Formula Enterprises - Rettich Dominates SCCA Pro Racing Season Opener At VIR

ALTON, May 16, 2011: After coming up just short of winning the 2010 SCCA Pro Racing Formula Enterprises championship last year, Scott Rettich, of Camden, Ohio, got his 2011 championship aspirations off to the best possible start with a sweep of Sunday’s season-opening doubleheader at Virginia International Raceway.

Driving the No. 17 PDI Communications Systems Formula Enterprises machine, Rettich started both races from the pole position, ran the fastest lap in each race, and led every lap in both races to notch a pair of victories.

Rettich bested fellow Buckeye stater Patrick Gallagher, of Thornville, Ohio, who finished second in both races in his No. 00 Jay Motorsports/CTL Engineering Formula Enterprises entry. Gallagher actually took the lead from Rettich momentarily in Race #1, but Rettich was able to take the spot back prior to the end of Lap 1.

“I was certainly pushing hard,” said Rettich following the first race. “But, my team, Alliance Autosport, gave me a great car. With the support of my parents, Hoosier, Redline, PDI Communications, we just had the package today to win this race. I knew that I should be the car to beat so I had a conservative start. When he [Patrick Gallagher] got around me, I was confident I could pass him back at some point. I took the lead back on the first lap and never really looked back. I hit my marks and kept pushing hard.”

With the double victory, Rettich leads Gallagher in the Pro Formula Enterprises championship standings by 50 points, 294-244, heading into Rounds 3 and 4 at Mosport International Raceway at Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada next weekend.

“It was a great weekend, picking up both wins,” said Rettich after the second race. “The car was great. Unfortunately, I had no shift lights. It cost me a little bit there early. But, once I got settled in, I was able to put my head down.”

The same drivers made up the same positions in the top five of both races. Jason Wolfe, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, finished third in both aboard the No. 23 Jay Motorsports Formula Enterprises car, while Jim Libecco, of Solon, Ohio, was fourth in both in the No. 98 Akron Skin Center Formula Enterprises machine. Matt Schneider, of Lexington, Ky., took a pair of fifths in the No. 31 Jay Motorsports Formula Enterprises entry.