Fluge Global Adventures

Matt Crandall, current star of the FGA racing team, drove his GT2 Panoz to a pair of brilliant victories in the third SCCA regional championship race of 2008. After sitting out Saturday’s qualifying session of GT and Super Touring cars, Crandall was placed last on the race grid. Nick Fluge, FGA, looking well coifed and assured in his stunning white Momo race suit sat on the pole eager to take home another of the many trophies that are beginning to overwhelm the small mantle in his home.

The morning race began as many of recent history have…Fluge, the upstart ‘novice’ taking a pole position against many seasoned veterans. Fans surrounded his ride before being forced to leave the area at the one minute warning whistle. Porsche’s, Panoz, and Pony cars revved their engines and set their sights on Fluge’s Super Touring Blue Corvette. As the starter sent the cars on their pace lap, one other FGA car sat on the other end of the field, last, but lying in wait to destroy the hopes and dreams of Fluge’s die-hard fans. It was Crandall!

Fluge held a commanding lead over the admirable field, but something was wrong. The blue Panoz of Crandall was moving through the field quickly, mowing down the competition like ducks in a blind. Appearing larger and larger in Fluge’s florescent mirrors, Crandall streaked by a group of cars who were asleep on the green. Then over the next several laps he made quick work of the remaining field. He moved into second place after overtaking solid drives by Porsche driver, Dan Jesse and Panoz driver, Andrew Foley.

Matt Crandall driving to victories in GT2 and Group C

The afternoon race was similar to the morning with Fluge taking an early lead and Crandall overtaking the Corvette to make it two in a row. With track records under his belt in ST and ITE (along with class wins), Fluge couldn’t be too disappointed to see another FGA car in the winners circle. Todd Harris, (third FGA team-mate) called in from Road Atlanta where he spent the weekend training and testing Ferrari Team drivers and cars. He congratulated the team and reminded them he would be back to defend his Rose cup victory in June.

Nick Fluge setting ST and ITE track records

Rumors that Fluge and Team had exited from sports car racing were erased this last weekend by a flurry of exciting track activity complete with acts of nature, petrol shortage, and the familiar checkered flag still waving for Nick and Team. (It just waived a little differently than last year).

Mid-week practice brought the clouds out and dumped rain, snow, and hail on Fluge’s Corvette. The cold weather and rain persisted through the weekend almost as if the deity was giving FGA new challenges for 2008.

When Sunday arrived, Fluge set the pole position for not only Group H but also for Group C. Group C is home to GT and other racing cars and classes reserved for some of the best drivers in the Sports Car Club of America.

The first race featured a pack of Porsche’s out to take down 2007 ITE champion Nick’s Z06. Fluge jumped into the lead and had lapped most of the field when the car died on the front straight. With minutes to go, he had run out of gas! Porsches and other car drivers smiled as they sped quickly past the Vette, dead in the water and without a gas pump in sight.

Not to worry - the main Group C race loomed ahead. Here, a great qualifying time put Nick once again on the pole. On the outside pole was a Porsche GT3 Cup champion waiting to tear the doors off of the local (and humble) Fluge. Team-mate, Matt Crandall was driving the other FGA car, a GT2 Panoz.

Once the flag dropped the Porsche powered by Fluge on the front straight (once owned by Fluge). The field of 20 cars flew at high speed around PIR with Matt Crandall starting in 23rd position. Within 4 laps, Crandall had moved the Panoz into 2nd place overall - quite an achievement for the previous GT2 champion.

As Crandall was moving dearly close to the leading Porsche, lightning struck Team FGA for a second time as his drive-train broke rendering him a DNF for the race. Even with the exit, many in the audience considered his driving near flawless and without the break, a sure winner for the Group. Crandall is the serious favorite to win the GT2 class by the end of the 2008 SCCA season.

Fluge, driving in Super Touring, a new ‘’super car” category continued lapping the track at high velocity hoping that fate would not strike FGA a third time. It didn’t. Fluge took the checkered flag and won the S.T. class on his first outing in that category. Victory was sweet!

Team-mate, Pro-Drive Owner, and Ferrari Test Driver; Todd Harris drove his normal world class lines to take first place in the “Spec Ford” race. The DerHaag Corvette remains under wraps for now - but many expect Todd to drive for another Rose Cup victory in June.

Harris and Crandall, long time racing champions in various cars and divisions are set to have a tremendous year given their outstanding driving ability. Fluge still ponders his future in racing but has at least one more trophy to add to his collection after this spring adventure.