RACE: F1000 Nat'l drivers June Sprints preview

F1000 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVERS SET FOR 2009 JUNE SPRINTS
Two former SCCA National Champions among the good-sized field at Road America

ELKHART LAKE, WIS. (June 17, 2009) -- When the schedule for the inaugural F1000 National Championship Presented by George Dean Racing Engines and Taylor Race Engineering was announced back in January, one race that every participant was looking forward to was the SCCA Chicago Region June Sprints. This weekend (June 20-21), that renowned event is finally here, and the top Formula 1000 drivers from across the nation will be gathering at the famed Road America road course in Wisconsin.

As the newest junior formula car class to gain SCCA National status, Formula 1000 (FB) participation numbers have been steadily growing throughout the year. This is evident by the near record 12-car turnout for the 2009 edition of the June Sprints, which is just one short of matching the inaugural F1000 Championship race in 2007.

As expected, the entry list for the 2009 June Sprints race features a who's who of the F1000 class. Among those worth keeping an eye on are Mark Jaremko (No. 8 Phoenix F1K 09), Glenn Cooper (No. 43 Novak/Van Diemen RF99 F1000), Niki Coello (No. 81 Ralph Firman Racing F1000), Kyle Oberndorf (No. 2 Stohr F1000) and John Stecher (No. 07 Stohr F1000). Jaremko not only enters the event currently second in the championship standings, behind David Burkett (Stohr F1000), but is a four-time SCCA National Champion in the D Sports Racing class. Cooper, currently third in the yearlong title fight for F1000 supremacy, is the defending June Sprints race winner. Coello, is a three-time SCCA Formula Continental National Champion and three-time SCCA Triple Crown winner, and will make his F1000 debut at June Sprints. Both Oberndorf and Stecher finished on the podium in the 2008 edition of the race.

The list of different manufacturers is just as impressive. In addition to the previously mentioned Phoenix F1K 09, Stohr F1000, Novak/Van Diemen RF99 F1000 and Ralph Firman F1000, the Speads FB (Chris Waterman), Citation F1000 (Brandon Dixon) and Formula Continental conversion cars will be attendance.

While the June Sprints trophy and bragging rights are what the majority of the FB drivers will be seeking come race time, prize money is also up for grabs. The winner of the race will receive $300 and be one step closer to completing the Riltech Racing/Speads Hat Trick - win the June Sprints, their SCCA division title and the F1000 Champion Race at the ARRC -- earning $1,000. Points earned at the June Sprints will also assist drivers in winning the F1000 National Championship Presented by George Dean Racing Engines and Taylor Race Engineering title, which has a $5,000 points fund.

The on-track action for the F1000 National Championship Presented by George Dean Racing Engines and Taylor Race Engineering competitors commences on Friday morning (June 19), with a practice session, followed by the first of two qualifying sessions later in the day. Saturday will feature a second qualifying session in the morning, prior to the 13-lap June Sprints race in the mid-afternoon. Live timing of all the F1000 action will be available at www.livetiming.net/SCCA/club/livetiming.asp

For more information or to register for the 2009 F1000 National Championship Presented by George Dean Racing Engines and Taylor Race Engineering, please contact series organizer Mike Beauchamp via gyrodynamics@new.rr.com or by visiting www.formula1000.com.

About F1000 National Championship:
Formed in 2009, the F1000 National Championship Presented by George Dean Racing Engines and Taylor Race Engineering is a yearlong SCCA Club Racing National competition. The series features high-performance tube-frame Formula 1000 race cars that are powered by 1000cc motorcycle engines. One of the newest SCCA National classes, it features both purpose-built cars and Formula Continental conversions cars, with top speeds in excess of 130 mph. Thanks to backing from George Dean Racing Engines, Taylor Race Engineering, Hurley Racing Products, NovaRace, Quicksilver RacEngines, Williams Racing Developments, Fast Forward Components/Piper Race Cars/Zat Graphics, eFormulaCarNews.com, Pegasus Auto Racing Supplies, GyroDynamics and Slick Eyewear, F1000 National Championship competitors will not only be fighting for class bragging rights, but also $5,000 prize fund and season-ending awards.

-credit: f1000nc