Alan Scott (44) leads the first lap of the AirTech Formula 2 race at Willow Springs in April of 1991. Nick Ienatsch (directly behind Scott) went on to win the race. In addition to Scott and Ienatsch you can also see Kenny Roberts, Jr. in third, followed by Danny Walker (101), Chris D’Aluisio (11) and others. (Larry Lawrence photo)

The field for the WERA AirTech F/2 race at Willow Springs in April of 1991 was deep. Rick Kirk and Danny Walker had recovered enough from early season injuries to race. Atlanta F/2 winner Chris D’Aluisio made his first appearance at Willow. Fast local 250 riders were in good supply also; they included Michael Graves (Chuck’s brother), Tom Paris, Kent Kunitsugu and Donny Greene.

From the start of the weekend however, it was obvious that Nick Ienatsch would be the man to beat. His 1:27s in practice were by far the fastest lap times among the F/2 riders; in fact Ienatsch’s times would have been competitive in the Formula USA class.

Alan Scott took command of the race at the start but Ienatsch was right in his draft. As the two went into the high-speed turn nine, Ienatsch made a daring outside pass on Scott. Ienatsch’s entry speed into the turn looked insane as he swept by Scott. “I was counting on the wind to slow me down through the exit of that turn,” Ienatsch said later. “If there hadn’t been a stiff head wind I never would have tried that.”

Scott was impressed by the move, “I figured Nick would be coming by me at some point, but I never imagined he would pass me there.”

After his bold move, Ienatsch quickly began to pull away from the rest of the field en route to victory.

Air Tech Formula Two Result from Willow Springs Raceway, Rosamond, Calif., April 14, 1991: 1. Nick Ienatsch, Los Angeles, Yamaha; 2. Alan Scott, Pleasant Hill, Calif, Yamaha; 3. Kenny Roberts Jr., Hickman, Calif., Yamaha; 4. Michael Graves, Los Angeles, Yamaha; 5. Chris D’Aluisio, West Redding, Ct., Yamaha; 6. Tom Paris, Northridge, Calif., Yamaha; 7. Rick Kirk, Claremore, Okla., Yamaha; 8. Danny Walker, Boulder, Colo., Yamaha; 9. Kent Kunitsugu, Los Angeles, Yamaha; 10. Brad Sawyer, Ft. Worth, Texas, Yamaha.