http://www.mustangchallenge.com/ The Ford Racing Mustang Challenge is a new professional racing series co-developed by Ford Racing and Miller Motorsports Park. en info@mustangchallenge.com Copyright 2010 2010-03-11T15:57:17-05:00 http://www.mustangchallenge.com/index.php/site/capaldi_racing_puts_both_entries_in_the_top_5_at_mustang_challenge_season_o/ http://www.mustangchallenge.com/index.php/site/capaldi_racing_puts_both_entries_in_the_top_5_at_mustang_challenge_season_o/#When:15:57:17Z March 11, 2010—After signing two veteran drivers to the line-up for 2010, Capaldi Racing had good reason to have high hopes for the season opening race of the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge at Homestead-Miami Speedway this past weekend.  And the team had good reason to be optimistic.  After qualifying, both drivers, Tony Buffomante in the #34 Capaldi Racing/Ford Performance Parts FR500S, and Steve Phillips in the #22 Old South Land Services-sponsored FR500S were happy with their cars as they qualified 4th and 6th on the grid, respectively. “This is a sign of really good things to come!“ exclaimed Buffomante. At the start of the race Buffomante moved up quickly, taking 3rd on lap one and setting his sights on the two leaders, Jason von Kluge and Pratt Cole. Several laps later, going into turn one Buffomante passed Cole for second place and the race looked good for the Chicago native in his first ride with the Capaldi Racing team.  “ Things got very interesting when a full course caution bunched up the field,” said Buffomante.  “With eight laps remaining, I was able to take the lead on the restart and began an epic battle with von Kluge for the remainder of the race.”  With three laps to go von Kluge passed Buffomante going into turn one en route to his first series win.  Buffomante took second, putting Capaldi Racing on the podium for their first time in the Mustang Challenge Series. “Finishing on the podium for the first time in the Mustang Challenge series is a great way to start the season” said Leo Capaldi.  “I’m really proud of the team and Tony for getting us up there.” Steve Phillips also had an eventful day with hard-fought battles throughout he race.  Phillips put his experience to good use on the modified oval track, finishing 5th in the highly competitive field. “We had a great handling car all weekend”, said Phillips.  “The set-up made me very confident on the tricky track.  I’m really looking forward to getting on the natural terrain road course at VIR next month and see what Tony and I can do there.” The next Ford Racing Mustang Challenge race is at Virginia International Raceway on April 25 but the Capaldi crew will be at Barber Motorsports Park on April 10 for the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Race with the Mustang FR500C driven by Phillips and fellow Mustang Challenge driver Brad Adams. Visit http://www.capaldiracing.com for Capaldi Racing team updates. Capaldi Racing, Inc., is a professional race team with 30 years racing experience that offers a wide range of racing services and products.  The team’s goal is to provide the best services, equipment, crew and results to ensure an enjoyable and rewarding experience for the drivers and their guests. Capaldi Racing has extensive experience when it comes to road racing Ford vehicles, and provides a full service racing experience from car build and prep to trackside support to ongoing maintenance for those interested in NASA’s Spec Focus Series, American Iron, the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge series, or the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Series.  For more information on Capaldi Racing, go to http://www.capaldiracing.com or call 586-336-RACE. About Ford Racing Mustang Challenge.  The Ford Racing Mustang Challenge series is a single make professional road racing series utilizing the Ford Mustang FR500S exclusively.  Featuring dyno-tested sealed engines, each car is identical in specification making the racing as close and as fair as possible for the competitors. Additional information about the series can be found on the race series website at http://www.mustangchallenge.com or you may contact Capaldi Racing for additional assistance. Ford Racing Mustang Challenge 2010-03-11T15:57:17-05:00 http://www.mustangchallenge.com/index.php/site/golinello_earns_rookie_honors_in_ford_racing_mustang_challenge_at_homestead/ http://www.mustangchallenge.com/index.php/site/golinello_earns_rookie_honors_in_ford_racing_mustang_challenge_at_homestead/#When:15:09:28Z HOMESTEAD, Fla.—Richard Golinello made his professional racing debut at Homestead-Miami Speedway last weekend, driving the No. 50 R&C Motorsports Mustang FR500S in the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge double-header. Golinello overcame a rocky start to walk away with a sixth-place finish and a Sunday Group Management “Rookie of the Race” Award.   Race one was held on Saturday, and in the opening laps Golinello worked his way up from ninth to fifth. Unfortunately, disaster struck just fifteen minutes into the race, when Golinello’s Mustang made contact with the wall in turn one. Golinello was fine, but his Mustang wasn’t: he and his crew were facing an all-night rebuild. Other teams might have given up, but the R&C Motorsports team was determined, even when they realized that the car could not be repaired on site. Instead, Golinello climbed behind the wheel of a Capaldi Racing Mustang for the second race on Sunday.   Golinello faced yet another setback on the first lap of the second Ford Racing Mustang Challenge race when he fell back with an underpowered car. The problem was a simple one—vapor lock—but pitting under green to vent the gas tank would result in the loss of valuable track positions.   Finally, Golinello got a break when a full-course caution came out on that first lap. He pitted and returned to the track down but far from out. He steadily worked his way through the field, crossing the finish line in sixth.   “I just wanted to get back in the saddle and do it after the crash on Saturday,” said Golinello. “I raced my race, and stayed focused and calm throughout. I just wanted to finish; that meant a lot to me.”   In addition to finishing—and finishing well—Golinello was also the top-performing rookie in the race. The honor earned him the Sunday Group Management “Rookie of the Race” Award.   For Golinello, the honor was as much about his determination as his finish. “We got to turn a few heads, and we got respect from the core of Ford Racing Mustang Challenge,” he said. “We stuck it out and found a way to get the job done. It proved to everyone that we’re serious about this and we’re here to stay.”   Aaron Povoledo normally works with Golinello as a driving coach, but at Homestead he wound up serving as an impromptu crew member after race one. “This was Richard’s first professional-level competition, and he had an incredible weekend, from the low of a crash to the high of receiving an award. This weekend really showed the depth of his character as well as the depth of his talent,” commented Povoledo.   The No. 50 R&C Motorsports Mustang will now head to Long Road Racing’s shop in North Carolina. Long Road Racing prepares the Mustang, and they will get it back into racing form in time for round two at Virginia International Raceway, which gets underway on April 24. Ford Racing Mustang Challenge 2010-03-09T15:09:28-05:00 http://www.mustangchallenge.com/index.php/site/von_kluge_wins_ford_racing_mustang_challenge_as_winkler_and_aweida_stage_ba/ http://www.mustangchallenge.com/index.php/site/von_kluge_wins_ford_racing_mustang_challenge_as_winkler_and_aweida_stage_ba/#When:20:59:07Z HOMESTEAD, Fla., 7 March – Everyone loves getting a new set of tires, but after this weekend, probably no one more than Ann Arbor, Michigan’s Jason von Kluge, who used the new-specification BFGoodrich g-Force R1 tire to excellent effect as he scored two convincing Ford Racing Mustang Challenge race victories at Homestead Miami Speedway to open the 2010 championship in strong style. Von Kluge was joined on the podium by pole-sitter Pratt Cole, with George Winkler emerging from a thrilling race with Dan Aweida to take third. “I definitely had to be patient, to get up there, get by Tony (Buffomante)  and then Pratt was running really well so I just took my time and reeled him in and used the draft through the banking and it worked out,” said von Kluge. “I needed this. It was a lot of fun! Pratt is a great driver, and he shares the race track well. He’s a good guy and this was a great weekend!” The race marked the first time the Mustang Challenge racers got to take the battle to the high-banks as the event utilized the “NASCAR 3 and 4” turns of the oval on the South Florida circuit. “This track, you have to be brave on one end, and patient on the other. It was better than yesterday, so we are going in the right direction,” said Cole. “It could be a lot worse—we are really happy to be up here on the podium.  We had a great set up for qualifying, and we were very strong in the first stages of the race, but obviously we have some work to do on our setup for the long run. Jason didn’t make any mistakes, and had a great drive so congratulations to him. I’ve never driven at VIR, so we will see how it goes out there!” There was no shortage of action throughout the field.  From the drop of the green flag Tony Buffomante in his No. 34 Mustang out-muscled eventual race winner von Kluge to take over second place.  Benefitting from his inside row-2 starting position, Buffomante positioned himself well through the first five turns to take full advantage into turn 6.  At the end of lap 1, Cole led  Buffomante, von Kluge, Steve Phillips and Dan Awieda in the Top-5. The race’s only caution came out on the very next lap when Robgert Bengoa spun to the inside of turn 1 and made contact with the wall, putting an early end to his day.  When the green flag flew again on lap 6 the fireworks started going off aplenty. Von Kluge came out of the final corner with a head of speed to draw alongside Buffomante into turns 1 and 2.  Side-by-side they went until von Kluge forced the issue in turn 3 to get by.  Meanwhile, George Winkler, starting from last after a morning mechanical ruled him out of qualifying, was clawing his way to the front. Cole was keeping some daylight between himself and a hard charging von Kluge, but he never managed to open up enough of a gap to negate the effects of the draft along the back straight through turns 3 and 4 of the oval and onto the front straight. Lap 13 began with Cole and von Kluge, taking full advantage of the draft, crossing the finish line door-to-door to begin the battle of the late-brakers.   von Kluge edged beneath Cole on the inside of turn 1, braking deeply into turn 2 in order to take the lead.  von Kluge would go on to grow his advantage at the head of the field.  While Cole didn’t have the pace to keep up with the lead, he had more than enough to secure second place.  For a few laps, Buffomante stalked Cole for third, but it wouldn’t last.  On lap 17 he went straight on at the run-off for turn 1 and found shelter to retire after issues cropped up with the Mustang’s rear end. Just past the halfway point, it appeared the race was to settle into steady rhythm for the run to the finish.  Apparently, George Winkler didn’t get the message.  He was coming like gang-busters and soon engaged Dan Aweida in an entertainingly epic duel for the final place on the podium. Over the next 12 laps, the duo would swap positions no less than seven times.  There was little to choose between the two on each lap as the pendulum swung wildly from one to the other.  They would go door-to-door through turns one and two.  They would duck and dive each other into the hard-braking turn 8 hairpin.  They would blaze a sling-shot trail around the oval portion.  It was unrelenting, and the only thing that could put an end to it was the checkered flag.  Winkler was ahead after their last exchange, but ultimately both racers would graciously and enthusiastically congratulate each other on a fair and hard fought battle.  Pity the podium only holds three spots. “Started from dead last and worked my way forward—I was a man on a mission!” said Winkler. “Came here this weekend with a whole new attitude, and very relaxed. Just my wife Kelli, and my son-just the three of us as the pit crew. I did get some help last night when we changed the clutch. I missed qualifying because we thought we broke something at the rear end so I had to start from the back. Just kept working at it and had to be patient. I lost my cool a couple times racing with Dan-but I got it back.” Aweida and Winkler have both been racing in the series since the first race at Road Atlanta in 2008, so were familiar fighters for the final podium position.  “I would have liked to finish on the podium,” said Aweida following a jovial high-five exchange with Winkler.  “But, that was good, clean, fun racing.  I made a slight mistake into turn 1 the on the last lap and that was all George needed.” “For once, this was a clean race between me and Dan!” joked Winker. “Dan and I have certainly been known to do some bumping and bruising, I’ve hit him, and he’s hit me before. But today was great. We didn’t trade any paint. It was really clean and a whole lot of fun today!” Special Awards: BF Goodrich Tires “Take Control” Award George Winkler will arrive at Virginia International Raceway with two new BFGoodrich g-Force R1 Tires to his credit after moving up from 10th on the grid to finish third. The result is his career-best Mustang Challenge finish, and netted him the BF Goodrich Tires “Take Control” Award as part of the podium ceremonies. Sunday Group Management “Rookie of the Race” Congratulations to Richard Golinello for taking the second Sunday Group Management “Rookie of the Race” Award, which will see $150 donated in his name to the Austin Hatcher Foundation after he recovered from a disappointing race one outing to jump into a Capaldi Racing Ford Mustang and score the highest finish of the three rookies in the race. “The Capaldi guys did a great job with the car—we had a few issues early, but everything was really good for the race. Better outcome than yesterday, thats for sure! It was a different set up than we had on my own car, but it was good in the race.” Round two of the 2010 Championship will be staged at Virginia International Raceway on April 24-5 as the series makes a debut race appearance on the rural Virginia race course as part of the GRAND-AM event weekend.  Ford Racing Mustang Challenge drivers and officials would like to thank the corner workers at Homestead Miami Speedway as well as Rick Ratajczak for stepping up to the mike on Sunday and managing the victory circle ceremonies. Ford Racing Mustang Challenge 2010-03-07T20:59:07-05:00 http://www.mustangchallenge.com/index.php/site/von_kluge_hangs_tough_to_grab_first_win_in_ford_racing_mustang_challenge/ http://www.mustangchallenge.com/index.php/site/von_kluge_hangs_tough_to_grab_first_win_in_ford_racing_mustang_challenge/#When:23:54:19Z HOMESTEAD, Fla., 6 March – It could have been a runaway win, but instead it turned into a nail-biter.  Jason von Kluge of Ann Arbor, Michigan led from the pole in today’s opening race of the 2010 Ford Racing Mustang Challenge at Homestead Miami Speedway to open a five-second margin over the field.  However, he would have to battle hard in the end to earn his first race win over a hard charging Tony Buffomante.  Dan Aweida finished in third. “I’m really happy—I wanted to get a good gap at the start and I was able to build up a lead, so that yellow flag was the last thing I wanted to see!” said von Kluge after stepping from the car in victory circle.  “He (Buffomante) got by me on the restart, but we had a good close race with Tony and I was glad I was able to get back by him for the win. I’m so excited to be up here today, and hopefully I can do this again tomorrow!“ On lap 14 of the 26 run, the No. 50 car driven by Richard Golinello made contact with the inside wall of turn 1.  He emerged unscathed, but unfortunately the same could not be said of his Mustang.  The incident brought out the full course yellow, quashing von Kluge’s solid advantage.  On the restart, at lap 18, Buffomante, of Naperville, Illinois, who had moved into second from his fourth place start in turn early on, attempted a similar maneuver for the lead.  On the following lap, he got the run he needed onto the front straight to draw alongside von Kluge.  von Kluge worked hard to hold him off, but made the slightest mistake, barely missing the apex of turn 1.  The error sent him just wide enough to open the door for Buffomante.  The pair went door-to-door through turns 2, 3 and 4 before Buffomante finally completed the pass in the turn 6-7 complex.  For the next three laps Buffomante was on the point with von Kluge in his shadow.  On each lap, von Kluge tried to get the run into turn 1, when finally, on lap 24, he got the draft he needed on the straight and went to the outside of Buffomante into turn 1.  Side-by-side through turns 2 and 3, von Kluge was perfectly positioned at turn 4, a right hander following three left turns, to be on the inside and finish the pass for the lead.  All that remained were three laps to the finish to seal the deal. “I’m pretty bummed right now to be honest.  When you get that close to tasting the win, it’s disappointing to not come away with it.  Still, congratulations to Jason and his crew.  They’ve been the class of the field this weekend and deserved the win,” said Buffomante with a smile despite his disappointment.  “Really, I should be too disappointed.  I haven’t driven the car since my last race in Chicago (last July), which I won, so we’ve had some catching up to do.  Once I got passed Jason, I had a lot of understeer, so I was a bit of sitting duck. I tried to keep him behind me as much as I could but he made an awesome move coming into turn 1.  Nonetheless, thank you very much to everyone at Capaldi Racing and to my dad.” Dan Awieda of Boulder, Colorado, took over the third position on the race’s fourth lap, benefitting from Pratt Cole sliding off track as a result of slow tire leak.  Despite pressure from George Winkler early in the race and then Zach Lutz at the end, Aweida never relinquished the final spot on the podium.  “I had a rough start this weekend with the old tires, but once I got on the new BF Goodrich BFG-R1 tires and they are phenomenal.  Qualifying was very tight, but fifth was okay as I like to be on the inside.  There was a lot of tight racing up ahead of me early on but a couple of guys ahead of me got into a bit of trouble and I was able to get passed.  From there, Zach Lutz gave me a bit of pressure from behind but I was able to fend him off,” said Aweida.  “We learned a few things today that will help us to hopefully qualify a couple of spots higher and finish better as well.” Zach Lutz of Lawrenceville, Georgia, finished in fourth overall.  For his effort, he was rewarded with the BF Goodrich Hard Charger of the Race Award worth a free set of tires.  Steve Phillips of Charlotte, North Carolina, rounded out the Top-5.  “The yellow flag really helped me because things were pretty spread out before then so when we went back to green, I was able to make up some positions—I had a really good battle going with Dan (Aweida) at the end, so It was a really fun day. It’s great to pick up some tires from BFGoodrich!” said Lutz after being recognized for his spirited race. Outside polesitter George Winkler, Frederick, Maryland,  recovered from a brief off track excursion to finish in sixth followed by Brad Adams, New Orleans, Louisiana, in seventh and John Scarlett, came home in eighth, for which he was awarded the Sunday Group Management “Rookie of the Race” award that will benefit the Austin Hatcher Foundation with a $150.00 donation in his name.  Graciously, Scarlett, a former physician matched the donation with a $150.00 contribution of his own. Robert Bengoa finished ninth followed by Pratt Cole in tenth, who came back after suffering an early tire puncture and Richard Golinello was classified in 11th.  The second race of the 2010 Ford Racing Mustang Challenge takes place here at Homestead Miami Speedway tomorrow, at 1:15 EST.  Ford Racing Mustang Challenge 2010-03-06T23:54:19-05:00 http://www.mustangchallenge.com/index.php/site/von_kluge_on_pole_in_ford_racing_mustang_challenge_race_1_at_miami_grand_pr/ http://www.mustangchallenge.com/index.php/site/von_kluge_on_pole_in_ford_racing_mustang_challenge_race_1_at_miami_grand_pr/#When:16:41:41Z HOMESTEAD, Fla., 6 March – Jason von Kluge of Ann Arbor, Mich. driving the No.19 JVK Motorsports Ford Mustang FR500S will lead the field into turn 1 in the opening round of Ford Racing Mustang Challenge at Homestead Miami Speedway.  Alongside is Frederick, Maryland’s George Winkler in the No. 12 Winkler Racing Mustang, with Pratt Cole of Salt Lake City, Utah in the No. 88 RP Motorsports entry rounding out the Top-3. Drawing on the experience of his first Mustang Challenge season in 2009, von Kluge, 30, opened the 2010 account with a strong qualifying performance.  By taking full advantage of the crisp morning air and a fresh set of BF Goodrich tires, he was the only driver to dip into the 1:28 sec bracket around speedway’s 2.3 mile combination oval-road course.  Officially, von Kluge stopped the clocks at 1:28.676 seconds, nine minutes into the 20-minute qualifying session.  Knowing that he had gotten the most he could from the tire’s “golden” lap, von Kluge parked his Mustang in pit lane and waited to see if anyone would better his time. “I’m excited for the race.  It’s my first pole in this series and in any professional race series.  We’ve got the car working well and I’m confident with it,” said von Kluge.  “That’s the way it goes with qualifying in this series in that you have to go out and get your time early in the session so I’m glad to be upfront.  Hopefully, this afternoon, I can run away from the front (of the field).” Outside front row starter George Winkler comes into the 2010 Mustang Challenge with a more simplified approach over last year.  He’s vowed to focus on his driving and not let engineering the car get in his way.  So far, so good.  Winkler let much of the field go out ahead of him to put a few laps in on the dew-dampened track before making his qualifying attempt.  Halfway into the session, he went out to lay down at lap at 1:29.440 seconds.  “This year the team is myself, my wife and my son.  I’m putting the emphasis on me and my driving and being more hands on to help keep my head in the game,” said Winkler.  “Now, I’m looking forward to a good, clean, smart run this afternoon.” Pratt Cole’s lap of 1:29.571 seconds stood as second best time for much of the session until he was just nudged down a spot by Winkler’s late session effort.  Nevertheless, Cole was content to have what may be the more advantageous inside position of the third spot on the grid.  Turns 1 and 2 at Homestead-Miami Speedway unfurl over a substantial distance as the cars veer off of the oval’s front straight onto the infield.  The lengthy brake zone before the tighter, left-hand turn 2 grants the cars on the inside more opportunity to force the cars on the outside to take a longer slower line before heading down the subsequent long straight.  “I’m happy to be on the inside for the start, so I’m not at all discouraged to lose the position.” said Cole. “I went out early to put down my lap and then got of out of the car. On these new 2010 spec BF Goodrich tires I could really feel the difference from last year.  They have a bit more bite, especially in turn 7, which was really sweet.  I don’t know what else I can say other than I’m ready to get back to racing.” Tony Buffomante and Dan Aweida rounded out the Top-5, who were all within two-tenths of a second of the outside pole.  Steve Phillips , Zach Lutz, Brad Adams, Richard Golinello, Robert Benoga and John Scarlett round out the field.  The hour-long Mustang Challenge Race 1 gets underway at 11:00 AM EST.  Qualifying for Race 2 and the second race of the weekend take place on Sunday. Ford Racing Mustang Challenge 2010-03-06T16:41:41-05:00 http://www.mustangchallenge.com/index.php/site/back_to_business_for_ford_racing_mustang_challenge_opener/ http://www.mustangchallenge.com/index.php/site/back_to_business_for_ford_racing_mustang_challenge_opener/#When:00:20:16Z HOMESTEAD, Fla, 5 Mar –  The first official day of on track activity for the 2010 Ford Racing Mustang Challenge Series at the Homestead Miami Speedway was business as usual.  The now tried-and-true Ford Mustang FR500S ran like clockwork, shaking the off-season cobwebs without any effort to allow drivers to get quickly back in the groove. Two thirty-minute practice sessions were the order of the day.  As most of the field opted to save their new BF Goodrich tires for the tomorrow’s qualifying and race, the quicker of the two sessions turned out to be the first one. Jason von Kluge led the way in both practice session, but there was little daylight behind him with the top-six drivers all within 1 second of his best time.  He stopped the clocks in 1:29.857 seconds after completing a 2.5-mile lap for an average speed of 88.541 MPH.  Pratt Cole was the second quickest on overall time at 1:29.892 seconds followed by Zach Lutz at 1:30.463 seconds. Dan Aweida was the big mover in practice session two.  He improved considerably over his position from the morning session, setting the second best time of the afternoon, exactly four tenths of a second behind von Kluge.  Lutz equalled his morning position, also finishing third in the afternoon practice.  Combined practice times: Car / Driver / Time / Session 19 / Jason von Kluge / 1:29.857 / 1 88 / Pratt Cole / 1:29.892 / 1 33 / Zach Lutz / 1:30.463 / 1 50 / Richard Golinello / 1:30.470 / 1 12 / George Winkler / 1:30.509 / 1 75 / Brad Adams / 1:30.630 / 1 17 / Dan Aweida / 1:30.871 / 2 34 / Tony Buffomante / 1:31:134 / 1 22 / Steve Phillips / 1:31.346 / 1 07 / Robert Benoga / 1:32.492 / 2 44 / John Scarlett / 1:34.226 / 1 The 20-minute qualifying race 1 for the first Ford racing Mustang Challenge race of 2010 gets underway at 8:00 AM EST, Saturday morning.  Race 1 is set to go green at 11:00 AM EST. Ford Racing Mustang Challenge 2010-03-06T00:20:16-05:00 http://www.mustangchallenge.com/index.php/site/bfgoodrich_tires_ride_of_your_life_returns_to_ford_racing_mustang_challenge/ http://www.mustangchallenge.com/index.php/site/bfgoodrich_tires_ride_of_your_life_returns_to_ford_racing_mustang_challenge/#When:23:16:35Z Enter at http://mustangchallenge.com/bfgcontest2010/ Tooele, UT—(2 March 2010) –  After a highly successful campaign in 2009, Ford Racing Mustang Challenge and BFGoodrich Tires officials are pleased to announce the launch of the 2010 “BFGoodrich Tires Ride of Your Life” Contest this weekend at Homestead Miami Speedway. The 2009 contest attracted over 10,000 entires, and this year’s prize package is sure to once again generate a lot of interest. BFGoodrich Tires is the “Official Tire” of Mustang Challenge, as well as the Ford Racing High Performance Driving School at Miller Motorsports Park, and will be providing two lucky winners with an incredible experience. By entering online at http://mustangchallenge.com/bfgcontest2010/, contest participants will also have the chance to win all year long. Every race weekend during the 2010 championship season, contest entrants will have the opportunity to win a set of 4 BF Goodrich Tires, with up to a value of $1200 per set. There will also be one very lucky grand prize winner, who will win a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the final race of the 2010 Mustang Challenge championship is staged at Milller Motorsports Park this September. The lucky winner will get a trip for two for the race weekend—including airfare, rental car and hotel. But it’s not just a plane ticket and a race seat, as the winner will also be fully immersed in a VIP experience, from being in on the drivers meetings, attending the awards banquet, to even waving the green flag to start the race. And if that won’t be enough, the two lucky visitors will also get to take in the one-day driving school in the Ford Racing High Performance Driving school.  The driving school uses the Ford Mustang as a rolling classroom as the students learn car control, vehicle dynamics, and emergency maneuvers, all while trying to keep from grinning. “They named the contest exactly right—it certainly was the ‘ride of my life!’ said last years winner Linda Wilson of Freeland, Washington. “All the folks at BFGoodrich Tires, Ford Racing Mustang Challenge group, and Miller Motorsports Park all make up a world-class premier organization that put this together and the new winner and guest are in for an unforgettably awesome experience. All the staff members treated us, not only as celebrities, but as family.  Great thought and planning went into every detail to make it the experience it was.  I take this opportunity to thank all of the Miller Motorsport Park, B. F. Goodrich, and the Ford Mustang Challenge group for this experience.  And of course,Thank you, Larry!” BFGoodrich has been a key partner for the Mustang Challenge since its debut season in 2008, providing the official tires for the series as well as supporting the drivers and teams with engineering staff on-event for every race. Ford Racing Mustang Challenge 2010-03-05T23:16:35-05:00 http://www.mustangchallenge.com/index.php/site/mustang_challenge_launches_sunday_group_management_rookie_of_the_race_to_be/ http://www.mustangchallenge.com/index.php/site/mustang_challenge_launches_sunday_group_management_rookie_of_the_race_to_be/#When:15:02:20Z Homestead FL—(5 March 2010) – As if there wasn’t enough for the new drivers in the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge to be racing for already, the newest members of the paddock will have a new honor to chase in 2010. And with the new award directly benefiting a worthy charity, the winners will have two reasons to feel good about it. Mustang Challenge officials announced on Friday the establishment of the Sunday Group Management “Rookie of the Race” Award. The Award, sponsored by Mustang Challenge media partner Sunday Group Management, will see Sunday Group Management donate $150 to the Austin Hatcher Foundation in the name of the best-finishing rookie driver in each of the 11 rounds of Mustang Challenge competition. The 2009 season saw the combined efforts of the series, its drivers, BFGoodrich Tires and Hurst Performance raise over $40,000 for the Austin Hatcher Foundation through the year. Drivers participated throughout the season in the Foundation’s diversionary therapy events designed to give families dealing with the effects of pediatric cancer a chance to escape the world of hospitals and doctors and create lasting memories together.  The drivers also visited local children’s hospitals in cities during the race season. “Our relationship with the Mustang Challenge has been a really gratifying one, and this new rookie award is just another new chapter in this partnership, so we are very pleased,” said Austin Hatcher Foundation co-founder Amy Jo Osborn. “I want to thank the drivers for their efforts, and we are looking forward to another successful year. Best of luck to all the rookies of course!” Three drivers will be eligible for the award this weekend as Roberto Bengoa, John “Chip” Scarlett, and Richard Golinello vie to be the first winner of the Sunday Group Management Rookie of the Race, and all three will get two chances as the series opens with a double-header.  “We are very proud of our relationship with the Austin Hatcher Foundation, and we’ve been amazed by how our drivers and partners have stepped up to help such an amazing cause,” said Mustang Challenge Series Director Lynda Randall. “To combine a new rookie award with something so dear to our hearts is really a win-win, and I am excited that Sunday Group Management has signed on to help make this happen.” The Austin Hatcher Foundation for a carefree childhood was formed in 2006 after Amy Jo and Jim Osborn lost their infant son Hatch to a rare form of pediatric cancer.  The foundation’s mission is to support research towards the diagnosis, treatment and development of a cure for pediatric cancer, and to provide support and hope to children and families undergoing treatment as well as those who have lost children due to cancer.  The foundation has developed a landmark group of programs and services essential to help cancer stricken children and their families function within their community. Sunday Group Management is based in Indianapolis with clients in GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series, Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, Star Mazda Championship, and NASCAR Sprint Cup competition as well as the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge.   For additional information: www.sundaymanagement.com, sundaygroupmanagement.blogspot.com, www.facebook.com/sundaygroup, or twitter.com/Sundaygroup Ford Racing Mustang Challenge 2010-03-05T15:02:20-05:00 http://www.mustangchallenge.com/index.php/site/2010_ford_racing_mustang_challenge_season_kicks_off_at_homestead_miami_spee/ http://www.mustangchallenge.com/index.php/site/2010_ford_racing_mustang_challenge_season_kicks_off_at_homestead_miami_spee/#When:18:30:30Z Tooele, UT—(2 March 2010) – The countdown is on as the 2010 Ford Racing Mustang Challenge season is set to take the green flag this Saturday when the championship launches with a double-header race weekend at Homestead Miami Speedway as part of the GRAND-AM Grand Prix of Miami event. Utilizing the Ford Mustang FR500S, the first-ever Ford production-line built race car, Mustang Challenge is sanctioned by GRAND-AM and is a support series to major professional road racing events across North America. 2010 is the third season of competition for Mustang Challenge, and the Homestead visit marks the second consecutive season for the series to open the year at the track. But in a new twist, this weekend will feature a whole new experience for the drivers as they take their Ford Mustang FR500S machines on the full 2.3-mile circuit, utilizing the oval section’s variable-rate high banked final corners for the first time in series history. The 2010 season will see the Mustang Challenge schedule grow once again, as it will now comprise 11 races, with drivers allowed to select their 10 best finishes of the year toward the championship.  Three double header events (Homestead, New Jersey Motorsports Park,  Miller Motorsports Park) will keep the racers busy as the series also visits some iconic new tracks including Watkins Glen International and Virginia International Raceway. “Starting our race season at Homestead is a perfect way for us to kick off the year,” said Mustang Challenge Series Director Lynda Randall.  “Our drivers are very excited about the chance to run on the banking this year, and having a double-header race weekend makes this a big start to the championship. We’ve got some new drivers joining us and that always adds to the anticipation for a new season, and we just can not wait to get everything started this weekend.” The two drivers who took Mustang Challenge race wins at Homestead in 2009—Ted Anthony Jr., and series Champion Andrew Caddell, have moved in the GRAND-AM family and are not expected to be racing in the Mustang Challenge event this weekend, giving a clear path for two new drivers to possibly make their names with wins at the South Florida facility. Every racer on the starting grid this weekend will be looking to get the championship off to a fast start with two strong results at Homestead. The south Florida event weekend will see the series welcoming several new drivers to the championship, including include Richard Golinello, Chip Scarlett, and Robert Bengoa. Golinello has exchanged his Ferrari Challenge machine for the fun of racing in the Mustang Challenge as the New Jersey resident is fully committed to his racing endeavors. “I never do things halfway,” says Golinello, who calls his team “R&C Racing” after his sons Richard and Christian. “I made up my mind to clear my schedule and do the whole series!” Bengoea will team with Rehagan Racing. The Puerto Rico resident scored two top-tens in Continental Tire Challenge competition driving a Ford Mustang for the team in 2009 and will look to put that Mustang experience to good use at Homestead. The third racer slated to make his Mustang Challenge debut at Homestead, Scarlett will be carrying the colors of http://www.racingtosavesharks.com for SpeedWorks R&D as he works to raise awareness for Shark Savers as part of his racing campaign. Scarlett is a physician, scientist, and entrepreneur who is one of several graduates of the Ford Racing Performance Training Center at Miller Motorsports Park participating in Mustang Challenge competition. While the new drivers look to make a strong first impression this weekend, there are many returning drivers and teams sporting that same ambition. Capaldi Racing has signed two drivers with Mustang Challenge experience for the 2010 season as two-time Mustang Challenge race winner Tony Buffomante joins the team alongside Isle of Palms, South Carolina’s Steve Phillips. “At times we’ve struggled on race weekends not having any other drivers or engineers to trade ideas with and compare data”, Buffomante said.  “Having the opportunity to do that, in addition to tapping into Capaldi’s experience with Fords and the series, gives me a very positive outlook on 2010.  We’ve already proved that we can win races, now it’s time to take that to the next level for a season-long run at the championship.” “I am extremely excited about our prospects for the 2010 Mustang Challenge Season with Capaldi Racing,” said Phillips, who began driving in 2007 after completing the 3-day Ford Racing High Performance Driving School at Miller Motorsports Park.  “The team’s knowledge of this race car (FR500S) and the talent that they bring to the track for support is of the highest caliber in our series.  And having Tony on board this year makes it even better.”  One of the very first racers to commit to the Mustang Challenge concept, former drag racer George Winkler, will be back in action at Homestead. Winkler, who has previously captured honors for his dedication and sportsmanship to the series, will look to continue his escalation in speed. Winkler has made good use of his FR500S, racing in multiple categories with the machine, and will surely relish the opportunity to get back to racing again this weekend. Two drivers who broke through to the podium ranks in 2009 should be key to keep an eye on as Dan Aweida and Jason von Kluge will also be back in action at Homestead and bring speed and experience to the starting grid. Georgia’s Zach Lutz will have a busy weekend, as he will not only be running the two rounds of Mustang Challenge competition, but he will also be racing in the Continental Tire event on Saturday afternoon as well. When the talk turns to veterans, it is impossible not to mention Utah’s Pratt Cole, who was on the very first Mustang Challenge podium in 2008, and will once again look for the top step in his Western Metals Transport machine for RP Motorsports, with teammate Brad Adams also returning to Mustang Challenge competition. Adams, who hails form New Orleans, considers every time he straps into the Ford Mustang FR500S a chance for a new racing highlight, and his consistent improvement and competitiveness demonstrate that race after race. The Grand Prix of Miami will kick off with a promoter test day on Thursday ahead of the official start to the 2010 season.  News and Notes: —Live Timing Returns in 2010, giving fans around the world the chance to tune in to http://www.mustangchallenge.com for live scoring information and pit notes throughout the race weekend. —Endurance Success At Daytona: The Ford Racing Mustang Challenge was well-represented at Daytona as the 2010 GRAND-AM season kicked off with the Rolex 24 At Daytona as well as the Fresh From Florida 200. The newly-named Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge saw several drivers, including two-time Champion Andrew Caddell, making the grade on the high banks to start the season. There was a new line added to former Mustang Challenge racer (and race winner) Terry Borcheller’s resume as he capped the weekend off with his second overall victory in the Rolex 24 At Daytona. —Championship format changes in 2010: The 2010 Ford Racing Mustang Challenge season will kick off at Homestead-Miami Speedway in March, and will feature a new wrinkle in the championship. Mustang Challenge officials have confirmed the final 2010 Ford Racing Mustang Challenge schedule, which will see the series feature three double-header race weekends and grow to an 11-race calendar. Grand Prix of Miami-Event Schedule: Friday, March 5 7:00 AM Garages Open 8:00 AM 8:30 AM Practice – Ford Racing Mustang Challenge 12:15 PM 1:15 PM Lunch 1:15 PM 1:45 PM Practice – Ford Racing Mustang Challenge 7:00 PM Garages Close       Saturday, March 6 7:00 AM Garages Open 8:00 AM 8:20 AM Qualifying – Ford Racing Mustang Challenge (Race #1) 11:00 AM 12:00 PM Race #1 – Ford Racing Mustang Challenge 1:05 PM START –Continental Tire Challenge Race (2.5 hrs) 5:00 PM START – Rolex Series Race (2.75 hrs) 10:00 PM Garages Close Sunday, March 7 8:00 AM Garages Open 10:00 AM 10:30 AM Practice – Ford Racing Mustang Challenge 11:20 AM 11:40 AM Qualifying – Ford Racing Mustang Challenge (Race #2) 1:15 PM 2:15 PM Race #2 – Ford Racing Mustang Challenge 5:00 PM Garages Close Ford Racing Mustang Challenge 2010-03-02T18:30:30-05:00 http://www.mustangchallenge.com/index.php/site/ford_racing_mustang_challenge_rookie_chip_scarlett_racing_to_save_his_life_/ http://www.mustangchallenge.com/index.php/site/ford_racing_mustang_challenge_rookie_chip_scarlett_racing_to_save_his_life_/#When:17:19:02Z Tooele, UT—(28 February 2010) – The season-opening Ford Racing Mustang Challenge races at Homestead Miami Speedway next weekend will see some new faces in the paddock as the series continues to attract new drivers to contest the 11-round championship season in 2010. One of the new racers will likely raise some eyebrows with the livery on his Ford Mustang FR500S, and his story is hard to ignore. Chip Scarlett, who was trained as a physician before moving into the business world with several engagements within the bio-technology and pharmaceutical industries, will be making his debut start in the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge when the series hits the high banks in South Florida as part of the GRAND-AM Miami Grand Prix. Like many in the Mustang Challenge, Scarlett is a graduate of the Ford Racing High Performance Driving Center at Miller Motorsports Park, and has already raced in several MPRA events. “The first time that I was in a race car, it was more challenging than I expected, and that really motivated me to pursue it,” said Scarlett. “I’ve really enjoyed the competitive aspects of it—not necessarily the dog, eat dog, of racing, but primarily with myself—pushing myself as far as I can, and then seeing where that has me stacking up.” After getting his first laps in, Scarlett decided to go full-force into the sport, working his way methodically through in preparation for his Mustang Challenge debut this weekend.  “After selling my last company, I had more time to work with and I decided that this was a good place to put my competitive energies,” said Scarlett. “I did a few racing schools, but what I liked first and foremost at the Miller School was that they had a program that was going to work with my longer term desire to go racing. I knew that I wanted to race a rear-wheel drive car, but I wanted something with more muscle than the Miata series, and wasn’t a Porsche guy and then looking beyond that, the Ferrari Challenge didn’t particularly interest me.  I found that with the Mustang Challenge, racing the FR500S has me getting my toe in serious racing, but in a car that is forgiving, and fun to drive.” The head-first effort to go racing follows another significant pursuit for Scarlett, who went from being a first-time driver to an expert underwater photographer after years of effort. Scarlett’s images (http://www.johnscarlett.com ), will also be published in two months in a book titled Loving Sharks. “For me, I have a personality type that really focuses on mastering things,” said Scarlett. “When I first started diving, I just wanted to master it and I was fortunate to have the opportunity to do that. Extending that pursuit by becoming as good as I could be with underwater photography was really gratifying to me.  It is the same thing I’ve done in business—become a student, worked very hard, and then tried to master it.  I hope that translates into racing. I want to be successful, which to me means doing well within my expectations and continuing to get better. Hopefully there is a podium in my future!” But Scarlett, who was trained as a physician before moving into the business world, isn’t just out to get faster. He’s also ambitious with his goal of raising awareness for a cause that might not seem obvious to many. The time he spent underwater didn’t just produce thousands of breathtaking images,  it also contributed to his tremendous respect and admiration for one of waters’ greatest predators, which find themselves increasingly at risk every day. “I am working with Shark Savers because they are taking the message to the consumers, rather than trying to influence governments or doing research,” said Scarlett. “They are taking the message to the people, and I want to be a part of that effort. Like most people, the first time that I saw a shark underwater, I was terrified. But over the space of many years, I learned that they are a graceful, amazing, but misunderstood animal. I’ve gone from seeing hundreds of sharks when I would dive years ago to the situation we are in now, where many divers go a lifetime without seeing sharks because we are killing them. I’m trained as a scientist, and this is a very bad thing to be losing them. You simply have to have top predators to keep ecosystems healthy.” While the ambition to preserve the ecosystem and save the sharks is a huge focus for Scarlett, the racing is also another opportunity for Scarlett to continue his pursuit of another sort—saving his own life.  Despite his medical training, and his work in bio technology, some two years ago Scarlett found himself facing a problem that plagues many—obesity and all the threats that that condition creates including diabetes. So Scarlett did something about it—going to Stanford and having gastric bypass surgery performed. He lost 100 pounds, and credits the procedure and his new lifestyle for “giving me back my life.” “Had I not had the focus on the sharks, I would have probably never had the surgery…but I did, and it allowed me to get back in the water,” said Scarlett. “So I feel as though as much as I’m trying to save the lives of sharks, I am just returning the favor as they’ve already saved my life. And without that happening, I’d have never in a million years been able to think about doing anything like going racing.” Scarlett will get to move closer to his pursuit this weekend when the green flag flies on race one of the double header race weekend. Ford Racing Mustang Challenge 2010-02-28T17:19:02-05:00