Newey Wins to Close Lime Rock Weekend

Newey out front at Lime Rock

Brandon Newey survived a 20-lap F1600 Formula F Championship Series battle with Matias Koykka and eventually separated, breaking the draft, surviving a late race restart and winning his second race of the year after Koykka won in the morning during a doubleheader day at Lime Rock Park. Jeremy Grenier finished a career best second in the Citation/Honda, with Joe Colasacco third, completing the podium in a Van Diemen/Honda.

Newey extended his Championship points lead in the Bryan Herta Autosport Mygale/Honda.

Newey started the weekend at Lime Rock in a hole, with car problems keeping him off the track for most of Friday before qualifying. But, the American, who just completed his first year at Purdue University, relied on his Skip Barber days for qualifying, putting the Mygale on the front row, and finishing second in the first race, losing touch with Koykka after overheating his tires.

A few hours later, Newey had made changes on his car, and after battling with Koykka, was able to disappear into the distance before a late race yellow flag.

“The battle with Matias was really good,” said Newey, after the race. “The car was handling well and I’m happy to bring another win to Bryan Herta Autosport.”

Grenier improved his career best finish from third to second, the third coming earlier on Saturday.

“That was a tough second place,” said Grenier, who pulled into the pits follow the checkered flag with a flat tire. “I need to thank Eric Langbein for the car, it was terrific.”

Finishing third, after jumping from a vintage car into the F1600 Van Diemen, was Colasacco, in his best F1600 race to date.

Following those two, and completing the top five were Bill Valet and Steve Oseth, Valet being first of the Fords in a Swift DB-6.

Most placements behind Newey were inherited, with a late race incident between Koykka and Art Foster, and other cars, who were battling for second going into the last lap of the race.

Koykka was looking good to leave Lime Rock with a win and a podium, compared to VIR in April, where a race one victory was coupled with a DNF in the second race after contact while fighting for the lead. But the young Fin will have to settle for ninth place points after the last lap incident.

Garett Grist, Roberto Lorena, Mike Scanlan, Koykka and Foster completed the ten ten.

The F1600 Formula F Championship Series continues at New Jersey Motorsports Park, June 29 – July 1, with rounds five and six of the 2012 campaign.

Race Results:

source: Monty Mathisen, mathisenmedia.com, photo: Valet