RiceRace just completed a 12-day visit to Virginia International Raceway scoring two podiums with their drivers Trevor Russell and Simon Sikes. Both drivers raced in the rain as the remnants of Hurricane Ian kept the track in various stages of wet. Trevor raced the RiceRace 32 Mygale on Friday in fairly steady rain. After only driving the car for a total of 6 dry sessions, 17-year-old Trevor scored a fine 2nd against a tough field of veteran Formula F competitors. The silver medal was just the beginning, as Trevor later drove his own car and won gold in Formula X and silver in Formula Continental. After dominating most of the testing and qualifying sessions, Simon Sikes lead most of the Formula Continental race as his RiceRace 13 Citation had the perfect setup for the drying race track. Unfortunately for Simon and the team, the rain picked up and he fell to 3rd at the end. In 5 Runoff races, Simon now has two golds, two silvers, and the 2022 bronze.
"It was a tough way to end the week. We figured we were in great shape in the dry, and still a good shot in the wet" reported team engineer and owner Greg Rice." We made all the right decisions, and Simon drove the wheels off the car. It just did not go our way. It was also a pleasure to work with Trevor and his family. Congratulations on his haul of gold and silver medals. It was very impressive!"
The RiceRace team finishes their season at Pittsburgh International Race Complex on October 14-16 with the F1600 championship finale. Thomas Schrage and Gordon Scully will be joined by Mateo Naranjo who podiumed in his only other event at Sebring in January. Although Thomas Schrage has dominated the F1600 series, several incidents caused by other competitors leaves him with a narrow points lead with the last 3 races to go at PIRC. Good luck Thomas, Gordon and Mateo.
As previously announced, RiceRace will continue to operate in 2023 as a smaller operation. The two winning cars will be removed from team use and will be sold individually, or as a pair, to racers looking to compete seriously in 2023. The cars will be available with a full technical support program at F1600 events and select SCCA events. RiceRace will keep their third Mygale F1600 in house, and bring a new Mygale into operation. “It is my hope that this revised plan will see 4 F1600 Mygales on track in 2023, while down-sizing the RiceRace operational program” reports Greg Rice. “At the same time, it allows me to reduce our presence, and move toward retirement. Best of all, it can increase the F1600 car count on the East coast, rather than depleting it.”
Potential team drivers, or buyers of the Mygale F1600 cars, can contact Greg Rice at RiceRacePrep@gmail.com. The RiceRace team will have 2 Mygales for use in F1600 and SCCA competition in 2023. The team will also have the Citation FC car available for use in 2023, starting with Florida SCCA events in January.
