YMMT

Abbate's Scion FRS runs a Seibon Carbon FA-style hood, 10mm wide fenders, and OEM style trunk. Photo credit: Richard Pochop.

Rounds 7 and 8 of the SCCA US Majors Tour Western Conference Division were held at Buttonwillow Raceway over this past weekend.  Michele and the team went into the weekend sitting in 2nd place for the STU class, trailing the leader by just 12 points.  Knowing this would be a benchmark event for the season, much preparation went into the prior weeks.

Friday offered one practice and qualifying session for the STU class. With temperatures reaching over 90 degrees, it was the first time the team had faced the summer heat.  With oil and water temps on the rise, Abbate looked to save the car to lay a fast lap down on Saturday’s mid-morning qualifying session after only reaching a fast time of 2:10 during the afternoon.
Saturday’s qualifying offered much better track temperatures and Michele put down a very competitive 2:07.9 placing her in 2nd on the STU grid!  “I was actually surprised at how much time I was able to shave off during Saturday’s qualifying.  I didn’t think I could get much faster than my 2:10, but the car felt really good and the temps were spot on, it was an awesome combination!” Abbate stated

Abbate lost a position off the start of the race, but was able to overtake her competitor as she made a quick clean pass as she entered Phil Hill.  “I knew I had to get around him quick and our FR-S is very strong in the corners and that is where I made my pass”.  Her 2nd place finish landed the team on the podium for Saturday and secured her 2nd place starting spot for Sunday’s race.

Thankfully, the weather let up a little and temperatures dropped for the main race on Sunday.  Starting 2nd on grid with a fantastic start, Michele was able to hold her position consistently the entire race. These two finishes have earned Michele the #1 spot in both the regional Western Conference series as well as the National leader of STU points.
There are two more Western Conference races left to pursue the overall win!

Full story on Michele’s win here.

Michele Abbate’s FRS runs a Seibon Carbon FA-style hoodfenders (10mm wide), and OEM-style trunk.

Rounds 7 and 8 of the SCCA US Majors Tour Western Conference Division were held at Buttonwillow Raceway over this past weekend.  Michele and the team went into the weekend sitting in…

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