Unleash the Racing Spirit at Scottsdale Ferrari Apex

Mazda MX5 Cup: A Battle of Passes and Lead Changes

Tom Tait, fresh off his Ford Mustang Challenge Series season, took the MX5 Cup win in his first race. Starting as the pole sitter but falling to fourth at one point, he dug his way back to the front. Lucas Barnett, who started fourth, came second after a spicy Turn 7 penultimate lap pass on Joey Rainey. There were a total of four lead changes, with the points battle after two rounds incredibly close, with only 13 points separating five drivers.

The fast-growing class witnessed a train of four cars breaking away early and battling within inches for 30 straight minutes. It was a chaotic yet exciting display of racing, with drivers constantly jockeying for position. As Barnett said, "You think you’re doing well and then all of sudden you’re not and you’re in fourth or fifth, and the next thing you know you’re in the front. You can make passes very easily in that car. It was a blast."

Radical Class: Close-Quarters Racing at Its Best

Chris McMurry captured the overall and Gold class pole in the Radical class and survived multiple restarts to win flag-to-flag. Andy Voelkel and Ralph Gilles started second and third and finished in that order. Lucky Ludwig, who recovered from a crash in the prior race, finished fourth and earned hard charger honors, picking up three spots.

Newcomer Ryan Fisher has emerged as the early season favorite in the Silver class, notching his second straight win and first class pole while finishing sixth overall. Evan Wolf and Carl Fredrickson, both Silver class contenders, followed closely behind. As Voelkel said, "Consistency is key along with having the team and car to where the driver likes it helps a lot."

GT4 Race: A Fierce Battle for Podium Spots

Scott Dehlendorf took the pole and led handily in his Porsche Clubsport. Behind him, a five-car, three-make battle ensued between Matt Williams, Matt Crandall, Joey Rainey, Joe Rainey, and Bill Lawrence. Joey Rainey picked his way through traffic and eventually gapped the remaining group. After Williams and Crandall swapped positions multiple times, Crandall finally made good with just five minutes remaining for what looked like the final podium spot. However, Dehlendorf had a mechanical on the final laps, handing Joey Rainey his second GT4 win this season and seventh straight win dating back to last season. Crandall inherited second in his first GT4 race at Apex, and Joe Rainey rounded out the podium.

Time Attack: Last Season's Champion Returns

Last season's champion Jeff Koning returned after missing round one and earned the top spot in Time Attack. He was followed by round one's winner Star Sawalqah and Bret Voelkel, who sits second in points now behind Sawalqah.

The Scottsdale Ferrari Apex Challenge series continues to deliver thrilling races and unforgettable moments. Round 3 is up next on December 14. If you're interested in becoming an Apex member and racer and getting involved, please reach out here. Here's a look at the early season standings:

Radical Gold - 52 - Chris McMurry, 33 - Andy Voelkel, 32 - Ralph Gilles, 22 - Jason Plotke, 20 - Jace Bacon

Radical Silver - 51 - Ryan Fisher, 31 - Jason Dyer, 31 - Evan Wolf, 29 - Niko Kourouglos, 27 - Carl Fredrickson

GT3 - 25 - Brannan Hankins, 20 - Chris Hanson, 16 - Ralf Ludwig, 13 - Jordan Darling

GT4 - 51 - Joey Rainey, 36 - Joe Rainey, 29 - Matt Williams, 23 - Scott Dehlendorf, 22 - Bill Lawrence

Mazda Miata - 39 - Jessica Rainey, 29 - Joey Rainey, 29 - Joe Rainey, 27 - Jacob Rainey, 26 - Tom Tait

Time Attack Street Car - 45 - Star Sawalqah, 32 - Brett Voelkel, 25 - Jeff Koning, 20 - Jordan Sawalqah, 13 - Kent Kirimli