TOPEKA, Kan. (Oct. 15, 2006) – Stephen Oseth, of Leesburg, Va., captured his second Formula Vee National Championship Sunday, at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs Presented by Kansas—As Big As You Think, following the post-race technical disqualification of Bob Neumeister, of Pueblo, Colo. Michael Varacins, of Burlington, Wis., and Nelson Mason, of Niagra Falls, Ontario were awarded second and third respectively.
Neumeister started his No. 94 Hoosier/Red Line Vortech second to Oseth, but got the jump on the field into turn one. The former Runoffs runner-up battled early with previous Champions Oseth and Brad Stout, of St. Louis, before pulling out to an advantage of more than two seconds. Driving the No. 72 Hoosier/DBM Racing Vortech, Oseth and Stout’s No. 35 Goodyear/Noble/LRE/BRP Vortech battled for second until four-time Champion Stout’s car suffered a mechanical failure on lap 13.
Neumeister continued to extend his advantage throughout the race, finally finishing 4.129 seconds ahead of Oseth, averaging 75.362 mph over the course of the 18-lap, 45-mile contest. The crown would be handed over to Oseth later that day however, as Neumeister was unable to pass post-race technical inspection.
“We had a couple laps there when Bob and I were together,” Oseth said. “There were three of us when Brad was with us, but as we have seen all weekend, Brad’s car had a more difficult time. We got in front and just moved ahead a little farther, a little farther, and then Brad pulled off with some kind of a problem. At about the same time it seemed as if an exhaust gasket blew out on me. It still ran, but it did not give me anything extra. I stayed with Bob a little bit but with a gap.”
Varacins started fourth in his No. 65 Speed Sport AM5 and was in contention for the lead early before spinning back to eighth. He recovered to finish third on track, 19.186 seconds behind Neumesiter, but would be bumped to second following Neumeister’s penalty. Nelson Mason, of Niagara Falls, Ontario, moves up to third, followed by Stevan Davis, of Powder Springs, Ga., and Roger Siebenaler, of Williston, Vt.
Timothy Remmers, of New Hartford, Conn., earned the Sunoco Hard Charger award, advancing thirteen positions from 27th to 14th.
Now in its 43rd year, the SCCA National Championship Runoffs Presented by Kansas, As Big As You Think annually crowns the best amateur road racers in North America as Champions. More than 750 competitors have gathered this year to battle for 25 class titles, with nine races on Friday and eight Saturday and Sunday. This marks the first year that the Runoffs is held at Heartland Park Topeka.
Celebrating its 62nd anniversary, Sports Car Club of America is a 55,000 member organization that sanctions and promotes grassroots and professional motorsports events in a variety of disciplines, including road racing, Solo, road rally and rallycross.
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Link to story: http://www.scca.com/News/News.asp?Ref=701