Joey Foster Crowned Vice Champion in the 2005 Cooper Tires FF2000 Championship at Virginia
09.10.2005 by Harry Hogge
Thursday and Friday Testing
With only a few short sessions over the two days, learning the picturesque 3.2 mile Virginia Raceway was always going to be difficult for the FF2000 drivers. However, the challenge was made even more exciting as the 23 drivers competing didn't get to complete even one dry lap.
"The conditions over the two test days were a complete wash out. It was torrential and never seemed to let up. It was a blast to try and learn the track in such conditions as it was tough to keep the car facing forward even on the straights," described Joey.
After the official timed test on the Friday Joey was left in a positive mood as his BRDC/Bradfords/Keenpine/Woodpecker, supported Van Diemen 01 topped the time sheets.
Saturday Qualifying
The qualifying session late Saturday afternoon saw the rain continuing. The 30 minute session had several drivers trading the pole time. British rival Jay Howard ended the session with the fastest time just a tenth ahead of Alan Sciuto (fresh from his one off showing in Toyota Atlantic). Joey was on the 3rd spot just two tenths behind.
"I was consistently fast throughout the session. We were on top for the majority but when it mattered on the last lap we lost a few tenths stuck behind a slower car in the final corner. We have the pace to win the race though, so 3rd place isn?t a bad spot to be." commented Joey
Sunday Morning Race 1
Rumours of a dry first race were dashed as the rain continued into Sunday morning. The drivers all lined up with the wet setups they had determined over the previous few days.
As the cars made their way toward the green flag the anticipation of a great race in tricky conditions grew. The cars remained in tight formation until the flag dropped. On the run to the first corner Howard had the lead followed closely by Sciuto and Robert Podlesni. Joey ran close behind in forth. As the cars braked for the first corner Foster produced a move around the outside which saw him move from forth to second. As they ran around the first half of the lap Joey was able to close the gap right up to Howard.
Howard made a costly error and the cars exited the turn with Foster just in front. However, before the exit there was contact and the cars were sent spinning down the wet grass and became locked together, both were out of the race.
Alan Sciuto went on to win the race followed by Robert Podlensi. Third place was for Nick Boulle who was ecstatic with his first ever podium.
"I'm very frustrated by what happened in this race. He (Jay) made a mistake and I capitalised. I left him all the room he needed to stay on the track so we could both get through. For some reason he still hit me and turn both of us out the race" remarked a furious Foster.
Sunday Evening Race 2
Race Two was set for one of the finest races of the season. For the first time in the four days at VIR the track was dry and the cars were shod on slicks. None of the drivers lined up on the grid were sure of the dry lines or the reduced braking points. Add to the back of the grid year long Championship rivals Joey Foster and Jay Howard.
As the cars raced past the green flag to start lap one Scito lead followed by Chris Guerreri of Aiken Racing. Both Joey and Howard were pushing to make up as many places as possible. By lap 3 Joey was up to 5th place from 23rd on the grid. Unfortunately just a couple of corners later slight contact after a pass on J.R. Hildebrand was to prove disastrous for the race as Joey's suspension failed on the straight causing him to retire.
"It caps off a very frustrating weekend. We have had the pace since we arrived. It could easily have been transformed into two wins if it wasn't for the ridiculous incident in the first race." said Joey.
"It has been a fantastic debut year in the States. We have won races and showed how competitive I can be. Now I'm just looking forward to next year."
"I have to thank Dom and Nick, TT, Eric, and Don at Cape Motorsports for the competitive car they have given me all year. Also my sponsors the British Racing Drivers Club, Bradfords Building Supplies, Keenpine, Leigh IT, and Woodpecker Pine for all their help. On top of the list for people I need to thank are my family, my dad Ivan, mum Judi, and my sister Lee as well as my girlfriend Jennifer for every way they have helped me over the course of this year. And of course my friends; they know who they are."