Kyle Marcelli victorious at Road America

Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin (August 4^th 2008) Barrie native, Kyle Marcelli continues to impress on the international level as he leaves the famous Road America course emerging victorious in round nine and again becoming the only driver to be on the podium both days in the competitive US F2000 Championship Series.

 

Marcelli arrived at the track Wednesday for set-up and was able to get his first impressions of the fast course. Thursday morning was a four hour open test session. Marcelli quickly adapted to the 4.5 mile track, which allowed the team to tackle the cars balance right away. Unfortunately Marcelli and the team were forced to sit out about 2 hours due to fuel issues.

 

Friday testing ended on a high note as Marcelli put his BGR Van Diemen P2 on the time sheets.

 

Round nine approached. The team made a few minor aero adjustments to the car then took to the track for qualifying. Marcelli confident and ready had some traffic to get through early in the session before he was able to get some clear laps eventually posting times quick enough to start round nine from P3.

 

After some debriefing with BGR’s race engineer Ian McPhearson, Marcelli lined up to take the green. As the flag dropped, 40 plus cars roared across the stripe. Marcelli quickly pounced taking full advantage of a first corner incident to capture the lead exiting turn one. From there Marcelli never looked back. After multiple full course yellows Marcelli emerged victorious for the first round of the double header.

 

Race two on Sunday proved to be fast pace. In qualifying, Marcelli put his BGR prepared 2-litre Zetec on the front row beside local Wisconsin driver Nikki Coello. Taking the green flag Marcelli quickly slotted into P2, with the leaders quickly establishing a gap over the field a full course caution appeared. After two laps of caution the race resumed. Marcelli up to speed again right away raced fast, clean, consistent laps eventually crossing the stripe P2 only 1.04 seconds from the win.

 

“Overall Road America was a very successful weekend for myself and the Brian Graham Racing team. Winning Saturday’s race and again being on the podium Sunday scored us with great points for the championship. Consistency is going to continue to be important for us going into the last few rounds. I want to thank Brian, Matt and Ian for giving me such a great car all weekend.” Says Marcelli

 

Marcelli’s next stop is at Mosport International Raceway August 21^st to 24^th with ALMS. After Road Atlanta’s disappointment Marcelli has battled back and is currently 2^nd in the championship hunt.

 

Marcelli would like to thank his sponsors Rob Braden of Braden Drywall, Lafarge, Barrie Trim and Mouldings, GP Masonry and Landscaping Supplies, Trudel Roofing, PFAFF, Alpinestars, The Robert Simpson Brewery, Brown Windows, MG Homes, Mullins Pub, MMG Trading, Simcoe Building Center, RE/MAX Barrie, Stif Creative Works and Canadian Tire Barrie South.

 

For more info, visit Kyle at: www.kylemarcelli.com