Allen third in VARA race

Dennis Allen finished third among the Formula V drivers in the Vintage Auto Racing Association flag race April 1 at Willow Springs.

“My car ran really well,” Allen said.

Allen qualified seventh March 31 and finished fourth among Formula V entrants in the 11-lap qualifying race that afternoon.

“I was running a lot faster on Sunday,” Allen said. “I was turning some fast times.”

Allen was third among the 11 drivers in the April 1 race, which also consisted of 11 laps on the nine-turn road course totaling approximately 2 1/2 miles. “I love that track. It’s really a high-speed track,” Allen said.

In the flag race Allen came up on the two leaders, both of which were true vintage Formula V cars. Allen, who drives a 1995 Adams Aero, passed one of them after about half a lap. “They were just nice enough to let me run,” Allen said.

Allen didn’t want to ruin the race between the true Formula V vintage cars. “I slowed up, let them go on with their race,” he said. “I backed off and let them go.”

Allen felt that he could have taken the lead had he chosen to race with the true vintage drivers. After backing off of the leaders, he was able to exhibit the speed of his car, and after the race he said that the car met his performance objectives.