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NewsJune 23, 2008, June Sprints. Glen Cooper, of Atlanta, Georgia, driving the first production version of the Novak Van Diemen conversion won the prestigious June Sprints at Road American in Wisconsin. In only its second outing, he took the checkered flag in front of a stellar field of FB cars. His informative and entertaining account of the weekend can be found HERE.
October 12, 2007, Novak Wins Formula 500 National Championship. Brian Novak, of Dearborn, Mich., led all 18-laps to win his first Formula 500 National Championship at the 2007 SCCA National Championship Runoffs at Heartland Park Topeka. From his second qualifying position, Brian got a good jump at the start in his No. 66 Hoosier Tire/HRP Motorsports NovaKar heading into turn one and never looked back. He led the entire 18-lap race winning by 4.576-seconds.
The SCCA National Championship Runoffs® crowned Sports Car Club of America’s Club Racing National Champions for the 44th-consecutive year. The best amateur drivers from across North America convened on Heartland Park Topeka’s 2.5-mile road course in what is considered the “Olympics” of motorsports. SPEEDTV will broadcast the race on December 5 at noon, Eastern time.
June 25, 2007. Brian Novak captured the first round of the coveted SCCA Triple Crown with a decisive victory at the June Sprints at Road America. Brian was driving the latest version of the innovative Novak F500 car. Not only did Brian take the checkered flag, but he also set a new course and Sprints lap record. His record setting time also bettered the best lap of the Formula Ford winner.
March 1, 2007 Press Release Award-winning racecar
creator enters F1000 design competition Brighton,
Mich. - Racers who want to compete in the new F1000 amateur class now have an
innovative low-cost car option. Retired
Ford NASCAR race manager and creator of the highly successful NovaKar and
Rakavon F500 sports cars, Jay Novak, is unveiling a complete “bolt-on” F1000
conversion kit for Van Diemen Formula Continentals and Fords. “A
lot of competitors have expressed interest in F1000, but the cost of new cars
may keep them away,” said Novak. “Our solid, well-designed conversion kit
for hundreds of already existing Van Diemen cars will give racers a relatively
low cost way to get into this exciting new class, which could be an important
step in re-establishing the preeminence of open wheel amateur racing in the
U.S.” Novak
has more than a decade of experience building simple and low cost Formula 500
racecars, many of which are able to turn the same lap times as the best and more
powerful Formula Fords. He became an auto-racing enthusiast at an early age,
when he went to his first race at 12. Novak converted that passion into a career
as a mechanical engineer and chassis specialist for Ford Racing. Now he’s
retiring from Ford to pursue racing full time. The
new NovaRace Cars Van Diemen conversion kit maintains Novak’s design
philosophy of low-cost, elegant simplicity. It will not only allow for a
complete bolt-on conversion to F1000 with zero welding to the chassis, but it
will also use all existing Van Diemen geometry. Novak estimates a full
conversion should take a couple of weekends of work at the lowest cost possible. NovaRace
has teamed with car owner Sean Maisey of Lanexa, Va., for the design of the
first conversion kit, using SolidWorks 3D modeling package for all design and
modeling work. Construction of the prototype conversion is expected to start in
the company’s Brighton, Mich., shop the first week in March. The
initial engine package will use the Suzuki GSXR 1000 engine. Engine mounting
kits will be available for both wet and dry sump. Other engine installation kits
will be available as demand warrants. Conversion
package will include: •
complete
bolt-on sub-frame assembly •
all
suspension attachment brackets •
engine
mounting brackets •
quaiffe
differential and sprocket •
differential
mounting brackets, bearings and adjuster mechanism •
DID X-ring chain •
correct
axle flanges for either CV joints of tri-pod joints •
properly
designed and effective air box for GSXR 1000 engine •
appropriate
rear springs •
exhaust
headers and muffler •
wing
mount to use existing wings •
all required fasteners The first completed car is expected to be delivered by
mid-June and will start competing in national races. Production kits should be
available by late July. For pricing information please contact Jay Novak at jnovak@novaracecars.com
and go to www.novaracecars.com
for the latest updates on this new low-cost option for F1000 racing.
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“It’s
unbelievable considering how many years I’ve had something go wrong at the
Runoffs,” Novak said of his first win. “I think I’ve finished the Runoffs
three times out of six tries. But, it was finally good to have everything go
right. I was trying to run a conservative race. This feels pretty good. It’s
been a long time coming.”