SPEEDSF CHALLENGE - DECEMBER 15, 2019 - ROUND 15 @ THUNDERHILL RACEWAY
INTRODUCTION
Well, THIS was certainly an EVENTFUL SpeedSF Challenge - a truncated session, crazy field expeditions, and major talking points to close out 2019’s SpeedSF Challenge at Thunderhill on the Bypass configuration. If it wasn’t recorded on video, did it really happen? 27 fast, faster, and fastest bois participated as evidenced by broken lap records across 3 classes. If you were there, you knew what went down. It wouldn’t have been an end-of-year Challenge session without the craziness for sure.
Class S1
World War II up in this madness - a Brit, a German, and an American get onto the asphalt and close dogfights ensued! Jeff Smith took home 1st place in his McLaren 600LT with a crazy close 1:54.459 lap time while Tom Tang ended up in 2nd place with his 1:54.504 lap time (so close to 1st though) in his 2015 Porsche 911 GT3. Unsung hero Gordon Peng put down a 1:55.885 lap time in the 2002 Chevrolet Corvette per usual. You round out that podium proud, good sir!
Class S2
Breaking records again, aren’t we, Chris? Chris MAYFIELD, that is. Sorry Chris Lee, not today.
The aforementioned Mayfield took home 1st place and broke the Class S2 lap record in his 2011 BMW M3 with great driving and a 01:55.548 lap time. The previous record was a 1:56.696, so great job here Chris!
Lee technically did break the record as well but only managed to get 2nd place this time with his 1:56.158 lap time in the 2007 BMW Z4M.
Gary, Gary, Gary, what happened buddy? 3rd place with your 1:56.218? Time to put some NOS in your horse and buggy!
Class S3
Apparently the only way Gary Yeung can get 1st place nowadays is to stand in for the winner during the podium photo.
The real winner, 1st place Kevin Schweigert (obviously not pictured), took his BRZ for a 1:56.902 lap time. This absolutely shatters the previous lap record of 1:57.945 on the Bypass configuration. What an excellent job here!
Gary Wong likes to follow in the footsteps of Gary Yeung, first in name and in now in podium placement. 2nd place greeted Gary Wong and TayTay with open arms thanks to the 1:57.225 “fast” lap. Ok, yes, it also beat the previous lap record, but maybe press the gas pedal down a little bit further?
3rd place went to proud dad Patrick Chio in his BMW E46 M3. For his efforts, a 1:59.103 lap time was earned, though more is definitely expected out of that S54 powerplant!
Class S4
No broken lap times here but proud track dad Matt Belter was the highlight of this class! Bringing home a medal after driving like a madman on one’s home track is an achievement. 3rd place is better than no place, and Matt did the podium proudly. Great job on the 02:04.990 lap time!
2nd place was firmly settled thanks to David Fitz-Randolph’s lap time of 02:04.025 in his 1995 Mazda Miata featuring home-built aero and a broken throttle body!
1st place featured future-dad Joe McGuigan who slapped down the 02:01.482 lap time in the FRS with that BDE (Big Dad Energy). Just look at that smile. He knows…. he knows.
Class S5
Cool, Scott Smith broke the S5 record in his finally-consistently-running Miata with his 2:05.311 lap time, beating out the previous S5 lap record of 2:06.006! 1st place is the best place to be. 2nd place went to Wa Huong in his Spec Miata who put down a 2:07.346 lap time, narrowly beating out Mia Mango who put in a 02:07.707 lap time in a Miata too. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Conclusion
A bittersweet ending to the Thunderhill double-header, typical of any SpeedSF Challenge season. Super proud of all the drivers who won their places throughout 2019 and THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the SpeedSF Challenge this year as well! For those who are still chasing podium finishes, more seat time, coaching, and watching videos of the track will certainly get you there!
As we look forward to Round 1 of the 2020 SpeedSF Challenge at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on Sunday, January 19, we want to say that we truly appreciate our sponsors and participants as it would not be possible without them!
We thank our sponsors Wine Country Motorsports, G-Loc brakes, Titan7 Wheels, Necksgen, and Charles Schwab for their continued and valued support. Please visit their respective websites to show your support and let them know SpeedSF sent you!
Again, our next SpeedSF Challenge will be held at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Again, please check out the event website by clicking here for more information!
