Twelve Spec3 racers plus two HPDE drivers traveled to Carolina Motorsports Park for the penultimate race weekend in the NASA Southeast 2024 season, a new record for the largest field for the class in its second full season in the region. This event saw 2023 Mid-Atlantic regional champion Charles Ford visiting NASA Southeast for the first time as well as four Spec3 rookies participating in competition school at the event.
Friday was business as usual for most, with Spec3 racers in test and tune sessions or instructing, however, an air of excitement surrounded the Spec3 paddock as four rookies hurried from the track, to the classroom, and back to their cars repeatedly throughout the day hoping to head into the night in possession of provisional racing licenses.
Calling competition school a “stressful” day would be an understatement, but these four would-be racers were in good hands with the experienced Spec3 racers cooking them food and tending to their cars while they were busy. At the end of the day, Spec3 welcomed four new licensed racers: Chris Feldhaus of the Florida Region and Eric Ho, Jim Kronquist, and Chad Vanne of the Southeast Region. To cap off the day, the rookies were welcomed by a shower of champagne before they could change back into their street clothes and relax before an exciting weekend of racing. Eric Ho claims he washed his suit six times following this event.
Saturday qualifying saw Andy Schmidt take pole for race one. Charles Ford followed in second a tenth of a second behind, and Justin Hite and Bob Ross, another new Spec3 racer for 2024, filled out the second row.
Andy Schmidt jumped out to an early lead from the race one standing start as Spec3 barreled toward the Spec Miata field that took the green just ahead. As they caught the Spec Miata traffic, Ford was able to slip by Schmidt following the infamous Kink to take the lead. Ford then put his excellent multi-class racing skills on display to snake through traffic — passing 31 cars on way to his first NASA Southeast victory! Ford also ran the fastest lap of the lightning group with a 1:47.5, 1.5 seconds faster than anyone else.
VIDEO
Ride along with Charles Ford as he chases and passes Andreas Schmidt through mixed-class racing at Carolina Motorsports Park in November.
Race two saw Charles Ford set a new CMP Spec3 lap record with a 1:47.069, besting the previous record held by Schmidt by almost half a second. Charles Ford finished first, with Schmidt in second and Justin Hite in third. The rest of the results are available by clicking the button at the bottom of the story.
For race three, officials inverted the field based on the race two finishing positions, a unique Spec3 Southeast format that will carry over to next year following the excitement and enthusiasm it has brought to the Spec3 racers this year. We will let the video speak for itself as you watch the Spec3 field enter some turns four wide and have great battles as they try to un-invert themselves. Charles Ford diced through to victory as Andy Schimdt and Justin Hite battled for second and eventually crossed the line a tenth apart as Justin passed Andy for second place. This was a fitting end to a weekend filled with tons of fun and excitement on and off the track.
The Spec3 racers in Southeast look to wrap up the 2024 season at the Santa’s Toy Run event at Road Atlanta in December and look forward to welcoming new racers in competition school as early as January for 2025!
The Spec3 racers are a great group! Can’t thank those at this event enough for the help they gave to us students on comp school day, from tires, fuel, brake pads, The welcome shower. I can’t wait for 2025 season.