Formula Atlantic® (FA) is arguably one of SCCA’s sexiest classes. Open fenders, striking aero, and screaming engines are a recipe for eye-popping performance that fans love and drivers can’t get enough of. Add in the long straights and technical sections of Road America’s 4.048-mile circuit, where the SCCA® National Championship Runoffs® Presented by Sunoco took place, and the the race was a hell of a way to end the first of two Hagerty Race Days; a thrilling battle Hans Peter took full advantage of when he was the first to cross under the double checker, earning his fourth Runoffs gold medal driving his No. 66 Hoosier Swift 016a Mazda in an impressive – albeit shortened – flag-to-flag win.
It was Peter’s fifth Tire Rack Pole — and his second in a row, perhaps the start of a trend. His 2:00.923 qualifying lap was blisteringly quick, with second-place qualifier Tony Ave more than a second back with a 2:02.149. Considering Ave’s time was not much quicker than third- and fourth-place qualifiers Dudley Fleck and James French, it appeared possible that this race could involve a breakaway by the leader while the rest of the field battled for the final two steps of the podium.
Despite his strong qualifying run, Ave was unable to make the start and was scored with a DNS.
With Ave out, 11 Formula Atlantics took the green – their engines roaring as the field saw the “go” flag. Peter’s speed immediately showed as he held the lead over Fleck, French, Shane Kennett, and the rest of the Atlantic field.
Working lap three, Peter looked poised for a flag-to-flag run, already holding a 2.097-second lead over French. That gap didn’t widen, however, as French, Fleck, and Kennett matched Peter’s pace once the cars came up to temperature.
Working lap seven, disaster struck for those in the hunt, as Fleck made contact with a Prototype while maneuvering through traffic in the split-start race. His Swift spun wildly through Turn 2, collecting French and some Prototypes in the mayhem.
The green flag flew again on lap 10, and Peter immediately opened a gap on Kennett. Held up briefly by a pair of Prototypes, Kennett had to clear traffic before he could put his head down and truly enter the chase.
Yet that chase was never to be, as a spinning Prototype brought out the double yellow once again. With the lap count winding down and the sun dropping toward the horizon, the race ended under caution, with Peter claiming his fourth National Championship title — his first since 2007. He was followed to the finish by Kennett’s No. 63 Secretariat/Lights Out Racing Swift 016a Mazda and the No. 12 Mantac LLC Van Diemen DP04 Honda of Reily Harris.
“I had really big luck all weekend,” Pater said after the race, adding, “but I didn't really think it would take me 17 years to win another one of these. I finished second three times in a row.”
Peter had taken several years off from Formula Atlantic competition to race with his son, returning with the help of Formula Atlantic guru Mirl Swan. “Mirl really worked on me this year,” Peter explained. “He put me in the car a lot more. He coached me. Gave me some new driving techniques, and that was the difference.”
Kennett couldn’t have been happier with his finish – especially considering this was his Runoffs debut. “Oh, it feels great,” he exclaimed before heading to victory circle to spray Mazza sparkling wine with the other podium finishers. “This is my first Runoffs ever, first full season in the car. great to avoid the accidents out there and bring home at least P2 for the old girl.”
A bronze medal for a Van Diemen in Formula Atlantic was an unlikely result, and Harris was tickled pink. “It feels awesome,” Harris grinned. “We couldn't have asked for a better day. I’ve got to thank my family, my crew, my wife for letting us do this … it was a fun race and we're having a great time!”
David Burkett rounded out the top five finishers in the class, his run from 11th on the grid earning him the Sunoco Hard Charger award.
The 62nd SCCA® National Championship Runoffs® Presented by Sunoco is the pinnacle of American amateur motorsports and crowns Sports Car Club of America™ Champions as part of the Summit Racing Equipment SCCA Road Racing program. In 2025, two Hagerty Race Days at Wisconsin’s Road America decide 23 gold-medal winners.
Live, online video coverage of Runoffs races is available over both competition days at SCCA’s Official YouTube Channel. Live timing and scoring for each race is also available at SCCA.com/live.
Below are final results for Saturday’s Formula Atlantic race at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs Presented by Sunoco; with finish position, starting position in parentheses, driver, SCCA Region, car, and laps completed.
1, (1), Hans Peter, Kansas City Region, Swift 016a Mazda, 11.
2, (5), Shane Kennett, Colorado Region, Swift 016a Mazda, 11.
3, (7), Reilly Harris, Neohio Region, Van Diemen DP04 Honda, 11.
4, (11), David T Burkett, South Texas Border Region, Swift 014a Toyota, 11.
5, (6), John Mcaleer, Atlanta Region, Swift 016a Mazda, 11.
6, (10), John Norton, Arizona Region, Swift 014a Toyota, 11.
7, (8), J R Smart, Milwaukee Region, Swift 014a Mazda, 11.
8, (12), Bill Johnson, Lone Star Region, Elan Star Pro Mazda, 11.
9, (4), James French, Milwaukee Region, Swift 014a Toyota, 6.
10, (3), Dudley Fleck, Iowa Region, Swift 016a Mazda, 6.
DNF, (9), Jeremy Hill, Ohio Valley Region, Swift 014a Toyota, 3.
DNF, (2), Tony Ave, Central Carolinas Region, Swift 016a Mazda, 0.
Race Stats
Length of Race: 44.53 miles
Overall Time of Race: 28:52.969 (avg. 92.501 mph)
Margin of Victory: 0.706 seconds
Fastest Race Lap: 2:02.654 (118.812 mph)
Lap Leaders: #66, Laps 1-11
Sunoco Hard Charger: #2 David T Burkett
Photo by: Jeff Loewe
