The 2008 version of the Sebring Winter Nationals was held Jan. 6, 2008 on the Sebring Long Course (used by the Sebring 12 Hour event), with temperatures in the low 70's with light puffy clouds drifting across the sky.
The F500's were in a race group that included, DSR, FF and FV. As you would expect DSR's filled the first 6 places on the grid. The some intermixed DSR & FF's down to the F500 Pole Sitter Bob Berman in 15th with a 2:19.732 compared to the Pole Sitting DSR with a 2:01.551. The rest of the F500 field was Jim Elder in 16th, Jack Walbran in 25th, Chuck McAbee in 26th and Chris Hite in 28th. The race was flagged off as the last race before the lunch brake and, as opposed to several years ago, the start was uneventful with the entire field making it past the starters stand and through Turn 1 (which is still as rough as ever). On Lap 2 Jim Elder reported he spun at the Safety Pin and had to wait for a number of cars to pass before rejoining the race, by which time he had lost all contact with Bob Berman. Meanwhile further back in the field the other 3 F500's were having a real race....with multiple passes for position on a number of laps. By the time the Checker flew the finish order was Bob Berman, Jim Elder, Chris Hite, Jack Walbran and yours truly bring up the 5th position after a momentary loss of concentration caused by an overtaking FF caused me to miss a braking point and go agricultural on the penultimate lap giving, Chris and Jack separation that I could not regain. All in all .... a successful start to the F500 season, as no cars broke and all will be able to compete at the Homestead Double National next weekend. Chuck McAbee SEDIV #16 ________________________________ FormulaCar Magazine - A Proud Supporter of Formula 500 The Official Publication of Junior Formula Car Racing Subscribe Today! www.formulacarmag.com or 519-624-2003 _________________________________ _______________________________________________ F500 mailing list - [email protected] To unsubscribe or change options please visit: http://f500.org/mailman/listinfo/f500 *** Please, DO NOT send unsubscribe requests to the mailing list! ***
