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A&S
Racing News
Victorious debut in Formula Ford
Jan. 28, 2007: Ethan Shippert earned the
pole, fastest lap, and race win in his first ever start in a Formula Ford at an
SCCA national event at California International Speedway in Fontana, CA this
weekend. This triumph came despite a litany of problems with the new car.
Purchased in the summer of 2006 Ethan then
spent the next 8 months totally rebuilding the car, including several custom
made parts. One of these parts nearly ended the weekend before it began
when the release bearing for the clutch somehow managed to wedge itself into the
clutch fingers. After a lengthy repair Ethan was able to shake the car
down at an open test day at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA before heading to
Fontana.
After a successful shakedown Ethan with the
help of friend Bob Gett arrived at Fontana only to discover another problem with
the clutch, this time it was the clutch bleeder valve. It had broken off
causing another lengthy repair. The car was also suffering with various
electrical problems, most notably the lack of a working tachometer, which made
it difficult to get the gearing right for Fontana's long curving banked front
straight. Despite those problems Ethan was able to win the pole on
Saturday by nearly two tenths of a second.
Race day dawned cold and damp, however the
rain held off. Ethan's class was paired up with the much slower Spec Racer
Ford class, and was forced to have a split start behind the SRF's. Which
forced Ethan to fight for the lead while diving in and out of a succession of
slower cars. Luckily those slower cars were instrumental in giving Ethan
the win by holding up second place in a tight twisty part of the course and then
forcing a spin by Ethan's competition. Ethan wasn't completely in the
clear as he started running into fuel problems during the last two laps due to
Fontana's banking forcing the fuel away from the pickup in the tank. There
was just enough fuel to allow him to hold onto the lead and take the checkered
flag for his first win in a Formula Ford.
To read Ethan's point of view check out In
The Driver's Seat.
Ethan Shippert Named Driver for A&S
Racing's Inaugural Effort
Dec. 1, 2006: Newly formed
A&S Racing announced that Ethan Shippert will drive in the SCCA's Northern Pacific
division in a VanDieman RF97 in the Formula Ford class with an eye to
competing in the Runoffs at Heartland Park Topeka next October. He will
also compete for A&S Racing in either the Pacific F2000 or the East Coast F2000
Championship Series, provided necessary sponsorship
will be found.
Eric Aasen and sponsorship
consultant Jan Slomiany will attend the Consumer Electronics Show in
Las Vegas, NV Jan. 8-11, 2007 to seek sponsorship for the upcoming
season. A&S Racing has put together an attractive, cost-effective
proposal for potential sponsors that includes prominent display of sponsor's
name and corporate logo/colors on the racecar, as well as providing
opportunities for showcasing the car at corporate sales events, trade shows, and
conventions.
Sponsorship for Ethan's Formula
Ford effort has already been secured through the Runoffs. He has high
hopes of contending for the Northern Pacific Divisional crown as well
as a good finish at the 43rd SCCA National Championship Runoffs October 8-14,
2007.
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