CAN F2000: Mid-season review

Sunoco Ultra 94 team wins three of four races
Chiovitti, Holtom and Launi all score wins during second weekend

TORONTO, ONTARIO -- The 'mid season' four rounds of the 2004 Bridgestone/FormulaCar Magazine F2000 Racing Series are now complete, and for Sunoco Ultra 94 team members it was a good weekend with each of the three drivers, Innisfil's Frank Launi, Sutton's Juliana Chiovitti and Carp's Jamie Holtom all winning one race on the weekend.

Friday's wet race saw Launi take the pole, with Chiovitti in third and Holtom fourth. Launi took the early lead until his Reynard's engine sputtered with just a few laps to go. At the same time, Chiovitti took second place, which then became the lead when Launi had his problems. "That was tough," Launi said. "I was on cruise control, taking care of the car and the engine just quit -- it wouldn't rev over 3000. Then it fixed itself and off I went but it was too late."

Chiovitti was happy with the win. "It is a good way to start off the weekend." Holtom retired at mid race from third with a broken gearshift linkage.

Saturday had two races and Holtom took charge in the morning by taking the pole and cruising home to a dominant victory. "After yesterday, this is a good result. I am happy to get my first win out of the way." Launi was third before executing a dramatic pass for second. "I had a bit of a lunge at second and then I was able to hold on. I take this one." Chiovitti finished fourth.

In the afternoon, the Sunoco Ultra 94 team drivers lined up second through fourth -- Holtom, Chiovitti and Launi. Chiovitti finished second, Launi third and Holtom was fourth.

Sunday's final race saw Holtom take the pole and quickest race lap, but the win went to teammate Launi. Holtom's race got worse when a fuel pickup problem slowed his pace -- he ended up fourth. Chiovitti came home second.

Sunoco Team Ultra 94 fast facts;

The Sunoco Team Ultra 94 drivers are chosen from over 300 drivers in the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship Presented by Toronto Star Wheels. Out of the 300 drivers, eight are invited to the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship Evaluation Day, and from those ten, three are invited to join the team. The selected drivers are given a fully funded scholarship to compete in the Bridgestone/FormulaCar Magazine F2000 series.

In 2003, inaugural team members Matt Champagne and Jordy Vorrath finished one-two in the series, with Vorrath taking the 'most poles' award. Aaron de Heus came home fifth in the 2003 championship.

The 2004 members are 2003 Formula Senior Champion Juliana Chiovitti, multi-time Formula Senior race winner Frank Launi and consistent RotaxMax Senior front runner Jamie Holtom.

-bond-