Three Classes of Mazda Powered Racers Battled it Out at Thunderhill Raceway Park
Bigham, Weaver, and Avansino took back-to-back class wins
Willows, CA
April 22nd, 2015
Three classes of Mazda powered open wheel racers visited Thunderhill Raceway Park this past weekend for races three and four of the Formula Car Challenge presented by Goodyear championship.
The weather was in the mid 80s all weekend, and many of the drivers took advantage of the extra Friday test day in preparation for their second race weekend of 2015.
Saturday Pole Positions
- Pro FM – Jaden Conwright
- FS2.0 – Michael Avansino
- FM – Tazio Ottis
At the start overall pole sitter Jaden Conwright lost the lead to series rookie Cabot Bigham. Conwright tried to catch up and pass Bigham, and in the process went off track in Turn 9 putting him to the back of the field. Soon after, a full course yellow came out when Robin Shute pulled over for a mechanical issue. The yellow flag allowed Conwright to catch up with the lead pack. At the checkered flag, Bigham was still out front, and secured his first FCC Pro FM win. Multiple season FM Champion Bill Weaver was able to get past pole-sitter Tazio Ottis for the win in FM, and Michael Avansino lead flag-to-flag in the FS2.0 class.
Saturday Pro FM Podium
- 1st – Cabot Bigham
- 2nd – Hunter Pickett
- 3rd – Jaden Conwright
Saturday FormulaSPEED2.0 Podium
- 1st – Michael Avansino
- 2nd – Frank Cusack
- 3rd – Tao Takaoka
Saturday Formula Mazda Podium
- 1st – Bill Weaver
- 2nd – Tazio Ottis
- 3rd – Bruce Carpenter
Pole positions on Sunday were secured by Bigham, Avansino, and Weaver. For much of the race the drivers ran in qualifying order, until Hunter Pickett spun in Turn 6. Pickett was able to get back under way quickly, and secure the third step of the Pro FM podium by the end of the race. In Formula Mazda, pole sitter Weaver and Tazio Ottis battled hard all race. In the end Weaver secured the win in FM. In FS2.0 Avansino lead from flag-to-flag, but Cusack and Takaoka battled for the second step right until the very last lap when Takaoka was able to take advantage of traffic and take the position.
Sunday Pole Positions
- Pro FM – Cabot Bigham
- FS2.0 – Michael Avansino
- FM – Bill Weaver
Sunday Pro FM Podium
- 1st – Cabot Bigham
- 2nd – Jaden Conwright
- 3rd – Hunter Pickett
Sunday FormulaSPEED2.0 Podium
- 1st – Michael Avansino
- 2nd – Tao Takaoka
- 3rd – Frank Cusack
Sunday Formula Mazda Podium
- 1st – Bill Weaver
- 2nd – Tazio Ottis
- 3rd – Stew Tabak
Next up for the Formula Car Challenge presented by Goodyear is a double header at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on June 5th-7th.
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