VIR Friday Notebook
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News and notes from the paddock at VIR during the third Formula Race Promotions event of the 2016 season.
- Ryan Bjerke pitted during the morning F1600 Series session, jumping out of his car to help diagnose a fuel pressure issue.
- K-Hill Motorsports continues to have the biggest presence in the Formula Race Promotions paddock. This weekend the team is fielding Atlantic Championship point leaders Ryan Norman and Bruce Hamilton. In F1600 the team has a triple-threat with Peter Portante, Hans Ada and Neil Verhagen.
- Making his F2000 debut for the 2016 season is John LaRue, in the red No. 17 Citation. LaRue won at Mid-Ohio in 2014 and was fastest in the opening practice session on Friday.
- Steve Bamford only saw five laps in the opening F2000 practice session as his team worked to fix a mechanical issue with the car.
- David Grant has taken his talents back to the Atlantic Championship Series. The 2012 Atlantic title-winner is taking a breather from F2000 competition and is strapping back into a Swift 016/Mazda prepared by Polestar. Grant last drove in Atlantic in 2012, and won four races that season. Brother Keith (the 2015 Atlantic Champion) let his presence be known, as he paced the morning practice session ahead of points leader Ryan Norman.
- Where is the No. 69 Radon after winning in dramatic fashion in F2000 at Watkins Glen in May? Skipping VIR to develop new parts, according to a statement. The team excepts to be at Mid-Ohio in four weeks time.
- Devin Lesueur is making his 2016 debut in the F2000 Championship Series in a sleek grey No. 05 Van Diemen.
- Chassis competing this weekend in F2000 include some of the best: Citation, Van Diemen, Metrik and Radon. In other news, expect a recent past Champion back in the field before the year is out.
- VIR plays host to a Formula Race Promotions weekend for the 11th straight season. The challenging 17-turn track is popular amongst the paddock, and offers a friendly atmosphere and great facilities.
- The weather forecast calls for scattered thundershowers all weekend, meaning Formula Race Promotions teams will be keeping an eye to the radar to be prepared ahead of each session.
- R-Sport has taken its F2000 Championship Series effort from one car to two. The Paul Rieffle-led team is fielding Bob Reid in the black and gold No. 12 and Tom Fatur in the red No. 70.