Abbate to Join Two Car GT-1 Program for 2017 SCCA US Majors Tour

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—Dec. 2nd, 2016 (Las Vegas, NV) — With the 2017 season just a month away, 2015 SCCA STU Champion winning driver Michele Abbate is set to drive the #30 Chevrolet SS 363 V8 Craig Raudman Racing Victory Circle Zitovault Software, Proficio Singapore GT-1 car for the 2017 SCCA US Majors Tour Western Conference Division Series. Abbate will be teammate to Tim Adolphson, driver and team owner of the #88 Craig Raudman Racing Victory Circle that debuted in 2016, and finished 2nd overall. With only 6 starts, 4 podium finishes, and 2 wins in GT-1 by Adolphson in 2016, Adolphson and Abbate have their eyes set on the 2017 National Run-Offs at Indy.

“I am confident in every single person that is a part of our team effort. From our crew to my new teammate, we will make a statement every time we’re at the track”, states Tim Adolphson. The two car program will be supported by Zitovault Software and Proficio Singapore. Craig Raudman of Craig Raudman Racing will continue as Crew Chief while maintaining the two cars. Abbate’s Crew Chief, Anthony Philleo, will assist in the team efforts for both drivers as they take to the track. Both Chevrolet 363 V8 motors will be built by Brad Peters of Peters Racing Engines, and the power will get to the ground by the G-Force GSR transmissions, which are built and maintained by Bubba’s Gears and Trans.

Both drivers, Adolphson and Abbate, will be coached by championship winning driver Alex Schutte. Schutte has experience in all types of motorsports, including NASCAR K&N Pro Series, Sprint cars, road racing, and dirt midgets. “I am so grateful to be part of such a top-notch team and to be moving into this road racing platform. My dream is to race in Trans-Am and this is exactly where I need to be; this car is an equivalent to a T-1 Trans Am car. We are surrounded by the best of the best, and 2017 is looking to be an absolutely promising year,” Abbate shares with excitement.

Stay tuned for more updates from the team. The #30 GT-1 car is in it’s early stages of the build process, but Craig Raudman and the team are no strangers when it comes to building world class race cars. Tim and the team have already completed their first 2017 shake down testing at Fontana and look forward to continuing progress in the next few weeks. Abbate is scheduled to make her debut March 11-12 at Willow Springs Raceway in the SCCA US Majors Tours Western Conference Division event.