The Formula 5000 Drivers Association closed its 2017 racing season at the SVRA National Championships at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas on November 5, 2017, crowning Seb Coppola (1970 Lola T192-Chevrolet) as overall champion of the 2017 F5000 Revival Race Championship Series and the winner of Class A for pre-1972 cars. Taking Class B (1972-1976 cars) championship honors was Jim Stengel (1973 McRae GM1-Chevrolet).
Finishing first in Class A at the COTA season finale was Paul Kuhl driving a 1968 Lola T140. Kuhl joined the F5000 group this year after buying the car from New Zealanders Allen and Paul Dunkley. Kuhl, an experienced racer, is repeating the success that the Dunkleys had with the car at the 2015 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. Finishing 2nd in Class A was Coppola (above, photo courtesy of F5000 Registry), who clinched the championship, while Johnnie Crean took 3rd in his 1969 Gurney Eagle Mk5-Chevrolet.
Finishing first in F5000 Class B and first overall was Philip Lewis in a 1972 Matich A50. Lewis dominated throughout the weekend after Rick Parsons in his 1976 Lola T332C experienced engine problems. Second place in Class B went to Stengel in his 1973 McRae GM1.
The F5000 Drivers Association now turns its attention to 2018 and the celebration of the 50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee of Formula 5000 with races planned at iconic race circuits in North America.
The U.S. Formula 5000 Drivers Association is a membership organization established to promote the restoration, presentation, registration and racing of historic Formula 5000 racecars. For further information please visit www.F5000Registry.com
