http://www.yoracing.com/ Event listing for YO Racing en-us webmaster@yoracing.com (YO Racing) Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:39:44 Eastern Standard Time Copyright 2006 YO Racing. All rights reserved. http://www.yoracing.com/event.cfm?id=35 Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:00:00 Eastern Daylight Time Mike Hill continued his winning momentum started with his Round 5 win the day before by winning Round 6, sweeping the weekend with two wins, and claiming the inaugural 2007-2008 Formula Star Mazda Winter Series Championship presented by Standing Start. Mike explained, "The Winter Series was a great opportunity to develop race craft and to test in a competitive medium. Even thought there was not as much competition as there will be this year in the 2008 Formula Star Mazda Series it still provided a competitive environment and demanded my absolute focus, I have already competed in six races with my team; I understand how they operate and how they expect me to operate and communicate so we are now on the same page as we head to Sebring. It feels great to head into the 2008 season with this much momentum from my success on the track and with my team." John Walko (Mike's team owner) was equally enthusiastic about the results, "The Star Mazda Winter Series was absolutely wonderful. The series was an excellent way to prepare for the 2008 season and good way to keep busy during a slow time of the year. The experience of competing in the car is far superior to that of a private testing program. Heading into the 2008 season with Mike, I feel confident that he will excel having gained valuable experience in a competitive environment; as always, we will see what happens at Sebring." http://www.yoracing.com/event.cfm?id=34 Sun, 20 Jan 2008 00:00:00 Eastern Standard Time Race conditions for Round 4 on Sunday was more of the same as they had been on the previous race day. The day started with everything from wet to drying conditions. With the rains stopped, the sun starting to shine and the race ready to roll. the team decided to take their chances on slicks. "It was a wet morning leaning towards drying and we did get the morning practices on slicks. By race time, the sun was coming out and the track was starting to dry so we made the call to go with slicks. During the pace lap it started to rain tough and we were one of the only front runners on slicks. Mike put on a great drive and came home third, not only finishing on slicks but beating most of the rest of the field that was on rain tires. By the end of the race he was running times within a half second of the leaders which was really impressive." The Gilroy, California driver looks to the final round at Phoenix International Raceway with his eye on a potential Championship after scoring two wins, a second and a third in the first four races. Team Quotes: Mike Hill: "It was a really good weekend. We were surprised by the track to a degree initially but it turned out to be a great test of all that racing involves. We had a commanding lead in the first race but it was really the first dry session so I was trying some different lines and got caught and passed only to have the race end under yellow on the next lap. In the second race we went with a dry set-up but it rained again during the race which made every turn a gut check and a challenge! I still finished third, keeping a good pace despite being one of the only cars on slicks. We worked our tails off all weekend to get the car to work right in all the different conditions. The crew was fantastic again and I was able to learn so much working with everyone. I definitely drove to my abilities as well so I was really proud of that." John Walko - Engineer for Mike Hill: "Mike was unbelievable. Sunday in particular in the rain was a really impressive drive. I was actually more impressed by that drive than the two wins at Buttonwillow. It was fun to watch, it was that good. Mike is a talented driver, and this event was a true test of his abilities in a variety of conditions as well as his ability to adapt to street race-like track conditions." http://www.yoracing.com/event.cfm?id=29 Sun, 09 Dec 2007 00:00:00 Eastern Standard Time The John Walko Racing team rolled in to Firebird International Raceway with no experience at the facility but plenty of expectations. Driver Mike Hill scored an impressive sweep at the previous event, scoring two wins at Buttonwillow, but had never raced at Firebird either. In addition to the lack of previous data to work with from the facility, the lack of a practice day preceding the event meant the team would have to come off of the trailer strong and be able to adapt to the track and conditions quickly. With the Star Mazda Winter Series running practice, qualifying and a race each day there would be little room for error. According to John Walko the team was confident in their preparations and that of their driver but, they were also dealt an additional variable on Saturday morning. "It was another good weekend. We would have liked to have run on Friday as we were there and prepared but to no avail. To make matters more interesting on Saturday, we were met with a wet session first thing in the morning. Mike proved that he came ready as well holding down the top spot by a few seconds." The rest of the weekend proved to be a test of the team's ability to adjust to a constant series of changing weather conditions and track conditions. Even with a dry track, the bumps and grittiness of the surface was akin to street racing. John Walko had noted, "we had little time to make many changes but, we were fortunate enough to have excellent street course and wet set-up data to work from. Mike provided good feedback and adjusted quickly, setting out to an early lead on Saturday. He later had a pretty good dice for the lead, but the race ended up finishing under yellow with us in second. A good second place finish there with little testing or time to rub on the car much to tune for the track." http://www.yoracing.com/event.cfm?id=30 Sat, 08 Dec 2007 00:00:00 Eastern Standard Time On Sunday, racing resumed with Round 2 where the results of the second race were the same as Round 1 with JWR and Hill scoring their second victory of the weekend. However, this race involved a more patient, measured approach. "In the first race Mike dominated, not just winning but lapping the entire field. But in the second race he also demonstrated that he is capable of driving a smart, calculated race. He settled in to second shadowing the leader and staying in tight contact while waiting for an opportunity. As soon as the leader made a mistake he was able to grab the top spot and hold onto it for the win". For the team, it was a well deserved, successful weekend. "It was one of those weekends where we just couldnt make a wrong adjustment to the car. We really needed it too  it was a great shot in the arm for everyone on the team coming so soon after the close of the 2007 Star Mazda Championship series. This was a big commitment to run these west coast winter races and everyone from the team to the driver responded perfectly. We are all looking forward to the next round in Arizona coming up soon." Team Quotes: Mike Hill: "I couldn"t imagine this could be any better of a first effort with a new team and a new series. The crew did a great job and they worked hard all weekend. I communicated well with John and everyone else and the car handled magnificently all weekend. They did a great job! We had a great car all weekend and I was able to drive smart and safe and bring it home in one piece!" John Walko - Engineer for Mike Hill: "Mike did a tremendous job considering that he was dealing with so many things for the first time. He did one test at Buttonwillow previously but on a totally different configuration and not in race conditions. It was also his first time working with our team and his first time in a Star Mazda race. Throw in all of those factors and it makes the wins all that more impressive." http://www.yoracing.com/event.cfm?id=31 Sun, 18 Nov 2007 00:00:00 Eastern Standard Time The Star Mazda Winter Series kicked off with a two race event at Buttonwillow Raceway Park in California. JWR wasted little time in establishing themselves as a favorite in the series, dominating the weekend with two wins by newcomer to the team Mike Hill. The 18 year old Gilroy, California native proved to be a quick learner qualifying second for each of the two races in his first outing with the team, not to mention his first race ever in the Formula Star Mazda car. Team owner John Walko attributed the success to many factors including the preparation of everyone involved. "The team came prepared and totally focused this weekend and we executed our plan well. We had actually started on Tuesday with the seat fitting and had time to complete everything we planned well before being on track for Thursday testing. It went very smooth, just the way we planned it". Hill was quick from the very start and continued to improve in each session resulting in front row qualifying positions on each of the two race days. According to John Walko, "Mike's input was right on; he was clean and consistent and easy to work with. His relationship with Gord Bentley and Speed Secrets was a huge factor as well as he was already willing and able to listen to instruction and translate that in to on-track results." Once the racing was under way, Hill pounced early. Despite having to take evasive action in the opening corners, dropping all four corners off the track and falling to third, Hill proceeded to take the lead by the sixth turn and never look back. Along the way to the checkered flag Hill lapped the field. http://www.yoracing.com/event.cfm?id=32 Sat, 17 Nov 2007 00:00:00 Eastern Standard Time Hill Takes the Final Formula Ford Win at Laguna Seca for the 2006 Series Mike Hill (17), has taken the final Formula Ford race win at Laguna Seca this past weekend and wraps up the 2006 SCCA - San Francisco Region race series with some very impressive race statistics for his rookie year in Formula Ford. Under ideal race conditions at Laguna Seca (near Monterey, CA), Mike qualified 2nd overall during the qualifying session Saturday morning with a full field of contestants for this double points final race of the year. After his qualifying session, only minor chassis adjustments were made which allowed him to spend some time working out final race strategies with his crew (Porter Racing). Mike knew that the outcome of this race would have a definite outcome for the series championship due to the tight race battles that he had been facing throughout the year. When the race started, he was able to hold his starting position very close behind the first place car for the first few laps when a caution flag came out to cause a re-start. Soon after this re-start, Mike was able to make a pass and the tight race to the finish was on. Mike swapped the first place position a number of times throughout the remainder of the race until the final few laps where he was able to led the way to take the "checkered" flag. Mike had indicated the race, "had been the best close racing action he had experienced all year" and was delighted to have been able to close the year on this high note. Post race activity appeared to be just as exciting for Mike as his race win when the California Highway Patrol (Officer Chris Armstrong) staged a mock speeding ticket for Mike (doing in access of 120 mph, on the track). A number of race fans got a great opportunity to witness the fun of seeing this young driver go through the complete process of receiving his speeding ticket (as well as being hand-cuffed) in the pits. Mike is fortunate to be partnering with the CHP in a campaign to discourage teen racing on California Highways. The slogan that Mike and the CHP are promoting is, "It's OK to Race - Not on California Highways!". Mike will be working with the CHP in the months ahead to assist in community service ads, posters, and public appearances to promote teens to engage in safe and legal means of race activities - on the track! While Mike is developing his race career he is very excited in being able to assist the CHP in this very important race safety message. http://www.yoracing.com/event.cfm?id=9 Sat, 28 Oct 2006 00:00:00 Eastern Daylight Time With nearly 20 drivers entered in the last race of the season for the Senior Rotax race, Mike was able to squeeze out a good qualifying time which gave him a good starting position in the second row on the inside for the heat race. As is typical of most race starts, the first turn can be a trying challenge to get through without incident. And while Mike did escape any major confrontations with other drivers he had fallen back to forth on his way to the "Tic-Tac-Toe" turn after the start. Throughout the next hew laps Mike put his driving skills to work and made a pass to third and began working on closing the gap to second. With the remaining laps of the race, he had not been able to close quickly enough and tooka third place finish. For the start of the final race, Mike again was able to get through the first turn without incident and begun his pursuits to the front. Throughout this 15 lap main race, there had been greater challenges for his position with a number of passes and re-passes until the last lap, when Mike made an aggressive pass on the third place kart to finish the race in second place. Mike had commented at the end of the race, "this was the best race he has had in the Rotax race series". With the final race of the season for this series completed, it was a fitting comment to end the year's Rotax kart competition in the Marin Karting Rotax Max Challenge Series. http://www.yoracing.com/event.cfm?id=11 Sat, 21 Oct 2006 00:00:00 Eastern Daylight Time Text to be added http://www.yoracing.com/event.cfm?id=8 Sun, 01 Oct 2006 00:00:00 Eastern Daylight Time Text to be added http://www.yoracing.com/event.cfm?id=5 Sat, 30 Sep 2006 00:00:00 Eastern Daylight Time Text to be added http://www.yoracing.com/event.cfm?id=10 Sat, 23 Sep 2006 00:00:00 Eastern Daylight Time Text to be added http://www.yoracing.com/event.cfm?id=18 Sun, 03 Sep 2006 00:00:00 Eastern Daylight Time After crashing in the first heat race and finishing the two remaining heat races in the back of the pack Mike and his crew of Jack Yovanov and Chris Shaw begin trying to straighten the frame for the prerace the next day. Mike makes a superb effort in racing from 22nd place to finish 13th in the prerace. For the main event Mike races for 13th to finish 11th and get an invitation to the Grand National Race in September at Elkhart Lake, WI. http://www.yoracing.com/event.cfm?id=7 Sat, 26 Aug 2006 00:00:00 Eastern Daylight Time With a new qualifying record and second place finish, Mike returned on Sunday to qualify for the second regional race. Applying his good driving control and focus he was able to beat his previous day's qualifying record. Unlike the previous day's race, Mike started on the pole and led the entire race to take the win. http://www.yoracing.com/event.cfm?id=3 Sun, 06 Aug 2006 00:00:00 Eastern Daylight Time Mike lead the first lap but was challenged for the lead in turn one. Mike being on the outside of this high speed left hand turn got into some oil left from an earlier race and took an off track excursion making a 360 degree spin while maintaing enough control to immediately reenter the track safely. Once on the track Mike was in fifth place and began working his way to the front. One by one Mike was able to make passes throughout the race and soon found himself closing in on the leader. As the race came to an end Mike was not able to make that last pass and finished 0.609 seconds behind the leader for a second place finish. http://www.yoracing.com/event.cfm?id=1 Sat, 05 Aug 2006 00:00:00 Eastern Daylight Time On lap one Mike made a late braking stragic pass on the first 2 racecars in turn 11. Once in the lead Mike dominated the race up until the last lap when crew chief Neil Porter radioed Mike to let up on his race pace and take it easy, allowing the second place car to pass Mike in turn 11. While it was disappointing for Mike to have dominated the race and finish 2nd, once again he set a new track race record (1:38:230) for the Formula Ford series. http://www.yoracing.com/event.cfm?id=4 Sun, 02 Jul 2006 00:00:00 Eastern Daylight Time Text to be added http://www.yoracing.com/event.cfm?id=16 Sat, 01 Jul 2006 00:00:00 Eastern Daylight Time Text to be added http://www.yoracing.com/event.cfm?id=14 Sun, 11 Jun 2006 00:00:00 Eastern Daylight Time Text to be added http://www.yoracing.com/event.cfm?id=17 Sun, 21 May 2006 00:00:00 Eastern Daylight Time Text to be added http://www.yoracing.com/event.cfm?id=13 Sat, 20 May 2006 00:00:00 Eastern Daylight Time Text to be added. http://www.yoracing.com/event.cfm?id=19 Sun, 30 Apr 2006 00:00:00 Eastern Daylight Time Mike held on to third place until a restart with two laps to go. On the restart with cold tires Mike spun the car and found himself facing 40 Formula V cars fast approaching head on. Mike was lucky that no one hit him as he face the wrong way on the track. Mike righted the car and began to make up spots but ran out of race finishing 8th. http://www.yoracing.com/event.cfm?id=12 Sun, 23 Apr 2006 00:00:00 Eastern Daylight Time Recap of race. http://www.yoracing.com/event.cfm?id=15 Sat, 22 Apr 2006 00:00:00 Eastern Daylight Time Mike Hill had an interesting day. Mike went off track early, and spun the race car. He kept a cool head and got going again. Mike rejoined the race with a lot of ground to make up. And make it up he did, as Mike drove all the way back to finish in third place. It was a heck of a drive, using all the rain strategies he learned earlier that weekend with Memo Guidley coaching him. http://www.yoracing.com/event.cfm?id=2 Sun, 02 Apr 2006 00:00:00 Eastern Daylight Time