HIALEAH POSSE DOMINATES FasTRUCK WINTER HEAT II OPENER
by Bill Green
Patrick Staropoli & George Morales, both out of the greater Miami area, showed their Fast Media Group opponents that 2006 could be "The Year of The Posse." Both drivers dominated the day with fast times in their divisions, zero pill draws for pole starts and wire-to-wire victories.
Qualifying would see last year's drivers have a slight advantage over the new comers, but not by much. Fast time for the Kids would be Patrick Staropoli. Running a 16.539 for the Kids pole and fast enough for a 4th place start in the Pro Main. Second fast would be Dustin Dunn at 16.620, edging out Anthony Campi's 16.621. The Pro's saw the same picture with George Morales going quick time on the night at 16.271 in front of Kevin Williams at 16.281. They were 2-tenths faster than the rest of the field as Pat Mahoney laid down the next best lap of 16.494.
Prior to the Fast Media Group main events, young Adam Oldfield, the Junior Class President at Lemon Bay High School, showed the crowed what the new Fast Drifters Formula DST was all about. With the skill of a veteran and the 4th turn bobbles of a rookie, Adam Drifted his 240 SX Turbo through a few cones set up on the two straits. The 400 horsepower, 2800 pound car, was really getting the tire smoke and sideways action that Fast Drifting Formula DST will be know for.
The Winter Heat II opening round also had some drama added to the Fast Kids event, as young Staropoli would make this his last Fast Kids event. The move into the Pro ranks later in the evening would leave the Winter Heat II Fast Kids Championship up for grabs for the rest of the field of 12 to 16 year olds. Finishing second behind Satropoli's Star Racing Supplies-Haywood Plastering-Paul's Transmission rocket would be the Anthony Campi driven Waterside Reality/Royal Tee's/DIP Pools machine in second. That would leave Campi on top in the Fast Kids Winter Heat Championship points contest. Third on the day would be was Dustin Dunn's #59 Bob Larkin Performance Engine ride. Meanwhile Codey Benoit went fourth and Michael Pilla rounded out the top-5 in fifth.
Fast Truck Pros enjoyed the great weather and mild temperatures to put on a great show. George Morales kicked off his Winter Heat II Championship bid in perfect style. Taking top honors in qualifying as well as the 50-lap main event. Following Morales' #96 11th Avenue Auto Recycler/Man's Auto Sales/E.T. Tires truck under the checkered flag would be the #6 Orange Peel Special of Kevin Williams, sponsored by South West Florida Cable Construction and Tribett Chassis. Third went to Young Patrick Staropoli in his first ever, Pro event. Patrick was aided by his Fast Kids qualifying time that got him a 4th place starting spot on the grid. Fourth on the track would go to a very patient Tom North in the Performance Unlimited #83, while local racer Pat Mahoney would settle for 5th. The M1 truck of Jake Ready gets an honorable mention for the crews effort and driver skill as the M1 finished 6th after making hard contact with the turn two wall on lap one of his qualifying. Great Job!
Next outing for the Fast Media Group will be the Winter Heat II second round visit to Charlotte County on February 25th at 2pm. Make plans to be there and enjoy the FasTruck Pros and exciting Fast Kids competition. Call the FMG main office at 813-817-RACE for more info or visit us at www.FasTruckRacingSeries.com.
We'll See You At The RACES!
********************************************* FMG WINTER HEAT II COMPLETE FINISHING ORDER
"Q" Auto & Injury Attorney FAST KIDS 25 1. 97 Patrick Staropoli 2. 81 Anthony Campi 3. 59 Dustin Dunn 4. 39 Codey Benoit 5. 24 Micheal Pilla 6. 33 Casey Caudill 7. 74 Seth Greco 8. 13 Ross Chastain (DNS-electrical)
Brian Davidson Memorial FasTruck 50 1. 96 George Morales 2. 6 Kevin Williams 3. 9 Patrick Staropoli 4. 83 Tom North 5. 84 Pat Mahoney 6. M1 Jake Reedy 7. 51 Stuart Robinson 8. 97 Kurt Haywood 9. 48 David Wilson 10. 7 Austin Hopper 11. 57 Jim Reppi 12. 55 Mike Toemmes 13. 41 Brandon Johnson (DNF) 14. 21 Dr. Bob Cano (DNF)
