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Bumgarners make show in international scene
Written by Staff   
Saturday, 12 July 2008 23:55

Racing siblings Michele and Mark Bumgarner made big strides in the international scene following their marked improvements in separate races in the United States and Canada last month.

Both Michele and Mark unveiled impressive performances in their respective events that kept them on track of their dream of making it big in formula racing.

Michele, the two-time Asian Karting Queen, unveiled great progress in the Star Mazda Series at Watkins Glen Circuit in New York where her improvement after only three races impressed a lot of race officials including her team owner John Walko.

The red flag track conditions made it difficult for Michele who never got the opportunity for a personal fast lap and ended 19th in the qualifying round. But she came as the second best driver for improving positions during the race as she pulled off a good start passing one driver after another despite a slipping clutch in the sixth lap.

With a fast laptime of 1:49.490, she moved up to 11th even though the uphill portions of the track slowed her down and was about to strike for 10th place with two laps to go when a mechanical problem beyond her control dropped her down to a 19th place finish among 23 entries.

"She was just awesome with her driving and if not for the mechanical issues, she would have been in the top 10 for sure," Walko was quoted as saying.

Mark also had an impressive run at the Skip Barbers National Series at the Mosport track outside of Toronto, Canada.

Adjusting quickly to the new track, Mark managed to move up to third during the practice before qualifying ninth.

In the race proper, he raced well keeping himself on pace with the main pack of frontrunners finishing eighth with a time of 23:34.550.

But in the second race he had an unavoidable collision with a car that spun directly in front of him and was forced out.

"It was a different experience. We had a good progression and at the same time, we were able to identify some weaknesses that have to be worked on going forward to the next race in Alabama on July 17-20," Mark who’s now 10th overall in the series with 100 points, said.

"It made us realize that motorsports career is a constant evolution with goals to achieve each time you go on track. It’s a never ending process as each level offers new challenges and experiences as we move on striving harder in our goal as prominent Filipino drivers in the international scene," said Michele, who’s extending an open invitation to all Filipinos to watch her next race in Portland, Oregon on July 24-27.

Michele and Mark Bumgarner, backed up by Petron XCS, Spectrum-OSO Asia, Department of Tourism, Molecule, City Kart Racing, Oakley and Goodyear, recently partnered with the Philippine Eagle Foundation to offer their assistance with increasing the awareness campaign for the issues and concerns facing the Philippine Eagle’s overall survival through their high-profile Motorsports activities locally and abroad.
 
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