Abbate Extends SCCA US Majors Lead with Win
Abbate in the lead for SCCA US Majors Tour at Pacific Raceways. Photo by: Eric Gearhart
Memorial Day May 25th, 2015 – The 9th and 10th rounds of the SCCA US Majors Tour was held in the Northwest at Pacific Raceways in Kent, WA during Memorial Day Weekend. Initially, at the beginning of the year, the team assumed they would not be attending this event due to budget and costs – but with the help from Toyota of Olympia and Nameless Performance, attending was the only option, especially after taking the lead in both regional and national points.
Saturday May 23rd offered the only practice session for the weekend, and it was a wet one. “This track is pretty awesome; just enough of everything, sweepers, technical hairpins, and turns without a lot of run off – I’m excited to learn it quickly, but really hope it dries up fast.” Michele stated. Thankfully, by Saturday’s qualifying session, the rain had stopped and the track was just damp enough to allow for our Hoosier tires to gain the grip they needed. Abbate qualified 2nd in STU for Sunday’s race with a 1:41.9, a large improvement from the previous 1:43.9. Crew Chief Anthony Philleo said, “We were only able to lay down 2 flying laps for qualifying due to a B-Spec car losing control and actually rolling after hitting a hill just in front of Michele”.
Kent, WA offered some damp weather at the start of the Majors Tour event. Photo by: Eric Gearhart
Saturday’s race was livestreamed with Racer Connect via www.RaceCast.me and the replay from the race can be found at: https://youtu.be/TGUWM6CMvHU
Taking the green flag in 2nd place for STU, Michele had no idea what this race would bring. A new-comer to the SCCA Majors Tour STU class for the year, Lance Stewart, offered a very defensive line throughout the race. Teaming up with Oscar Jackson by drafting and blocking, it made for a very interesting outcome. Michele fought her way from 2 spins to the front of the pack, but came out with a 3rd place when the checked flag was thrown. “I gave it my all, but unfortunately my 2nd spin was the nail in the coffin, I was catching them again, but ran out of laps to recover my position – better luck tomorrow”, Abbate said keeping her chin up. “We have an absolutely amazing handling car, and you can tell by the videos, we are faster and we can out drive these guys, tomorrow we’ll show a difference side of us, because we are here to win.” stated Anthony.
Michele set the fastest lap of the class in Sunday’s race, with a 1:38.6 placing her on pole for Monday’s main event race. Lining up as the fastest full size car in the group, Michele was looking forward to the 40 minute race. “It is obvious we are faster, but you have to be smart when racing against overly defensive drivers, today I will do my best to keep my head cool and strategize my moves”, Abbate shares.
Monday’s in-car livestream, brought to you by Racer Connect can be found at: https://youtu.be/6WCDOyhMFn8
Abbate uses the bump draft technique on her defensive competitor. Photo by: Eric Gearhart
Putting up a fight the entire race, with bump drafting, contact, and even two more spins Michele completely put her heart and her mind into every lap of that race. After losing her lead position with 4 laps to go, Michele and Anthony used the clock to work with them. Abbate kept Stewart in front of her and under pressure until the white flag was thrown. In the last minute of the final lap Abbate made her move with a very clean pass into a slight braking zone where she knew her Scion FR-S could out run the Mustang. As Abbate came to the front straight the fans, corner workers, and flaggers were all cheering her on past the checkered flag. “It was absolutely incredible. I radioed into Anthony just before turn 3a, saying I wasn’t sure if I could get it done” and he stated, “Do your best”. “I put my head down and said to myself, ‘this is where I need to be the smartest I can be”. Taking advantage of the corners on track where she could carry more momentum, Abbate set up Stewart and ever so slowly inched by him as they entered a braking zone where he needed to use a bit more brake, just where Abbate took the lead.
It was an incredible fight and a huge victory for the team. There was phenomenal support that was received from Toyota of Olympia, Driveway Labs, Nameless Performance, Eric Gearhart, Jon Bodwell, as well as many Northwest fans that came by to show their support. “We are so grateful for this season and the support we have received. To think we are only here because of the support we received in January from my Dark Horse Pros campaign makes me beyond humbled to announce our lead in points. I am so thankful for the opportunities I have been given and I am proud of our team and the results we’ve delivered. To win on Memorial Day is the perfect match for our American inspired livery – it’s because of those who fight and have committed to making the ultimate sacrifice, that we can be free. God Bless the USA.” Michele said smiling from ear to ear.
Michele Abbate racing in the lead with her 2013 Scion FR-S. Photo by: Eric Gearhart
The team’s next event will be at Portland International Raceway on 4th of July weekend. This will be the season ender for the 2015 SCCA US Majors Tour Western Conference Division. If you’re in the area be sure to check out the races, and if not, don’t forget to tune into www.racecast.me and view the livestream during the races! As always, special thank you to all of our sponsors who have helped us get on the podium and stay there all season long.