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Tonight we’re happy to welcome to the show Peter Portante who will be piloting the #41 Intercity Lines/B&S/California Scents racing machine in the Cooper Tires USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda for Belardi Auto Racing. Peter won the Skip Barber Race Series Championship Shootout and the MAZDASPEED Scholarship to compete for a full-season in USF2000, and chose to join Belardi Auto Racing after heavy recruitment from a number of teams. What is truly unique about Peter’s entry into formula car racing in general, and the USF2000 National Championship specifically, is that he started as an oval kart racer!
We also have our usual ramblings and rantings about all things motorsport including the eventful weekend at the Daytona International Speedway. Mike Whitesell and Kevin Neely offer their commentary on the news, rumors, and scuttlebutt from the worlds of IndyCar and Formula 1, and Doug Patterson and Mike Shaw recap the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood. Doug was at the 100AW rally and provides some from-the-stages commentary about the changing road conditions and attrition. Mike also gives us a peek at Solberg’s future in European Rallycross RX (…so rallycross rallycross?)
Lastly, we offer up our last give-away contest on behalf of the fine folk at MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development. This week’s prize is the fantastic book, Mazda’s Conquest of Le Mans – Never Stop Challenging! In order to win this story of Mazda’s quest for and eventual claiming of the top prize at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, listen to Podcast Episode 177 and we will offer you a triva question related to Mazda’s involvement in Le Mans prototype racing. Email your correct answer to doug@openpaddock.net. We will select the winner from all of the correct responses on Episode 179.