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RACE: Valvoline Runoffs: Richard Spicer SRF preview

10 September 03: Richard Spicer, reigning and two-time SRF National Champion, is set to defend his title at the 2003 SRF National Championship. Spicer, who has won the championship the last two years, is one of the favorites to win his class. The ...

Edited: Dec 21, 2009, 5:33 AM

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10 September 03: Richard Spicer, reigning and two-time SRF National Champion, is set to defend his title at the 2003 SRF National Championship. Spicer, who has won the championship the last two years, is one of the favorites to win his class. The 2003 Valvoline Runoffs, the Olympics of amateur motorsports, will be held September 15-21, 2003 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Mansfield, Ohio.

Spicer takes his favorite-status in stride. "The Spec Racer class always is one of the hardest fought races at the Runoffs and there are plenty of drivers who are capable of winning the championship," said Spicer. According to Spicer, it takes a mixture of skill and luck to win the National Championship, "Even if you have the quickest car, you can lose time because of another competitor's mistake. This class is so competitive that a single mistake by anyone can cost you a place. It's not your fault. It's not his fault. It's just being unlucky enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Over 300 miles from where he lives, Mid-Ohio is not Spicer's home track. Spicer claims a physic connection to the track, "For some reason, I seem to have a bond with the track and I always do well at Mid-Ohio," joked Spicer. After a moment, he added, "Well other than the 2000 Runoffs when we had some problems."

Spicer has competed in the Valvoline Runoffs three times in his HagermanRaceEngineering/Spicer Racing SRF. His first year, 2000, saw him finish well down in the pack, but for the last two years, Spicer has taken the National Championship. "We've been fortunate that the gremlins that have hit the other competitors have overlooked us so far."

Spicer is optimistic but realistic about his chances to take his third consecutive National Championship. "I think the HagermanRaceEngineering Spicer Racing Team is the team to beat this year, but there are going to be more than twenty-five excellent drivers out there -- all of whom should be considered contenders."

-jj-

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