Photo Credit: RTD Media | Formula Race Promotions

Formula Race Promotions (FRP) kicked off their race weekend at the fast Pittsburgh International Race Complex on Friday as all classes took to the track for practice sessions. 

Sessions were moved up throughout the day in order to avoid rain hitting the track in the afternoon. In total, all but one F1600 session got in before the rain began.

F1600

Practice 1 – Overall

1. Chris Horan – 1:48.907
2. Wesley Gundler – 1:49.286
3. David Adorno – 1:49.545
4. Dillon Defonce – 1:49.586
5. David H. Livingston Jr. – 1:49.860

Practice 1 – Masters

1. David Adorno – 1:49.545
2. David H. Livingston Jr. – 1:49.860
3. Scott Rubenzer – 1:50.531
4. John Thompson – 1:50.676
5. Bob Reid – 1:51.024

Practice 2 – Overall

1. Dillon Defonce – 1:53.915
2. Cooper Travis – 1:54.463
3. Wesley Gundler – 1:54.610
4. Charles Anti – 1:54.822
5. Karsten Defonce – 1:54.976

Practice 2 – Masters

1. David H. Livingston Jr. – 1:57.402
2. Bob Reid – 1:57.602
3. David Adorno – 1:59.731
4. John Thompson – 2:11.520
5. Michael Scanlon – 2:25.438

In the first F1600 practice session, Chris Horan set the pace with a 1:48.679. Horan is coming off of two consecutive sixth place finishes at Mid-Ohio and cleared the field by a commanding half second. F1600 Masters driver David Adorno went third quickest overall in the session with a 1:49.545 to lead his class. Dillon Defonce and Wesley Gundler, fourth and fifth in the overall championship standings, both ran in the top five as well. 

Gundler is racing at Pitt Race for the first time, and is coming off of his first podium of the season at Mid-Ohio.

“It was a really fun layout,” said Gundler. “There’s a lot of chicanes, back to back, and it’s the first time I’ve done something like that so I’m really enjoying it so far.”

The top five was rounded out by David M. Livingston Jr., who set the second fastest time in F1600 Masters at a 1:49.860. He also set the fastest time in F1600 Masters in the second session.

The second session saw slower times due to a soaked track as teams pulled umbrellas over their cars minutes before the green flag dropped. Dillon Defonce continued his strong day in practice with a 1:53.915 which set the fastest time of the session before conditions worsened. 

F2000 

Practice 1

1. Brandon Dixon – 1:41.037
2. Carter Sheets – 1:44.343
3. Glenn Cordova – 1:45.303
4. Robert Wright – 1:45.717
5. Dave Weitzenhof – 1:46.539

Practice 2

1. Brandon Dixon – 1:41.893
2. Carter Sheets – 1:44.450
3. Robert Wright – 1:45.826
4. Anthony DiCesaro – 1:47.243
5. Glenn Cordova – 1:49.061

In F2000, Brandon Dixon led the way in both sessions with a lead of over two seconds over the field. Dixon consistently ran sub-1:42 lap times throughout the day, setting the winner of both races at Road Atlanta confidently in the lead of practice. Carter Sheets finished right behind Dixon in the second race at Road Atlanta and continued to run near the front of the field setting a 1:44.343 in the opening session as his day’s best time. 

Championship leader Robert Wright found himself in the top five of both sessions with a 1:45.717 marking his fastest time of the day. In his first race of the season, Pittsburgh native Anthony DiCesaro appeared in the top five of the second session at his hometown track.

Atlantic

Practice 1 – 016

1. John Mcaleer – 1:35.670

Practice 1 – Open

1. Brandon Schwarz – 1:39.054
2. Tim Pierce – 1:40.520
3. Paulie Gatto – 1:40.623
4. Charles Livingston – 1:42.962
5. Steve Hamilton – 1:45.749

Practice 1 – Juniors

1. Justin Di Lucia – 1:44.418

Practice 2 – 016

1. John Mcaleer – 1:34.533

Practice 2 – Open

1. Brandon Schwarz – 1:38.451
2. Bob Corliss – 1:39.103
3. Tim Pierce – 1:40.119
4. Paulie Gatto – 1:40.378
5. Charles Livingston – 1:41.419

Practice 2 – JRs

1. Justin di Lucia – 1:43.390

Championship leader Brandon Schwarz ran fastest in both open class sessions in Atlantic Championship practice as he drove his Ligier JS F3 to a best time of 1:38.451 as the cars got their second session in right before rain hit the track in the afternoon. Paulie Gatto and Charles Livingston, chasing after Schwarz in the standings, both also landed in the top five. The second-fastest time in the session went to Bob Corliss, who put down a 1:39.103 as the only driver within a second of Schwarz.

John Mcaleer ran the fastest overall time as the lone competitor in the 016 class in both sessions, with his best time of the day being a 1:34.533. Justin di Lucia, currently second in the Atlantic Juniors class standings, set a 1:43.390 as the best time as the lone competitor in the class.

“It’s just about getting more experienced and developing as a driver,” said di Lucia. “I just really appreciate FRP allowing me to run this series and everything they’ve done for me.”

CCS

Practice

1. Mike Lawrence – 2:05.742
2. Mitchell Ferguson – 2:06.619
3. Dean Curtis – 2:07.254
4. Jeff Filipkowski – 2:07.992
5. Samuel Ryan – 2:08.247

In the lone Formula Vee practice session for the Challenge Cup Series, championship leader Mike Lawrence ran fastest by almost nine tenths over Mitchell Ferguson. Samuel Ryan, second in the points standings, managed to work his way into the top five as well.

.You can find details about FRP events on the FRP website at racefrp.com and on social media throughout the event weekend.