A few weeks ago, the first ever SCCA Pro Formula Lites race took place in Connecticut. The new sport is very similar to Formula 3 but with smaller, lighter cars with four-cylinder engines. The thrill of open wheel racing is still there, but the race is more affordable for smaller, privateer teams. The race circuit has won attention from a lot of top level sponsors.
Shot over several days with high-end Red Digital Cinema equipment and production by Armed Bandit Media, the new film short documents the first appearance of the SCCA Pro Formula Lites cars and racers in a competition setting. The production also introduces several of the young and veteran racers that shared a common goal of being pioneers in the Formula Lites movement.
Making his debut with Florida-based BW Racing a successful one, American Nick Neri drove the Highway Systems/GridSport-backed Crawford FL-15 to Formula Lites’ first series victory. A celebrated go-kart champion with 300 wins and 26 championships to his credit, 19-year old Neri took advantage of an early race mistake by inaugural pole setter Vini Papareli to take the checkered flag. Brazilian Papareli recovered to get within 1.8-seconds of Neri in taking 2nd place, while China’s Jackie Ding came home in 3rd.
Designed and manufactured to the latest F3 FIA safety specs, the new FL-15 monocoque wraps a 2.4-liter, 16-valve Honda engine and a six-speed sequential gearbox featuring pneumatic paddle shifters. The high-tech approach to open-wheel racing has attracted support and technical partnerships with Pirelli, Honda/HRD, Bruce High Performance Transporters, PFC Brakes, Eibach Springs, Fikse Wheels and Impact Safety Race Products.
SCCA Pro Formula Lites will next gather on July 24-25th at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) in Alton, Virginia for two rounds of racing. Find out more about this new racing format at FormulaLites.com.
