Final US Majors Tour Rounds

July 5^th, 2016 (Portland, OR) – The final rounds of the SCCA US Majors Tour Western Conference Division were held on July 1^st – 3^rd at Portland International Raceway. With help from Toyota of Olympia, the GRR Racing Scion FRS was ready for battle with a replacement transmission installed after the struggles faced at the Pacific Raceways event a few weeks back.

“We have been fighting issue after issue this year, at each race, and, as a team, we are learning and accomplishing more as we defeat each challenge. Our lap times are an indication of how much we have improved and overcome the struggles. We are looking forward to a successful weekend as we end the 2016 Majors Tour season,” stated Crew Chief Anthony Philleo.

Abbate qualified P2 on Friday and Saturday, but was not feeling confident in the tires or the brakes. “It is hard to push to the limit when you are not confident in the brakes of your car,” Abbate shared. “We have been struggling with an inconsistent pedal for more races than I would like to admit, and now it’s more frustrating than anything else,” Michele stated. In addition, the car was extremely loose, after a phone call with sponsor AST Suspension and a few chassis tweaks, the team knew the tires were the next step. After receiving some unexpected financial help from team mate Tim Adolphson, the team purchased a brand new set of Hoosier’s before Saturday’s first race.

It was an adrenaline packed field, and as the front of the pack reached turn one of lap one, insanity ensued. A viper barreled down the front straight collecting 3 different cars before the exit of the chicane. The track ultimately when to a full black flag course and all the remaining cars were brought to the pits for track clean up. The mess took longer than 25 minutes for clean up and the race was cancelled. The SCCA race director announced that Sunday would hold two races, one at 9am and the other at 11:10am. “This truly worked out in our favor,” Anthony said, “We were able to heat cycle our new tires for the first couple laps and now they will cure in time for the morning races”.

Sunday’s first race offered the same inconsistent brake pedal, even with the new Porterfield pads, although, the tires were a major improvement. Finishing race 1 with a P2 finish, Abbate came to the pits determined to figure out what the issue was with the brakes.

With some inspection and the hand of fellow Toyota crew member DeAngelo Hayes, together the team diagnosed the front caliper was not retracting properly, effectively dragging the brakes, and not allowing for maximum performance. With no spares in the trailer, chances of repair were slim to none… until Michele noticed a stock FRS parked in front of the GRR Racing team pit… where the workers kept their vehicles.

After asking for the owner, Michele met Erin Wilson, for the first time… with time running out, Erin agreed to allow the team to borrow her front left caliper for the final race of the season. “Honestly, if I were her, I don’t know if I would have done the same, but, Erin has definitely inspired me as a person and I am forever grateful – Thank you Erin!” Michele exclaimed.

In less than 10 minutes the team worked together to swap the calipers and head to grid for Race 2. On the warm up lap, Abbate had radio’d in to the team that the brakes had already felt 100 times better. With confidence instilled in the entire time, the fire and passion to win hadn’t been this strong in a long while.

The field took the green and thankfully everyone made it through the chicane safely. Abbate was right on the tail of 1^st place, just 0.2 off the best time. Just as the pace of the race began to settle in, there was another wreck involving one of the Ferrari’s in the group. The caution came out for over 10 minutes, and Abbate was ready to give it her best effort in anticipation of the green flag. “I knew I had a chance, but I needed to stay smart, patient, and consistent”, said Abbate. As the group came down the front straight and taking the green flag Abbate was in hot pursuit, until the chicane… “With nothing but brakes lights ahead, Michele had a quick choice to make, plow into traffic ahead, or cut the course to avoid contact and salvage the corner”, Anthony expressed. Choosing the latter, Abbate had to take the stop/go penalty on the exit of the chicane, causing her to lose a few positions. “It was frustrating and heartbreaking, I gave it my all during the remainder of the race”, Michele said. Abbate fell victim of the front lower control arm ball joint failing, and taking her out of the race with 4 laps to go.

With the results of the weekend Michele Abbate finished 2^nd place overall for the 2016 US Majors Tour Western Conference Division out of the 11 STU entrants and is currently sitting 2^nd place for the Nationwide overall points with over 55 entrants. The team is excited to begin the engine build for the 2017 season, as well as attending several more events throughout the 2016 year.

“We are so thankful for all the support we have received throughout the 2016 season, thank you to all of our sponsors”, Michele mentioned. In addition to motorsports products, the GRR Racing team has support from many other types of companies and businesses, including Scosche Industries. “This weekend I wore my Scosche Rhythm+ armband, usually worn at the gym, to track my heart rate and calorie burn during the races. Turns out my peak heart rate was 159 in race 2, and I burn over 650 calories in a 25 minute race!” Abbate shared. You can get 15% off all Scosche products at www.Scosche.com with coupon code ABBATE30. Michele also has coupon codes at the following websites:

www.SeibonCarbon.com ABBATE30

www.FuelSafe.com ABBATE30

www.heatwavevisual.com m1cheleabbate

www.Mishimoto.com ABBATE30

Our next events will be this weekend at The Ridge Motorsports Park for the We’ve Got 86 Event in Shelton Washington! More information can be found at: www.M1cheleAbbate.com/wevegot86