Rock Park, CTAugust 4-5, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, CA (Condensed)August  24-26, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, OHSeptember  7-9, Autobahn Country Club, ILSeptember 22-23, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, CA (Condensed) October 4-6, Lime Rock Park, CT