Rounds 7 and 8 of the Southwest Formula Mazda Series were held July 23-24 at Hallett Motor Racing Circuit near Tulsa, Oklahoma. Temperatures were in the 100's, but the drivers still had loads of fun and tight competition. There were 12 Formula Mazdas present with 10 competing for series points. New to the Series, were Chris Bedford (Dallas, Tx) and Richard Stephens (Broken Arrow, Ok). A big thanks goes to the new Series drivers. The battle between Russell Walker and David Stover was again continued with qualifying times and fastest race laps extremely close. The two competitors put on quite a show with lots of action and very "clean" racing. Walker qualified on the pole Saturday with Stover in 2nd. Stover took the lead on the first lap, but lost it to Walker on Lap 4. Thereafter, Stover made a pass on Walker but ended up "off course" and never regained the lead. Michael Tari, who qualified 3rd, "went off" in Lap 6 leaving J.W. Roberts in 3rd position. However, Teen Series competitor Steven Hickham was soon pressuring Roberts and got around him on Lap 9. But Roberts did not let young Hickham take his podium gently. Hickham had to hold Roberts off for the remaining 11 laps to finish in 3rd behind Stover and Walker. On Sunday, Stover pulled out a 1:15:52 on his last lap of Qualifying, taking the pole away from Walker who "threw down" a 1:15:58. Michael Tari qualified 3rd. Stover and Walker again had a very exciting battle with leads swapping back and forth. A "Double Yellow" brought the field together on Lap 13. On the re-start, Stover and Walker put on another display of great racing by going side by side for 5 corners. They had all the spectators on their feet and yelling. Stover came out on top and won the race with Walker in 2nd. J.W. Roberts, still hot for a podium finish, gave Michael Tari a "run for his money". Tari gave it his all and finished in 3rd. Other great battles emerged between Mike Fling and Richard Stephens who were both racing on their home track. Fling finished 5th on Sunday in front of Stephens who had finished right in front of Fling the previous day. At the conclusion of the weekend, Robert Baker is in the lead for Masters Champion and J.W. Roberts is leading for Rookie of the Year. The SWFM Series will return to Hallett for more action on August 26-27-28.