Fantastic Fun Ford Weekend at Palm Beach International Raceway on Saturday

Fantastic Fun Ford Weekend at Palm Beach International Raceway on Saturday

JUPITER, FL – September 17, 2011 – Palm Beach International Raceway carried the Blue Oval flag for the inaugural Fun Ford Weekend at the South Florida track. Ford makes and models of all eras were represented on the drag strip, car show and autocross. The inaugural Fun Ford Weekend presented by Roush Yates and JE Pistons brought many Ford fans to PBIR on Saturday afternoon.

Once spectators entered the gates at PBIR, they were greeted by a car show of more than 100 cars. Classics, customs, modern and modified Fords filled the southern portion of PBIR’s road course. Corralled by the SouthFlordiaStangs.net group, judges awarded more than 30 awards to the car show participants. One of the most popular Fords of the day was the 1965 Mustang Fastback owned by Shannon Kelleher, who walked away with the Mustang 64-70, Best of Show and People’s Choice car show awards.

Those looking to try their hand and the ride and handling portion of Fun Ford Weekend participated in the autocross held on the north end of PBIR’s road course. The solo-timed autocross was a favorite of muscle car enthusiasts that wanted to test everything from handling and suspension to tire grip. Frank Perdomo posted the quickest time on the road course with a 73.171-second loop.

“We were very impressed with the racer, car show and spectator turnout for Fun Ford Weekend at PBIR on Saturday,” said Jason Rittenberry, President and CEO of Palm Beach International Raceway. “As another first-time event at PBIR, we welcomed many new fans and racers to the track. We’re looking forward to expanding our Fun Ford Weekend event here in South Florida.”

The highlight of the Fun Ford Weekend celebration at PBIR was the exhibition runs by Animal Jim Feurer in his 1979 Mammoth Mercury and David Douthit, driver of the Ford Focus Jet Car. The packed grandstand had fans on their feet cheering for one of the pioneers of Pro Modified drag racing – Animal Jim Feurer. In an impressive exhibition, David Douthit in his Ford Focus “Focus This” Jet Car powered his way down the drag strip, with a weekend best time of 9.332-second pass at 176.12 miles per hour.

On track activity continues next week at Palm Beach International Raceway. On Sunday, September 18, the SCCA Solo Autocross takes to PBIR’s road course. Then on Tuesday, PBIR hosts the motorless Two Wheel Tuesdays were bicyclers, rollerbladers and runners take to the two-mile road course. Wednesday and Friday nights feature the weekly Quarter-Mile Test and Tune on the drag strip. Full events schedules are available at www.racepbir.com.

FUN FORD WEEKEND RACING RESULTS
Quick Ford (Electronic) – Frank Anbrosino (Palm Bay, FL) 12.062 at 110.22 def Mike Howard (1991 Mustang, Stuart, FL) 10.624 at 124.52

Fast Ford (Non-Electronic) – David Green (1994 Cobra, Hollywood, FL) 11.491 at 110.72 def James Barlow (1967 Cougar, Port St. Lucie, FL) 10.833 at 122.77

True Street (DOT) – Peter Del Pino (2007 Mustang, Miami Lakes, FL) 11.710 at 111.56 def Joe Matyuf (2006 Mustang, Sunrise, FL) 12.222 at 112.62

Quick 16 Ford – Tony Lobaldo, (2005 Mustang, Pembroke Pines, FL), 5.149 at 135.77 def no show. Opponent broke in semi-final round.

Quick 16 Doorcar – Frank Corvino Jr., (1967 GTO, Delray Beach, FL) 5.574 at 126.74 def Johnny Casquilla (1988 Camaro, Lake Worth, FL) 5.535 at 123.10

Quick 16 Dragster – Bruce Liberman (2011 Miller, West Palm Beach, FL) 7.239 at 185.05 def Keith Russell (2001 Undercover, Jupiter, FL) 7.746 at 169.64

Mustang Madness – Ronnie Wilson (2000 Ford, Tamarac, FL) 8.097 at 169.17 def Haskell Mackowski (1989 Ford, Miami, FL) foul (7.929 at 177.58)

Tough Trucks – Jack Stonehill (2003 Harley Davison F-150, West Palm Beach, FL) 13.343 at 100.25 def Matt Hermes (2004 Ford Lightning, Lantana, FL) 10.394 at 130.35

Autocross – Winner: Frank Perdomo – 73.171s, Runner Up – Mitch Sirlin 75.574s

FUN FORD WEEKEND CAR SHOW AWARDS
Mustang 64-70 – Shannon Kelleher
Mustang 79-93 – Scott Root
Mustang 94-98 – Bill Gibson
Mustang 99-04 – Robert Golden
Mustang 05-Current – Kevin Garrow
SVT & Cobra Mustang – John Rodriguez
SVT – Paul Rogers
Roush Mustang – Danny Sullivan
Saleen Mustang – Chris Garrett
Steeda Mustang – James Muir
Shelby & BOSS – Dennis Riondow
Falcon, Fairlane, Maverick – Frank Perdomo
Thunderbird – John Knopf
Ford Full Size Cars – All Years – Harry Horton
Ford Lightning – Mark Abiel
Pre-49 Street Rods & Custom – John Sullivan
Ford Full size – Lester Taylor
Race Car & Pro Street – John Dunham
Ford Compact – All Years – Kristen Rogers
Lincoln – Joe Morse
Mercury – Jack Krouskroup

ADDITIONAL CAR SHOW AWARDS

Best of Show –Shannon Kelleher – 1965 Mustang Fastback
Track Choice – Rich Hoffman – 1967 Sunbeam Tiger
Best Wheels – Dana and Annette Bowers – 1966 Mustang Fastback
Cool Factor – Tim Simmons – 1955 Ford Custom Line
People’s Choice – Shannon Kelleher – 1965 Mustang Fastback
Best Engine – Steve Procko – 1997 Mustang Cobra
Best Paint/Body – Wayne Rhodes – 2003 Mustang Cobra

About Fun Ford Weekend
The family-oriented Fun Ford Weekend series is run by each of the tracks that host the events. Each track creates its own event schedule, racing structure, car show, and if adequate space, will also have autocross competition. The goal of the series is to get as many automotive enthusiasts that have a passion for the Ford brand to participate, spectate, and enjoy the events. For more information on Fun Ford Weekend, visit www.funfordweekend.com.

About Palm Beach International Raceway
Palm Beach International Raceway is a state-of-the-art venue and one of the most popular raceways in the country for racers and spectators alike. As a leader in its operating form and function, PBIR seeks to provide its drivers with a higher level of challenge, excellence and opportunity. PBIR boasts three completely refurbished, exceptionally designed tracks, including a high-performance road course, an all-concrete drag strip and a 7/10’s mile karting track and new karting center. The technologically superior two-mile road course features some of the fastest and most challenging corners and straight-aways offered by any track in North America. PBIR is sanctioned by the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) and is pending certification by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the governing body for many major racing events. For more information on PBIR, please visit the venue’s website at www.RacePBIR.com.

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