2007 Star Mazda Championship Presented by Goodyear- Houston

Lorenzo Mandarino captures first victory at Miller Motorsports Park.

Lorenzo Mandarino took his first Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear victory in the No. 23 Northwest Autosport Pro Formula Mazda Saturday in the Larry H. Miller Dealerships Utah Grand Prix, round four of the 2007 Star Mazda Championship, at Miller Motorsports Park.

"I'm thrilled to get my first win at this venue," Mandarino said. "It was a tough race, and to come out on top is great." Mandarino entered the race eighth in points, with two top-five finishes. If I can win and be successful and have a chance at the championship, my sponsor will go all the way, after this weekend, we're going forward."

James Davison, the pole-sitter, finished second in the No. 7 Easternats Velocity Motorsports Pro Formula Mazda.

"The triple left-hander on the circuit was extremely slippery," Davison said. "I went off twice, so that cost me a victory. From the driver's standpoint, the conditions were very tough and stressful. It was just a really good race."

Davison has finished in the top 10 in every race so far, and qualified on pole at Virginia International Raceway.

Jonathan Goring, in the No. 14 Skip Barber Racing Andersen Pro Formula Mazda, got his second podium finish of the season, finishing third.

"We actually didn't have the budget to continue, maybe all season, until five minutes after morning practice," Goring said in reference to car damage earlier in the weekend during a practice session. "So getting my second podium finish at this amazing track is an awesome experience."

Dane Cameron finished fourth in the No. 19 Lynx Racing Ocean Tomo 300 mockett.com JDC Motorsports Pro Formula Mazda. Cameron entered this race
with a 14-point lead in the Series, having scored two wins and two poles, and has yet to finish lower than fourth.

Marco Di Leo, in the no. 21 Maxwell Paper Racing Pro Formula Mazda, who qualified first but started 24th due to a non-compliant part in post-qualifying inspection, finished fifth. This is Di Leo's third top-five result this season.

Nick Haye, in the No. 37 JDC Motorsports NHR Racing Pro Formula Mazda, finished sixth, followed by Ron White in the No. 69 Team G.FRO Ad-Tech RC Twenty Pro Formula Mazda. White started the race eighth, but an early-race spin in Turn 7 gave him several positions to make up. By lap 6, he'd worked his way back into 12th place, and gained two positions on the final lap to finish seventh.

For the second year in a row, Russell Walker finished eighth in the No. 28 Pavecon John Walko Racing Pro Formula Mazda. Natacha Gachnang finished ninth in her series debut, driving the No. 35 AIM Autosport Pro Formula Mazda.

Alex Ardoin rounded out the top 10 for the second time this season in the No. 51 Mundill Pro Formula Mazda.

"It was a great race," Ardoin said. "We are learning more every weekend and are heading in a positive direction."

Ardoin and his parents will be leaving Utah before sunrise in order to participate in his high school commencement ceremonies in Lafayette, La.

Round five of the 2007 Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear will commence June 8-9 at Portland International Raceway.

TOOELE, Utah - Marco Di Leo, in the no. 21 Maxwell Paper Racing Pro Formula Mazda, claimed his first series pole in the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear, taking the top spot for the Larry H. Miller Dealerships Utah Grand Prix at Miller Motorsports Park with a best lap time of 2:38.078 (102.16 mph).

"It's a great accomplishment," Di Leo said. "Especially considering the mechanical issues we overcame at Houston."

James Davison was second in the No. 7 Easternats Velocity Motorsports Pro Formula Mazda, followed by Jonathan Goring in the No. 14 Skip Barber Racing Andersen Racing Team Pro Formula Mazda.

Devin Cunningham had his best qualifying session of the season to date and will start fourth in the No. 33 Discovery Channel AIM Autosport Pro Formula Mazda.

"I'm happy," Cunningham said. "Our times decreased significantly lap after lap. We made a few mistakes, but that's racing.Fourth is my best qualifying time so far. I'll take it."

Nick Haye rounded out the top-5 in the No. 37 JDC Motorsports NHR Racing Pro Formula Mazda, followed by Alex Ardoin in the No. 51 Mundill Pro Formula Mazda, Jonny Baker in the No. 6 Andersen Racing Team Pro Formula Mazda, Lorenzo Mandarino in the No. 23 Northwest Autosport Pro Formula Mazda, Ron White in the No. 69 Team G.FRO Ad-Tech RC Twenty Pro Formula Mazda, and Russell Walker in the No. 28 John Walko Racing Pro Formula Mazda rounded out the top-10.

The Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear Pro Formula Mazdas will race at Noon EDT Saturday.

TOOELE, Utah - Marco Di Leo, in the No. 21 Maxwell Paper Racing Pro Formula Mazda, had the fastest time in the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear's Friday morning practice session at Miller Motorsports Park in preparation for the Larry H. Miller Dealerships Utah Grand Prix with a time of 2:38.856 (101.662 mph).

Lorenzo Mandarino was second in the No. 23 Northwest Autosport Pro Formula Mazda, followed by James Davison in the No. 7 Easternats Velocity Motorsports Pro Formula Mazda, Ron White in the No. 69 Team G.FRO Ad-Tech RC Twenty Pro Formula Mazda and Devin Cunningham in the No. 33 Discovery Channel AIM Autosport Pro Formula Mazda.

The Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear Pro Formula Mazdas will qualify Friday night at 5:30 p.m. EDT.

TOOELE, Utah - James Davison posted a time of 2:59.988 in his No. 7 Velocity Motorsports Pro Formula Mazda to top the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear's final practice chart Thursday for the Larry H. Miller Dealerships Utah Grand Prix.

"Once everyone was under equal conditions with new tires, it helped us see what to try to prepare for" Davison said. "The team's done a good job, it looks good for tomorrow."

Ron White, in the No. 69 Team G.FRO Ad-Tech RC Twenty Pro Formula Mazda, had the second-fastest time once again.
"Practice went pretty good," White said. "We were off by two-tenths, but I mean, we never got really a clean lap. We've got some more stuff to learn. I think it will be a lot better come race time"

Dane Cameron was third in the No. 19 Ocean Tomo 300 /mockett.com Pro Formula Mazda, followed by Jonny Baker in the No. 6 AIM Autosport Pro Formula Mazda and Nick Haye in the No. 37 JDC Motorsports NHR Racing Pro Formula Mazda, Marco Di Leo in the No. 21 Maxwell Paper Racing Pro Formula Mazda, Lorenzo Mandarino in the No. 23 Northwest Autosport Pro Formula Mazdaand Jonathan Goring in the No. 14 Skip Barber Racing School Pro Formula Mazda.
Devin Cunningham, driver of the No. 33 AIM Autosport Discovery Channel Pro Formula Mazda finished ninth, followed by Russell Walker in the No. 28 John Walko Racing Pro Formula Mazda rounded out the top-10.

"We knew very well we weren't going to be the fastest," Cunningham said. "We were on old tires, so we knew we would lose time. But we're going to be prepared for what Saturday brings."

The Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear Pro Formula Mazdas will practice again at 9:30 a.m. MDT on Friday.

TOOELE, Utah - Ron White, driver of the No. 69 Team G.FRO Ad-Tech RC Twenty Pro Formula Mazda led the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear's morning practice session Thursday at Miller Motorsports Park in preparation for the Larry H. Miller Dealerships Utah Grand Prix with a best time of 2:38.692 (101.767 mph).

"It felt pretty good," White said. "We were seven-tenths quicker than second place, and we definitely have some more left, so we still gotta keep working at it and go out and put it on the pole and try to win this thing."

Devin Cunningham posted the second-fastest time in the No. 33 AIM Autosport Discovery Channel Pro Formula Mazda.
"Practice went well," Cunningham said. "We knew we were very quick yesterday, it was just a matter of putting on some sticker tires and seeing what the car could do."

The Star Racer overcame a sticky APV valve after Wednesday's morning session, and has since been posting top-5 times.
"It's my fourth formula car race and I'm up in second for the first practice," Cunningham said. "And on top of that, having Dane Cameron and Lorenzo [Mandarino], people like that in the back of you, so it's pretty I'm looking forward to the next practice session."
Cunninghams' time was followed by Series points leader Dane Cameron in the No. 19 Ocean Tomo 300 /mockett.com Pro Formula Mazda.

"We struggled quite a bit yesterday," Cameron said. "We definitely made quite a few positive changes overnight. We still have quite a bit to go, but we are definitely headed in the right direction. We picked up time from yesterday and the car feels much better."
Lorenzo Mandarino, in the No. 23 Northwest Autosport Pro Formula Mazda, and Russell Walker, in the No. 28 John Walko Racing Pro Formula Mazda rounded out the top 5.

The Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear Pro Formula Mazdas will practice again at 3:45 p.m. EDT.

TOOELE, Utah - Russell Walker, driving the No. 28 John Walko Racing Pavecon Pro Formula Mazda led the final practice session Wednesday at Miller Motorsports Park, posting a fast lap time of 2:39.565 (101.210 mph).

"It was a really good day," Walker said. "I feel really confident. I finished eighth here last year and that gives me an advantage."

Ron White, driver of the No. 69 Team G.FRO Ad-Tech RC Twenty Pro Formula Mazda, came in second for the second time in the day's three sessions. White crossed the finish line second in the race last year.

"We've been consistently good and keep improving," White said. "But it's not over yet. It's looking pretty good so far, we just have to continue to improve, picking up that last little bit and we'll be fine."

James Davison came in third, driving the No. 7 Velocity Motorsports Pro Formula Mazda, followed by Jonny Baker in the No. 6 Andersen Racing Team Pro Formula Mazda.
"I actually really like it," Baker said of the track. "It's got a good mix of corners. It's a really long track, and it takes a while to get around. With half hour sessions, if you come in, you lose a lot of time. But the track's great, it's got more of what I'm used to back in England."

Devin Cunningham, driver No. 33 AIM Autosport Discovery Channel Pro Formula Mazda, who finished last in the day's first practice session due to mechanical issues, had the fifth fastest time for the final two sessions of the day.

The 2007 Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear will go on track next at Miller Motorsports Park in preparation for the Larry H. Miller Dealerships Utah Grand Prix with a practice session Thursday at 9:30 a.m. MT.

TOOELE, Utah - James Davison led the second practice session for the Larry H. Miller Dealerships Utah Grand Prix at Miller Motorsports Park with a lap time of 2:39.772 (101.079 mph) in the No. 7 Velocity Motorsports Pro Formula Mazda.

Ron White, driving the No. 69 Team G.FRO Ad-Tech RC Twenty Pro Formula Mazda, had the second fastest time, the same position he crossed the finish line here last season.
Alex Ardoin, in the NO. 51 Mundill Pro Formula Mazda, was third.

"We had an issue with the new motor in the first session," Ardoin said. "But the second was better. We are very happy with where we are right now and we are going in a positive direction."

Jonny Baker, in the No. 6 Andersen Racing Team Pro Formula Mazda, was fourth, followed by Devin Cunningham, in the No. 33 Discovery Channel AIM Autosport Pro Formula Mazda.

The Pro Formula Mazdas will hit the track again for practice at 5:20 p.m. MST.

TOOELE, Utah - Lorenzo Mandarino, driving the No. 23 Northwest Autosport Pro Formula Mazda, posted the fastest time in the first practice session Wednesday for the Larry H. Miller Dealerships Utah Grand Prix at Miller Motorsports Park with a best speed of 100.175.

Dane Cameron posted the second fastest time in his No. 19 Ocean Tomo 300 /mockett.com Pro Formula Mazda for JDC Motorsports, followed by Ron White in No. 69 Team G.FRO Ad-Tech Pro Formula Mazda, James Davison in the No. 7 Velocity Motorsports Pro Formula Mazda and Charles Anti in the No. 2 John Walko Racing Pro Formula Mazda..
Newcomer Natacha Gachnang, in the No. 35 AIM Autosport Pro Formula Mazda, was ninth. Gachnang spent last year competing in Formula 3 Germany. She is from Switzerland and will compete in the next seven races with Star Mazda.

Devin Cunningham, in the No. 33 Discovery Channel AIM Autosport Pro Formula Mazda, was relagated by mechanical issues to the final spot on the speed chart.
"We're still having the same engine problems we were battling at VIR," Cunningham said. "Hopefully we'll get that worked out soon."