RACE: World Speed Motorsports news 2008-10-08

World Speed Clinches Star Mazda Series Expert Championship
Chris Cumming crowned champion with 2 races to go

Driving the #16 Inviro Medical Pro Formula Mazda, World Speed Motorsports' Chris Cumming took the Road Atlanta circuit during the Petit Le Mans weekend as the newly crowned Expert Class champion for the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear after recording his seventh class victory of the season at New Jersey Motorsports Park. A late race tangle with a competitor would thwart his bid for class victory number eight but couldn't stop his enthusiasm at winning the title.

"This has been an incredible season. I came into the season hoping to run well and to be able to clinch the championship with two races left and to have a shot at the top ten overall in points is awesome," revealed the Vancouver, British Columbia based driver.

"Everybody at World Speed Motorsports has been at the top of their game from the beginning of the season and I need to thank them for all their hard work in getting me to this place. It is an incredible feeling to come into a series as competitive as this and to know that you have a shot at climbing the podium."

Cumming, who joined the World Speed Motorsports stable in 2006, has earned his second championship in two seasons with the team, capturing the 2007 Star Mazda West Coast Series Championship in a shootout with Patrick O'Neill. "Chris has been working hard all year, and really made some marked improvements," stated Team Owner Telo Stewart. "We are very proud of him and excited for his second championship in as many years."

Chris' Standing Start coach Mikel Miller had this to add, "Chris is really starting to take a close analytical look at what he needs to do to improve, and he is implementing what he learns session by session. Taking the time to pour over data and videos can be tedious but when you see the results the very next session you begin to see it is time well spent." Cumming has one remaining chance to add to his victory total before the 2008 championship comes to a close when the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear heads to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on October 16-18.

Taylor Hacquard Solidly in the Top Ten in Atlanta
Series rookie gets 8th place points and retains top ten in overall points

Battling at another new circuit, World Speed Motorsports' rookie standout Taylor Hacquard survived contact from behind and two caution flag periods to record an eighth place finish at the challenging Road Atlanta circuit in Round Eleven of the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear.

Driving the #15 Wolfe Auto Group Pro Formula Mazda, Hacquard secured his grip in the top-ten overall as the season heads towards the finale at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca with his eighth top-ten finish of the season in a hotly contested 25-lap event.

"I knew a top-five and potentially a podium was on the cards," stated Taylor. "I was learning all weekend long, continuing to improve so I felt a strong result was possible. Once I was hit I just put my head down to bring the car home and at least I've moved up in the driver standings. I dealt with adversity and my confidence is pretty high now moving on to Laguna Seca - a track I do have some experience at which hopefully bodes well for me."

Just several hours south of their Infineon Raceway headquarters, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca has featured prominently with World Speed Motorsports, with Grant Ryley and Scott Bradley both picking up Star Mazda Championship victories at the circuit. The track also witnessed Bradley and Adrian Carrio locking up the 2001 and 2006 Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear driver titles respectively.

The 2008 championship comes to a close when the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear heads to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on October 16-18.

Another Championship is On The Line
World Speed Drivers leading SCCA Formula Atlantic Championship

World Speed driver Sean Prewett was leading the SCCA Formula Atlantic Championship as the team packed up for Mazda Raceway to contest the October 3rd-5th double header.

Prewett's weekend didn't go exactly as planned, and while he did leave the weekend with points, he gave up his lead to his teammate Kevin Woods. Woods who was sporting a new livery for this event finished 2nd in class in both races to score some much needed points.

"The final tally hasn't been officially released by the SCCA yet, but we believe that we have the top three positions in the championship with Kevin Woods, Sean Prewett, and Vince Gaddini," stated WSM Operations Manager Mark Milazzo. "We are testing three cars here at Infineon Raceway the 15th and 16th, racing four cars at Mazda Raceway the 16th through the 18th at the Star finale, and then we head straight back to the shop to get four cars packed up for the SCCA finale at Thunderhill the following weekend. That will be one exciting week!"

The SFR SCCA Regional Championships will be decided at Thunderhill October 24th-26th.

-credit: wsm