Star Mazda: Sebring Race Results
Furfari 8th, Ostella 13th

Sebring, Florida (2010.03.19) "We had a great race", was the immediate response for AIM's Keith Willis when we called to check in this afternoon following the season's first race in the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear. After seeing the results that had Michael (Furfari) moving up five spots to finish eighth but also showed David (Ostella) dropping eight spots, we were looking for some clarification.

"David has a fantastic race and was quick right from the start", commented Willis."He made some quick moves at the start, was sitting second at one point over over the first six or seven laps was in definite podium contention. Unfortunately, David started to experience some oversteer and it became a battle with the car rather than other driver. David fell off a few spots but was still solidly in the top five." Willis continued, "There was a caution and during that period we talked with David on the radio to try a few changes in the car and also to encourage him after such a great start. On the restart though, David got a bit too deep in one corner and with cold tires, he had a spin. But he kept the car going and quickly rejoined the race although he would lose a number of spots. This is a pretty tight field and it is difficult to make up ground so David just put his head down and stayed on the lead lap to complete the race. Everyone is happy with his run today and David showed early that he is capable of running up front."

Furfari meanwhile, appeared to have found something in the setup that he liked.

"Michael was on the attack right from the green flag", said Willis. "He was very calculated and showed real maturity as he paced himself and picked off cars every lap until he was running as high as seventh. After the caution, Michael just stuck with it and was in a great battle for fifth through eighth and had it worked out, we know he could have finished as high as sixth."

Willis continued, "That four-way battle continued right to the end of the race on on the final lap, with all four cars dicing for position, Michael just got caught out and was passed for position and finished in eighth."

Overall, the team is very pleased with how David and Michael fought throughout the race and they feel that both are capable strong results at the front of the field all season long. David definitely proved that he can run at the front and Michael showed he has what it takes to get to the front.

The AIM Autosport Star Mazda squad is enjoying a quiet night after a few weeks of intense travel that are by no means over. After packing up tomorrow, the team moves on to St. Petersburg, Florida for round two of the Star Mazda Championship which takes place next weekend (28th). They will be joined by Michael's younger brother Anthony who will be competing in the AIM Autosport/Furfari Paving No 77 FF2000 in the new USF2000 Championship. The opening round of that series also takes place March 28th

<< Back Home
<< Back to News