DENAIR, California — Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle development driver Bobby Runyan has started his inaugural car racing campaign off in perfect fashion, winning the opening two Formula Ford races in the San Francisco Region SCCA. Indicating why many are already keeping an eye on the 16 year-old Californian. Runyan scored a dominant victory at Thunderhill Raceway on March 15th, followed by a superb come from behind victory on March 29th at Infineon Raceway.
"How rare is it for a young race driver to win his first two car races back-to-back? Simply amazing!"— Ron Sutton
As part of the San Francisco Region SCCA “Gathering of Champions” Double National/Regional event, Runyan made his car racing debut behind the wheel of a Porter Racing/Raging Bull Motorsports Swift DB6 Formula Ford. Despite having only first driven the car two weeks prior via private testing, the Denair, Calif., resident immediately was up to speed. Runyan solidified his position as the driver to beat in qualifying, turning a fast lap of 1:51.644, which not only gave him the pole position for the Sunday afternoon Regional race, but also would have placed the former karting standout P1 on the grid in the National race.
When the race action got underway, Runyan quickly established a multi-car advantage on his closest pursuer. Running fast consistent laps throughout the 16-lap affair, the talented young driver never came under any challenge of note. Runyan, leading from the green flag onwards, captured the win in his first-ever SCCA Club Racing Formula Ford race, setting the fastest lap (1:51.938) in the process.
“I think Bobby did a great job this weekend,” stated Team Owner Neil Porter. “He ran times which were very good for someone who has only been on the track two times and only driven the car twice. His qualifying times were good enough to take the pole for the National on Sunday. His next race at Infineon Raceway will be a good test of his racing skills and his ability to learn a new track.”
Two weeks later, Runyan was back behind the wheel of his Porter Racing/Raging Bull Motorsports entry as part of the “Season-Opener” Regional event. The talented young driver quickly came to grips with the undulating road course in Northern California during testing, posting times on pace with the pole position mark from last year. Unfortunately come qualifying, the team just missed the ideal setup, resulting in a ‘loose’ car. Despite the condition and a spin due to an incident with a Formula Vee, the Californian managed to post the third fastest lap in the session.
Runyan, returning to the cockpit of his Swift DB6 after a short break, did not get the start he desired when the green flag waved for the Sunday afternoon race. Missing a shift, he was shuffled back to fifth place before turn one. The teenager however immediately refocused, regaining third place by the midway point of the opening lap. Continuing his charge to the front of the field, Runyan found a way past his teammate, taking over second place before the end of lap.
The Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle driver, with the leader in sight and his teammate right behind, continued to attack the 2.52-mile road course, soon getting within striking distance for the lead. Utilizing a daring out-braking maneuver in turn 11, Runyan took over the P1 spot. While lapped traffic allowed his Porter Racing teammate to repeatedly challenge for the win, Runyan held off the challenges, turning the fastest lap of the race (1:40.706) en route to a six-second win. With the victory, Runyan remains undefeated in his young car racing career.
“Bobby Runyan has amazing talent,” commented Ron Sutton. “How rare is it for a young race driver to win his first two car races back-to-back? Simply amazing!”
Runyan continues his 2009 Formula Ford race season on April 26th, at the famed Laguna Seca">Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca outside of Monterey, Calif.
For direct contact, please email Bobby Runyan at bobbyboy@fire2wire.com
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About Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle:
Ron Sutton's Winner's Circle is an established talent scout and development program, providing long term, comprehensive racing and career development for up and coming drivers focused on NASCAR careers. RSWC drivers are raced, coached, groomed, trained and molded, within a professional racing environment, into what top pro teams look for when hiring drivers. Drivers involved in the program race in a variety of cars, including USAC Junior Ford Focus Midgets, USAC Ford Focus Midgets, USAC Sprint cars, Skip Barber Race Series, SCCA Club Racing Formula Ford and F2000, NASCAR Grand American Modifieds, NASCAR Late Models and NASCAR Grand National cars.
