Vincec takes thrilling win in final Skip Barber race

It was the final race weekend for the Skip Barber Southern Region series and Sunoco Team Ultra 94 driver Mike Vincec would close the series in style. Following up his win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Mike would come out big at Sebring and put his car on pole for the race on Saturday and in what can only be described as a thrilling, hard-fought race, he would take the win on Sunday.

Saturday started well for the sixteen year old Vincec as he would take pole for the Championship class with a time of 1:14.494 at 84.571 mph setting the record time for the new track layout. "The car was quick and the setup ideal for this track" Vincec commented after qualifying. "We hope to have a good run in the race this afternoon."

The race however, did not unfold as planned. Drivers draw a new car for each practice or race session and Mike would struggle with his choice for the race. He would fall back at the start and contact on the final lap would send him off course dropping him to P9. "We will have some work to do starting from the fifth row on Sunday" Mike said. "But we'll do what we can to get to the front."

Sunday would prove to be a good day as Mike drew the car in which he qualified. From the drop of the green he was on a charge picking up three positions on the first lap. From there he picked his way through and by lap eight he was sitting P3. From there the lead pack of four put on a very entertaining race. On lap thirteen Mike moved into the lead but would have a fight on his hands. Over the next few laps the lead changed a number of times but Mike would manage to wrestle it back. Twice he did so by finding just enough space as they went three-wide into the turns. First there was the drag race down the front straight to turn one. You could barely see any space between the three cars and Mike took the tighter inside line and came out on top. He would lose the lead on the next lap but come back a lap later. Three wide again in the turn six-seven complex, Mike used all of the curbing and then some, to launch himself back into the top spot.

The lead group of four waged a battle to the end and on the penultimate lap, Mike sat P2. Side by side going up to the hairpin that leads onto the start finish straight, Mike just put the power down out of the turn to make it another drag race - this time to the checkers. Mike would cross the line P1 with a .034 second margin of victory.

"That was a lot of fun!" exclaimed Mike. "It is really great to have battled for the win. That's what racing is all about. Going for broke and doing everything you need to do to come out on top."

With the victory, Mike would confirm his position as second overall in the regional championship standings.

Later that evening, the series held its award banquet for the Southern Region competitors. In addition to his award for placing second overall in the series, Mike was also selected as the region's top rookie.

"It is quite something to end the season with a win then come away with second in the championship and the top rookie prize for Sunoco Team Ultra 94" noted Mike. "I have to thank Ron Fellows, Sunoco and ASN Canada for all their support and encouragement. I am happy to have been a part of the Sunoco Team Ultra 94 program and am glad I could bring home a good result."

Mike Continued, "I would also like to thank everyone at Skip Barber for all their hard work and support. This is a great program and I learned quite a lot about race craft that will help me in the future."