FCS: Sears Point race notes

BUCHWALD DOMINATES FERRARI CHALLENGE AT INFINEON RACEWAY

(SONOMA, CA, May 15) Kurt Buchwald totally dominated the second round of the 2006 Ferrari Challenge. The Ferrari of Washington driver took pole position and led every lap in both races at Infineon Raceway this weekend. The Challenge races were part of the track's Ferrari Racing Event. With the pair of wins Buchwald takes the lead in the 2006 Ferrari Challenge Championship.

Buchwald qualified his Ferrari 430 Challenge on pole position with a new track record for the 2.53 mile course, and a two second margin over Ferrari of Beverly Hills' John Horejsi, who shared the front row for the first race. Horejsi, the Auto Gallery teammates Rusty West and Steve Goldman, John Krieg (Ferrari of Houston), Allie Ash (Buchwald's teammate) and Joel Quaid (Ferrari of Orange County) swapped positions behind Buchwald for most of the race. Goldman moved into second and held the spot, but late in the 30 minute race Lawrence Stroll, driving for Ferrari of Quebec, moved up from his 11th starting spot to take third place from Quaid in the 430 race.

The older Ferrari 360 Challenge cars were competing as well, and while Steve Pruitt, another Ferrari of Washington driver, qualified on pole Mike Louli (Ferrari of Ontario) took the 360 lead early in the first lap. Pruitt held second until near the end when an incident cost him the spot. Alex Quaid (Ferrari of Orange County) came from last on the grid to finish second on the 360 podium, with Pruitt holding on for third. Quaid is the son of 430 Challenge racer Joel Quaid.

Buchwald's win in the first race gave him pole position for Sunday's race, and he took full advantage by leading every lap for the win. Goldman maintained second place until late in the race when Stroll passed, but the Quebec driver almost immediately suffered electrical problems, dropping him out of the race. Ash, Krieg, Horesji, Joel Quaid, and defending Ferrari Challenge Champion Emmanuel Anassis (who had not raced on Saturday and started on the last row of the grid) fought over the last podium spot after Stroll's retirement, with Quaid finally taking the third place trophy.

Louli again led every lap in the 360 Class, with Pruitt moving into second early in the race. Alex Quaid was slowed with mechanical problems, but was able to finish on the podium, ahead of Jimmy Pugliese and Mandy Reimert.

Special awards were presented by Bose and Ferrari North America to Anassis, Neil Fairman, and Steve Winfield. During the event each had in some way exemplified the spirit of the Ferrari Challenge.

The Ferrari Challenge is organized by Ferrari North America. Drivers compete in specially built racing versions of the Ferrari 430 and 360 Modena, with preparation and race support handled by teams formed by authorized Ferrari dealers in North America. Preparation rules are very specific, and the series is intended to emphasize driver skill among lady and gentleman drivers. Sponsorship and support for the series comes from Motorola, Bose, Piaggio Aero, Pirelli, and Shell.

The Challenge will next compete at Le Circuit at Mont-Tremblant on June 16-18, and then one week later will serve as the support race for the 2006 Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal.

-fcs-