RACE: National Runoffs: Zetec teams race report

Zetec Championship Teams Contest SCCA National Championship Runoffs

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. (September 30, 2004) - Every year for the past 40 years, the Sports Car Club of America has held its SCCA National Championship Runoffs(r) Presented by Kohler. As in years past, the 2004 edition features participants from the Formula Ford Zetec Championship, part of the Cooper Tires Championship Series. Taking part in this year's event is Zetec Champions Cape Motorsports and Master's Cup Runner-Up St. Clair Motorsports.

Following an extensive SCCA Club Racing program throughout the year, both Cape and St. Clair traveled to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for the SCCA Runoffs. Considered the Olympics of Motorsports, the SCCA Runoffs features the best amateur drivers from across North America vying for a National Championship in 24 different race classes.

Racing in the Formula Ford class, Cape Motorsports' driver Dennis Hoinig got has high as seventh, before retiring due to contact. In the Formula Continental class, the amateur equivalent to the ACC in the Zetec Championship, St. Clair Motorsports' driver Mark Defer finished third for his first-ever podium finish at the SCCA Runoffs, while teammate Bill Jordan finished was forced to retire on lap 10 due to contact. In addition to Defer and Jordan, St. Clair Motorsports ran Tony Sleath in the Sports 2000 class, where he finished 13th.

Joining the Cape Motorsports and St. Clair Motorsports at the SCCA Runoffs were Zetec Championship Crew Chief of the Year John Walko and Cooper Series Technical Director Bill Hunter.

Co-owner of Andersen Walko Racing, Walko ran Michael Sirianni in the D Sports Racing class, finishing 24th, while Hunter finished 10th in the G Production class, after starting 25th.

With both the professional and amateur racing season now over, the Cooper Series drivers and teams will take a quick break before commencing preparations for the upcoming 2005 season.

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