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OH/IN FFR’s Run Midwest
Autobahn
Joliet, IL -- Two OH/IN regulars
journeyed to northern Illinois to run on the Autobahn Country Club 2.1
mile South Track. Their main reason for this journey was to compete in
the 2-hour Enduro on Autobahns 3.5 mile Full Course. You can view the
related Enduro story by following this
LINK. Like every previous weekend this season, the weather was
perfect!
Ed Boothman (Naples, FL) and
Brian Sanders (Cincinnati, OH) squared off for a head to head battle as
the only two Challenge Series racers in attendance. Last year, both wins
at Autobahn went to Ed. They were tight races but Brian had nothing for
him. However, this year, the tide turned with both wins going to Brian.
A third of FFR driver, Steve Kolrud, was in attendance but he runs his
car in the Super Touring class.
Ed has struggled this year with
car problems and the associated lack of confidence in the car. But this
weekend, he really turned things around and by the end, was back to
running times comparable to last year. On the other hand, Brian is
continuing to have his best season yet. He has had is share of
misfortune with the car this season but with the help of his fellow
drivers has overcome those setbacks.
Saturdays race had the two
drivers starting side by side but Brian took an early lead and stretched
it into a fifty-two second victory. During the Saturday Enduro, Brian
broke a shock and had to make yet another repair to make the Sunday
race. On Sunday, the race director decided to grid all the cars in the
race group by their qualifying times. This put Brian in the fifth
starting position with Steve in nine and Ed in ten. With this starting
advantage, Brian again stretched out to an early lead. However, when the
car in front of Brian started smoking, he backed off in case this car
was about to blow an engine. After running several laps this way, Brian
could see Ed and Steve growing in his rearview. About this same time the
smoking car began to slow and Brian was able to pass safely and go on to
his second victory of the weekend. Ed and Steve ran very close to each
other during the race. They exchange positions on several occasions.
You can read the full Enduro
story at the link above. Here’s a brief summary. Brian led Ed until the
pit stop. Brian’s stop was not flawless and Ed’s was. After the pit
stops, Ed was ahead of Brian. Seven laps later, Brian re-took the lead
with Ed staying close behind. With three laps to go, Brian breaks a
shock and is out of the race from third place overall. Ed takes over
third place and finishes the race on the podium. Way to go ED!!
The next stop for the Challenge
Series racers is the long and fast 4 miles of Road America.
C’ya at the track!
--Brian Sanders
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