Mazda scores numerous victories over two days in the third round of the SCCA Hoosier Racing Tire Super Tour
There were plenty of great SCCA moments on Saturday, March 3, at NOLA Motorsports Park during the Hoosier Racing Tire Super Tour, but a special one came from Danny Steyn. While he had a less than optimal Super Touring Lite outing earlier in the day due to unforeseen mechanical issues, the Florida driver bounced back strong to claim the Spec Miata victory in his No. 39 Adept Studios/Rossini Engines/OPM Autosports/G-LOC Brakes Mazda Miata.
“Exactly a week ago, I turned 60 years old,” Steyn pointed out. “I’ve had this goal for a long time that I wanted to win a U.S. Majors or Hoosier Super Tour Spec Miata race at the age of 60. And one week into 60, I pulled it off. So, I’m really thrilled I could make this happen.” The next day he avenged his STL loss by taking the win in his Miata, but Michael Carter claimed the SM victory.
Mark Weber came from St. Louis and took home a pair of F Production wins in his Miata, holding off fellow Miata drivers Weber Manning (Saturday) and Kyle Baker (Sunday). “I had a great start; I couldn’t have drawn it up any better,” said Weber after his second victory of the weekend. “I got an early lead and had somebody to race with. I knew I could hold them off. It was a perfect day.”
In the same group, Larry Svaton of Alvin, Texas, drove a new-to-him Miata to victory on both days. “I just bought the car,” said Svaton. “I’d never even driven the car until [this weekend]. I’ve got a Caterham and it handles just as good as the Caterham in the corners – I was quite surprised. And it steers just as light as my Fiats I ran in H Production. I like the Mazda.”
Paul Schneider and Liam Snyder renewed their Formula Enterprises battle at NOLA. During a fierce battle on Saturday, Snyder ran wide and broke the front wing of his Mazda-powered Van Diemen FE car, handing the win to Schneider. Snyder came back on Sunday to take the win, edging Schneider by barely a second at the line.
Jeff Dernehl was the lone GT-3 entrant and used the event as test sessions as he took a pair of easy wins. Bryce Cornet doubled up in Formula Mazda, and Paul Ravaris and Larry Howard split the Formula Atlantic wins, both driving Pro Formula Mazda cars. Mazda power also reigned in Prototype 1, with Alastair McEwan winning on Saturday and Jacek Much taking the victory on Sunday.
With the party now over at NOLA, the Hoosier Super Tour looks ahead to a very busy April with events on the calendar for April 7-8 at Hallett Motor Racing Circuit in Jennings, Okla.; April 13-15 at VIRginia International Raceway in Alton, Va.; and the April 27-29 event out west at Buttonwillow Raceway Park in Buttonwillow, Calif. Follow all the action live at www.scca.com/live.
SCCA Hoosier Racing Tire Super Tour
NOLA Motorsports Park, March 3-4, 2018
Provisional March 3 Mazda winners
F Production: Mark Weber; St. Louis, Mo.; St. Louis Region; Mazda Miata
Formula Atlantic: Paul Ravaris; Aledo, Texas; Texas Region; Pro Formula Mazda
Formula Enterprise: Paul Schneider; Charlotte, N.C.; Central Carolinas Region; Formula Enterprises Mazda
Formula Mazda: Bryce Cornet; Norman, Okla.; Oklahoma Region; Formula Mazda
GT-3: Jeff Dernehl; Roswell, Ga.; Atlanta Region; Mazda RX-7
GT-Lite: Larry Svaton; Alvin, Texas; Houston Region; Mazda MX-5 Miata
Prototype 1: Alastair McEwan; Cary, N.C.; North Carolina Region; Elan DP-02
Spec Miata: Danny Steyn; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Atlanta Region; Mazda Miata VVTR
Provisional March 4 Mazda winners
F Production: Mark Weber; St. Louis, Mo.; St. Louis Region; Mazda Miata
Formula Atlantic: Larry Howard; Kansas City, Mo.; Kansas City Region; Pro Formula Mazda
Formula Enterprise: Liam Snyder; Southlake, Texas; Texas Region; Formula Enterprises Mazda
Formula Mazda: Bryce Cornet; Norman, Okla.; Oklahoma Region; Formula Mazda
GT-3: Jeff Dernehl; Roswell, Ga.; Atlanta Region; Mazda RX-7
GT-Lite: Larry Svaton; Alvin, Texas; Houston Region; Mazda MX-5 Miata
Prototype 1: Jacek Mucha; Highland Beach, Fla.; Florida Region; JMS016CP Mazda
Spec Miata: Michael Carter; Savannah, Ga.; Buccaneer Region; Mazda Miata
Super Touring Lite: Danny Steyn; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Atlanta Region; Mazda MX-5