The Formula 5000 Drivers Association is pleased to announce the results of its race event to close the 2019 season at Watkins Glen in conjunction with the SVRA U.S. Vintage Grand Prix on September 8, 2019.
Finishing first in F5000 Class A (pre-1972 cars) was Paul Dudiak in a 1969 McKee Mk12. Dudiak raced flawlessly during the weekend with increasing speed each session. Second in Class A was Mike Knittel in a 1970 Chinook. Knittel had to sort out a few mechanical problems prior to the race and was the beneficiary of a dying battery on Rasim Tugberk’s car, who was running in second place. Tugberk finished third in class in a 1971 Leda LT25. The car showed great promise during the weekend after a multi-year hiatus from racing.
Finishing first in F5000 Class B (1972-1976 cars) and first overall in the group was Rick Parsons in the ex-Brian Redman 1976 Lola T332c. Parsons led the race from the start and outpaced the group with laps of 1 minute, 59 seconds which was about 4 second faster than the nearest F5000 competitor.
Finishing second was Jim Stengel in the black 1973 McRae GM1. Stengel ran a consistent and solid race both a Saturday and Sunday. Third in Class B was Tom Simpson who was driving a 1972 McKee Mk18. Simpson had a successful racing weekend despite having another race car run over and damage his front wheel.
The Watkins Glen SVRA event also was the final round of the 2019 F5000 Revival Race Championship Series. Paul Dudiak was crowned Champion in Class A. This is Dudiak’s first championship after a couple of close runs in prior years. Both driver and car ran flawless the entire year and the championship was well deserved.
Rick Parsons won the Championship in Class B. This is Parsons’ 3rdchampionship in the last four years. With consistent participation in the series throughout the year, good car reliability and a hot shoe, Parsons has won a well-deserved championship title for 2019. Final results for the 2019 championship and the finishing order in class for all race drivers are shown below.
The U.S. Formula 5000 Drivers Association is a membership organization established to promote the restoration, presentation, registration and racing of historic Formula 5000 race cars. For more information visit www.F5000Registry.com
