The Formula 5000 Drivers Association opened its 2017 racing season at the SVRA Open Wheel World Challenge at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on June 11. The overall win and victory in Class B, for 1972-1976 cars, went to Rick Parsons in his ex-Brian Redman 1976 Lola T332C-Chevrolet, while 2nd overall and first in Class A, for pre-1972 cars, went to Mark Harmer and his high-winged, ex-David Hobbs 1969 Surtees TS5-Chevrolet. Parsons had struggled with mechanical problems throughout the weekend, but was able to get it all together in time for Sunday’s feature race.
Finishing 2nd in Class A was Seb Coppola in his 1970 Lola T192-Chevrolet. Coppola enjoyed a superb start, gaining three positions away from the green and into Turn One. Johnnie Crean claimed 3rd in class with his ex-Davey Jordan 1969 Gurney Eagle Mark 5-Chevy.
Second place in Class B went to Philip Lewis, an Australian living in Denmark, in his 1972 Matich A50-Chevrolet, while 3rd place went to Jim Stengel in his 1973 McRae GM1-Chevrolet.
The U.S. Formula 5000 Drivers Association, a membership organization established to promote the restoration, presentation, registration and racing of historic Formula 5000 racecars, now heads to Road America in July for the second round of its season. For complete information please visit www.F5000Registry.com
