Rochester, MI – (7/20/2023) – The Formula 5000 Drivers Association is pleased to announce the results of the second round of its 2023 revival racing series at the WeatherTech International Challenge with Brian Redman at Road America on July 15-16, 2023.
Finishing first in F5000 Class A (pre-1972 cars) was Bruce Leeson in a 1969 McLaren M10B. Second in Class A was Tom Simpson in a 1972 McKee Mk18. Paul Dudiak was third in his 1969 McKee Mk12C. The three drivers repeated their one/two/three finishing positions in class both in the Saturday Qualifying Race and the Sunday Feature Race running very strong and consistent laps. Attrition due to track incidents and mechanical problems to other Class A cars made the final results easier for the top three finishers.
Finishing first in F5000 Class B (1972-1976 cars) and first overall in the group was Kirt Bennett in the ex-Al Unser white and blue 1974 Lola T332. Bennett outpaced the rest of the F5000 group with laps times around 2.08 minutes. After a mechanical problem on Saturday, which hobbled his car, Australian driver Paul Zazryn put an excellent show in the feature race on Sunday starting sixth on the grid and finishing second overall and in class in his red 1974 Lola T332.
Finishing third in Class B in his 1973 McRae GM1 was Jim Stengel after an engine change during the weekend.
After the second round of racing for the 2023 season, Philip Lewis has a slight edge on Kirt Bennett for the lead in the Formula 5000 Championship Points in Class B. Bruce Leeson leads the standings in Class A with Dave Zavetsky only a couple of points behind from the first round at Road Atlanta. With two more rounds to go, the 2023 championship is still wide open for the taking among the top 8 drivers.
The Formula 5000 series now heads to Laguna Seca for the third and fourth rounds of the championship at the Rolex Monterey Reunion and Pre-Reunion on August 12 through 19, 2023. With an expected field of nearly 25 race cars from the U.S., Australia, England, and New Zealand, it should be a great show for participants and race fans.
The U.S. Formula 5000 Drivers Association is a membership organization established to promote the restoration, presentation, registration and racing of historic Formula 5000 race cars. (www.F5000Registry.com).
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