Roux and Hobby Crowned 2008 Champions in New England Challenge Series for Formula Fords

The sixth season of the New England Challenge (NEC) Series for Formula Ford came to a successful close at Lime Rock Park in September with Doug Hobby and Steve Roux claiming the series championship in Formula Ford (FF) and Club Ford (CF) respectively.

Hobby, from Sharon Connecticut, captured his second NEC championship. He captured the championship in 2005 and finished a close second in 2007 championship race. Doug had four wins out of the seven events that he entered in 2008.

Roux, from New Fairfield Connecticut has been a regular on the NEC tour since its inception in 2003 and has always been a strong contender for the championship in the always tough Club Ford class, finishing second in 2006 and third in 2007. Steve earned the 2008 championship by collecting podium finishes in each of the six 2008 series events that he entered.

In Formula Ford, Bill Valet, the 2007 series champion from Holbrook New York, finished a strong second with wins in the final two events after missing the first half of the season. Charles Foster, from Fredericton New Brunswick Canada finished third while running a very limited schedule. In Club Ford, Jim MacNichol from Bethel Connecticut captured the second position with an impressive late season string of three consecutive podium finishes, including a win at Watkins Glen. He was closely followed in the points standings by Stephen Wilson of Pedricktown New Jersey who started the season with a pair of wins at Pocono but only ran a limited NEC schedule the remainder of the year.

The NEC series started the 2008 season at Summit Point in conjunction with the MARRS I Regional before moving on to the Pocono Double Regional on Mother's Day weekend. The series resumed in July with the inaugural SCCA event at the New Jersey Motorsports Park where 13 Fords and Club Fords contested for “first NJMP win” bragging rights and the first track records. The series moved on to New Hampshire International Speedway in August before hitting Watkins Glen for the traditional Fun One Double Regional where 20 Fords and Club Fords battled for podium positions. The 2008 series ended with the NARRC Run-Offs at Lime Rock Park in late September after the traditional June day for the NEC visit to that track was postponed due to repaving.

In all, 22 Formula Ford Drivers and 20 Club Ford drivers took part in at least one NEC event in 2008. The average entries overall all events was 10 with a high of 20 at the Watkins Glen Fun One.

The series champions for 2008 received a labor credit from Justice Racing Engines of Winchester Maryland.