NEWS UPDATE
Maryeve Dufault sponsored by Dodge for NASCAR Canadian Tire
Trois-Rivières and Montreal Rounds
Montréal, August 10, 2010 — The Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram Quebec Dealers recently concluded an agreement with racecar driver Maryeve Dufault. The Quebec native will drive the number 10 Dodge Avenger during the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series rounds scheduled for the Trois-Rivières Grand Prix on August 13 to 15, and the Autopro 100 race to be held on Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, August 28 and 29.
A native of Sorel, Maryeve Dufault discovered her passion for racing at a young age. Like her father and brother, she began her career in motocross before moving to karting and single-seat racecars. The Quebec-born driver has also competed in the Jim Russell and Skip Barber Series, the Star Mazda Championship and Formula BMW USA. In addition to her career as a driver, Maryeve also uses her talents as a stuntwoman in Hollywood films and works as a precision driver for automotive and motorcycle companies. She currently resides in California.
“We are pleased to work in collaboration with the FAZZT Race Team in their Driver Development Program,” said Jean Gosselin, President of the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram Quebec Dealer’s Association. “With Dodge acting as the presenting sponsor of the NAPA Auto Parts 200 in Montréal and contributing to the growth of high caliber car racing in Quebec, the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram Quebec Dealer’s Association focus their attention on young upcoming Quebec drivers. Beside sponsoring Maryeve Dufault, we are also involved with Andrew Ranger who will be driving the number 27 Dodge, sponsored by the Dealer’s Association, in the Trois-Rivières and Montréal events.
“As a mater of fact, we believe that it is a privilege to be associated with Quebec drivers that show an extreme passion for the sport they love, are highly motivated, and are always ready for a new challenge. At Dodge and its dealers, we know all about challenges.”
“This is an great opportunity for me“ said Maryeve Dufault, who is part of the driver development program with FAZZT Race Team. “I was so thrilled to learn that Dodge had come on board that I could not believe it. I have worked so hard to advance my career over the past few years. To have the Quebec Dodge Dealers Association sponsor me for these two races is a dream come true.”
In order to familiarize herself with the number 10 Dodge Avenger prepared by Derek White Racing, Maryeve tested, under the supervision of racer coach Alex Tagliani, during the month of July on the ICAR road circuit in Mirabel. The young driver was very satisfied and surprised by how well the car handled.
“When I first tested the Dodge Avenger, I liked how it reacted, but it was a far cry from what I was used to in a formula car. At first, I was pushing too far, a bit like what you do in open-wheel racing. Then, I realized that I would have to listen to the car to get the most out of it. Trois-Rivières will be my first NASCAR experience. I know that there is a lot of things I need to learn in this type of racing, but I am a very competitive. That’s why I chose to be a racecar driver.”
Maryeve will make her NASCAR debut at the Trois-Rivières Grand Prix on Sunday, August 15. The 3:30 p.m. start, a 43-lap race on the cement wall lined street circuit, will be the first big test for the Sorel driver. Practice and qualifying for the eighth round of the Canadian Tire Championship will take place on Saturday.
For the Montreal race, the start of the 25-lap NAPA Autopro 100 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, the tenth stop on the 2010 NASCAR Canadian Tire series calendar, is scheduled for Sunday, August 29 at 11:45 a.m.
— 30 —
Maryeve will make her first ever appearance in the NASCAR Canadian Tire series at the Trois-Rivières Grand Prix on Sunday, August 15.
Photo Credit: Dodge/ Mark Urkuhart
The image is courtesy of Dodge/ Mark Urkuhart, and is copyright-free for the media
01-2 5608: Dodge Avenger no 10.jpg
The Quebec Dodge Dealer’s Association recently concluded an agreement with Maryeve Dufault to drive the number 10 Dodge Avenger during the NASCAR Canadian Tire races at the Trois-Rivières Grand Prix and at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.
Photo Credit: Dodge/ Mark Urkuhart
The image is courtesy of Dodge/ Mark Urkuhart, and is copyright-free for the media
Canadian Maryeve Dufault Slated to Run Three Events
Indianapolis (March 27, 2010) -The FAZZT Race Team announced today that development driver Maryeve Dufault will be driving in three Star Mazda Series events over the course of the 2010 season. Maryeve will begin her season at the Star Mazda test at O'Reilly Raceway Park on May 5 and 6 and then run the Night Before the 500 on May 29 at O'Reilly Raceway Park, the Iowa Speedway event on June 20 and the event at Trois-Rivieres on August 15.
"Interest in helping Maryeve get her racing career moving forward is very high, and we are pleased to have put together the Star Mazda tests and races that coincide with the IndyCar Series as well as a Canadian event," explained team COO Jim Freudenberg. "Our sponsorship plans for Maryeve came together quite quickly and we are excited to announce she will be joining Team Apex Racing to run her car for this three race program. We will be announcing her sponsors in the coming weeks."
Maryeve, a native of Sorel, Quebec, has an extensive racing background in the ladder series including karting, Formula Jim Russell, Skip Barber, Formula BMW, Star Mazda and a stint testing for Formula 3 in England. "I am really excited to get back in the race car again and I am so grateful for the support of the FAZZT Race Team in putting this program together," said Maryeve. "I've had experience in the Star Mazda Series and with sponsor support I am looking forward to having a competitive ride and a good opportunity to hone my racing skills. I got the chance to watch the team in action today, and they look very professional and they seem to have an experienced group supporting the drivers."
FAZZT Race Team will continue to assist Maryeve in her sponsorship development and look for additional opportunities as the season progresses. For more information on Maryeve go to www.fazztraceteam.com and for information on the Team Apex Racing go to www.teamapexusa.com.
About FAZZT Race Team: The FAZZT Race Team was formed in July 2009 as a partnership between Andre Azzi of the Azzi Race Division, ATG, and Jim Freudenberg and Jason Priestley of the Rubicon Sports Agency. The team will field a full-time IndyCar Series team beginning in 2010. The team has four Dallara chassis and has signed Canadian driver Alex Tagliani to drive the #77 entry. Andre Azzi, a Montreal based entrepreneur, is the teams' Chief Executive Officer and motorsports veteran Jim Freudenberg is the teams' Chief Operating Officer. The team is housed in a 25,000 ft. race shop on the north side of Indianapolis with a second facility that will house their Research and Design division in Montreal. For more information, go to www.FAZZTRaceTeam.com.
FAZZT Race Team Begins Development Program Signs Canadian Maryeve Dufault
Indianapolis (Jan. 26, 2010) -The FAZZT Race Team has taken the initial steps into creating a development program with the signing of Canadian Maryeve Dufault.
"As we continue to build the FAZZT Race Team programs we have an incredible amount of support from Canadian companies for our Canadian driver and team," explained team COO Jim Freudenberg. "When the opportunity arose to meet Maryeve and discuss supporting and developing her racing career we saw it as a great opportunity for our team and partners to continue to develop racing talent from Canada. Her racing skill and understanding of the commercial side of racing combined with her marketability make her a great teammate for Alex and FAZZT. "
Maryeve, a native of Sorel, Quebec, has an extensive racing background in the ladder series including karting, Formula Jim Russell, Skip Barber, Formula BMW, Star Mazda and a stint testing for Formula 3 in England. "I am a racer and from a very young age I loved the rush of adrenaline I got from racing," said Maryeve. "And don't let the feminine side of me fool you, I am very competitive and I am in racing to win." Maryeve is currently driving in the Rotax International Karting Series and continuing to develop her racing skills.
Maryeve came to the attention of FAZZT Race Team driver Alex Tagliani during her racing in the Rotax International Series. "Maryeve is a very talented driver who is driven by her commitment to the sport," said Alex. "We are looking forward to having her as a part of the FAZZT Race Team and hope that we can play a part in continuing to develop her skills and talent as a driver."
FAZZT Race Team will assist Maryeve in her sponsorship development with the intent to field her in IndyCar development series events and also the Nascar Canadian Tire Series events with Tagliani's Canadian Tire Series team. For more information on Maryeve go to www.fazztraceteam.com
About FAZZT Race Team: The FAZZT Race Team was formed in July 2009 as a partnership between Andre Azzi of the Azzi Race Division, ATG, and Jim Freudenberg and Jason Priestley of the Rubicon Sports Agency. The team will field a full-time IndyCar Serie team beginning in 2010. The team has four Dallara chassis and has signed Canadian driver Alex Tagliani to drive the #77 entry. Andre Azzi, a Montreal based entrepreneur, is the teams' Chief Executive Officer and motorsports veteran Jim Freudenberg is the teams' Chief Operating Officer. The team is housed in a 25,000 ft. race shop on the north side of Indianapolis with a second facility that will house their Research and Design division in Montreal. For more information, go to www.FAZZTRaceTeam.com
F3
British / Canadian impresses on Litespeed debut.
January 7, 2009 - Canadian Maryeve Dufault created a strong impression
on her first outing in an F3 car with Litespeed.
Unheralded Canadian Maryeve Dufault set tongues wagging in more
ways than one as she became the latest candidate to sample Litespeed
F3's unique SLC R1 chassis ahead of a possible switch to the British
F3 Championship next season.
The
attractive Star Mazda and FBMW graduate joined the team at Snetterton
to get a taste of F3 before the testing window closed for the winter,
bringing a genetic streak that has seen her father and elder brother
enjoy motorsport success at national level, and impressed Litespeed
technical director Steve Kenchington with both her initial pace
and feedback despite being unfamiliar with either car or circuit.
"We were delighted with Maryeve's test results," Kenchington
said, "She had never driven in the wet before, but applied
a professional and methodical approach in making the step into a
British F3 car, focusing on learning the track and the challenge
of driving in the unfamiliar conditions."
Such
was the impact of Dufault's debut that the team is keen to run her
again with a view to a possible entry in next season's championship.
Litespeed is hoping to ramp up its involvement after a toe in the
water exercise in 2008, and is looking to the experience of former
national and international class champion Robbie Kerr to help develop
the SLC R1 in the intervening months.
"Litespeed
and Maryeve have a long future ahead, not least because she demonstrated
great technical competence and understanding," Kenchington
added, "With more seat time, she will have the opportunity
to fulfil her potential and we are thrilled that that will be with
Litespeed."
Stunning pole position for Maryeve Dufault
California resident Maryeve Dufault is a talented and dedicated kart racer. She proved it once again when she captured pole position ahead of several, more experienced competitors in a Rotax kart race.
The young racer of the SCC racing team enjoyed two good practice sessions in the morning as she worked on improving her chassis before the qualifying effort.
“I had some over steer coming out of the corners this morning,” she said. “I tried to correct it for the qualifying effort. Unfortunately, it was difficult to find a clean lap in the traffic. The qualifying session was only five minutes long and I had to produce a good lap quickly to start from pole position.”
She eventually qualified in 4 th place. It was very tight at the top of the timing sheet with only half a second separating the top five qualifiers. Pole position went to three-time Rotax International Champion, Michael Leib.
Maryeve was ready for a great start in the pre-finale. “My goal was to try to get at the front of the pack quickly in the race,” she said. “I knew Michael and I would be quick at the start, as well as two other drivers. I did not want to be caught behind slower drivers for too long.”
At the start, she blasted from 4 th to third and managed to pass Erik Jackson in the inside on the second lap. She was now running in second place and was ready to give Leib a run for his money. She managed to pass him to take the lead.
“I knew I had to stay really focused when I took the lead and make no mistakes because Michael Leib was right behind me,” she explained.
She crossed the line in first place, taking victory in the pre-finale and finishing 3/10ths of a second ahead of Leib. The sensational win gave Dufault pole position for the finale.
However, her race was short lived, unfortunately. She lost her neck collar during the race and she was therefore given a black flag.
“It was a really upsetting situation as it was a really banal incident that ruined my race,” she declared afterwards. “However, the rules are the rules and anyone who’d have had the same problem would have been black flagged. I’m already looking forward to the next race.”
Spectacular debuts for Maryeve Dufault with CRG karting
Maryeve collects one victory and three podiums in the month of May.
To keep fit physically and mentally, racecar driver Maryeve Dufault races karts during her spare times. Since April, she has been competing for the famed Italian kart manufacturer CRG.
Maryeve races in the hotly disputed Rotax DD2 series in California. This category features spec 125cc Rotax engines that are fitted with paddle-activated two-speed gearboxes. These purebred racing machines are shod on slick tires; they are capable of stunning accelerations and breathtaking corning speeds.
Competing for the new structure, the CRG SSC Team, Maryeve had some great battles and she earned a victory in just her second race.
"I’ve raced with a Birel chassis for a long time before I tested the CRG kart in April with SSC Racing,” the young lady said. “I was a great test session and I had a nice opportunity offer to me to race with them.”
Maryeve was obviously delighted with her maiden victory.
“CRG is a great chassis and the SSC team provides me with great support as well as a very competitive package,” she said.
“I am obviously extremely happy with the outcome of this race as I finish in the victory lane. Scoring victory in just my second outing confirm that I took the right decision. I'm still learning a few things about the chassis and the SSC team gives me extremely valuable advice and support. These guys have been great and they are true professionals.”
-end-
A FINE TOP 5 FINISH
Sebring
International Raceway, Florida
4th and 5th races of 2008
It
has been for me a great weekend of racing in Sebring, Florida on
February 15 and 16.
It
was my first time at the famed Sebring International Raceway. For
that reason, I knew I had a lot to learn in very little time. Sebring
is the track where is held each year the famous 12 Hour of Sebring
endurance event. It’s a 3.7-mile road course made of 17 turns.
I
tried to learn the layout of the circuit as quickly as possible
during the first outing without trying to push too hard. Unfortunately,
my car suffered from some mechanical problems during the second
practice and the qualifying session. I tried my best to drive the
problem around, but it was impossible. The organizers gave me a
make-up session on Saturday morning along with few other drivers
that also had issues with their cars as well.
I
qualified in 8th place for the first race of the weekend. I had
a great start and by Turn 7, I was already running in 3rd place.
Meanwhile, the two leading guys were fighting pretty hard. I was
getting ready to make a pass and I decided to wait for the right
moment. Unfortunately, Barcena hit me from behind and the impact
threw me off course. I was really frustrated because I had such
a great start.
I
had to pit to have the car checked out, and that dropped me back
into 18th position. There were only six laps to go in the race.
I managed to pass about eight cars and finished 10th overall.
My
starting position in the second race of the weekend was the finishing
position of my first race. At the start, the car in front of me
slowed me down. I had nowhere to go, and that ruined my hopes of
passing several cars right at the beginning of the race. That made
me lose touch with the front-runners. But it was a very good race
without any yellows. I pushed hard, won a few good battles and made
it into the top 5.
“The
fact is, some races are processional and so it was for Group 4’s
second race,” said the official series’ press release.
“The top five drivers - Bumgarner, Bartlett, Durango,
Kristian and Dufault - ran that way from lap 3 onward. Richard
Schwyn had a fine drive from 11th to sixth, with Hagerman, Barcena,
Dominic Lamanna and Pasquale rounding out top 10.”
Maryeve
February
2008
12-hour Enduro Le Mans
A
few weekends ago, I had the chance to compete in my first 12-hour
go-kart endurance race. It was a fantastic experience and I realised
how much I love endurance racing.
My
teammates were Boris Said (NASCAR driver), Colin Fleming (who competes
in the GP2 series in Europe), Sam Hubinette (Drifting driver), Tanner
Foust (X-games rally gold medallist),Arie Banquet and Britanny Reed.
Britanny is the daughter of Mike Reed, who’s been in motorsport
for over 35 years, working for A. J. Foyt and Tom Sneva among others,
as well as being the owner of his own U.S.A.C. midgets.
We
were the pro team with 11 other teams that consisted of four to
six drivers. Everyone did a tremendous job. We encountered a few
obstacles, but it was part of the fun. This endurance race was also
great occasion as well and a portion of the proceed went to "Make
a Wish Foundation".
Every
team member drove from 30 to 90 minutes at the time. My turn came
at night around 4 am and I drove for 1h42 minutes non-stop! Our
kart didn't had the best speed but it had great turn-in, so this
is were I could gain some time over the other teams. I didn't sleep
at all nor took a nap. I was suffering from a cold and I knew that
if I would sleep I’d wake up not feeling so good. So I decided
to stay up.
My
lap times were consistent during my entire stint. Even on my last
lap I felt strong and not fatigued. I surprised myself with how
much endurance I had. I guess my really hard core training helped
me to get at that level of my fitness.
At
one point, I had to fight for position with Craig Stanton. We were
having a blast out there and we were passing each other back and
forth. I gained several positions but got some aggressive drivers
not braking and banging into me. It got me frustrated at certain
moments.
Mike
Reed was nevertheless impressed by Maryeve’s driving abilities.
“Maryeve, an up-and-coming Indy Pro Driver, was one of the
fastest drivers out on the race track,” he said. “She
drove non-stop for a long period of time and her lap times never
dropped below the 20-second mark. In fact, she did a 19.4 which
was one of the fastest lap of the entire race. That made her the
fastest driver of the pro team.”
By
the end of the event, Tanner Foust was driving for us but he was
tapping his helmet on the pit straight, meaning he needed a change
driver. We gained one position and we were now running in 6th place.
For the last 35 minutes of the race, the team decided to have me
drive because I was the fastest driver of the pro team. The goal
was to keep 6th place but the team that was in 7th position didn't
need to stop again…
We
eventually lost that 6th place since that competitor was running
right behind Tanner. I had a lap to warm up my tire and I started
to fight. I was catching him up, but a lapped driver messed up my
game a little bit. I got stuck behind him a little bit too long
and I lost touch with him.
But
overall it was a lot of fun for a great occasion. Every driver did
a great job out there and we made a great team. I'm really happy
I competed into it.
“Maryeve
is not only a great person on and off the race track but she also
has the looks to go with her talent,” Mike Reed declared after
the event. “My daughter just loves her and if she can grow
up to be like Maryeve even if Brittany doesn't become a race car
driver, she will be a better person. I wish Maryeve the best of
luck next year. And I know Brittany will be watching her.”
Now,
I'm ready to compete in an endurance race like the 24 Hour Rolex
or 12 Hour of Sebring.
January
2008
Laguna Seca, close to a win"
Brian
Skinner and Kevin Tittle ducked it out until Tittle spun and fell
off the road on lap 12. After two laps of full-course caution to
get Tittle’s car out of the gravel trap, Maryeve Dufault got
around Kevin Woods and then Skinner to take the lead and crossed
the finish in first place. However, Maryeve was handed a 15-sec
time penalty, and she was eventually classified seventh.
Skinner
inherited the win - his first - with Ethan Stone coming
in second and Fabrice Weill, third. Traver was given a penalty for
contact with Kevin Woods, and ended up 10th. When it all shook out,
fourth was Walter Kuhn, with Sunho Lee and Ryan Burns fifth and
sixth, respectively. John Candeias and Michael rounded out the Top
10.
"It
was a great weekend with several obstacles for me. My first qualifying
session didn't go well since I dropped four wheels off the pavement
and had to start the race from the back of the pack. I took the
lead near the end of the race, but I was given a penalty that unfortunately
caused me the victory. I was black flagged on the last lap. I pushed
hard to stretch my lead. So if I they gave me a time penalty, I
would not lose too many positions.”
“I
later competed in another race with a different group of drivers.
I was forced to start from the back of the pack since I didn't run
the qualifying session. I started the race in 14th, and near the
end I was running in third. I had to perform several difficult passes
and be careful because the strict sporting regulations can make
you lose a race quickly.
At
one point, we had a caution period that allowed me to tuck just
behind Ian Costa for the restart. At the green, I passed him in
turn one. I was now in second place, chasing for the lead and trying
to keep my position. Everything was going much faster since I wasn’t
running in traffic. Unfortunately, I pushed hard to pass him in
Turn 10 but dropped wheels off the course, which caused me another
penalty. Regional races tend to be a little stricter from a driving
point of view. But it was a great weekend. I had a lot of fun and
passing so many cars was tremendous. It gave me great experience
with driving in traffic and passing at the right moment. I decided
to race with Skip Barber because it's always a great series to start
the year with some practice."
2-
Movie " FAST GIRL"
Determined
to make a name for herself in the male-dominated sport that recently
claimed the life of her talented father, a young female race car
driver with a lead foot and love for speed punches the gas and never
looks back in this family-oriented sports drama.
Starring
Mircea Monroe and Justin Guarini, “Fast Girl” is about
a young girl, Alexis "Alex" Johnstone (played by Mircea
Monroe), who knows she is destined to become a true motorsport champion.
But Alex's uncle Bill (played by Dwier Brown) is the man in charge
of the local speedway, and there's no way he's going to lose another
relative on a racetrack.
As
determined as Bill is to prevent his niece from crashing and burning
behind the wheel of a race car, however, Alex is equally resolute
to prove that she has what it takes to keep pace with the best male
drivers around. Later, as Alex becomes involved with a professional
race car driver (played by Guarini) who has a reputation for always
crossing the checkered flag first, the young girl's conflict proves
much more complex than simple black and white.
Race
car driver Maryeve Dufault did the stunt work for Alex, the female
driver. “We did most of the stunt work at Willow Spring,”
Dufault said. “It wasn't my first time doing stunt work, so
I had some experience and I understood the camera work and positioning.
It was a lot of fun.”
Dufault
also had the chance to work with actress Mircea Monroe. “It
was great! I had the chance to discuss with her and to show her
a few little tips about how a driver would do certain things. I
think she did a great job in this movie.”
MARCH
2007
Race
car driver Maryeve Dufault Embodiment of Beauty and Performance
Dufault
Makes Appearance in Life Fitness Booth at IHRSA
SAN
FRANCISCO (March 29, 2007) - Matching athletic performance with
dignified beauty, model and Formula car driver Maryeve Dufault joins
the growing Life Fitness team of female athletes. A longtime fan
of Life Fitness products, Dufault uses the company's cardiovascular
and strength-training equipment to stay in top shape.
"In
Formula racing, there's no room for fatigue," said Dufault.
"I've been working out on Life Fitness products for years -
to increase my endurance to handle 45 minutes of intense racing
and to build my core and upper body strength to control my car through
fast turns. Its products are essential to my performance."
A
constant media focus as a Formula race car driver, Dufault worked
with the well-recognized Ford Modeling Agency and has appeared in
a number of films, but is now concentrating her career on the racetrack-what
she considers her true calling. Dufault will make an appearance
with Life Fitness at the 2007 IHRSA Convention on March 29.
Dufault
is one of a host of other top female athletes linked to Life Fitness
and joins surfer phenom Alana Blanchard and professional golfers
Cristie Kerr and Natalie Gulbis in highlighting fitness, performance
and health with Life Fitness products.
About
Life Fitness
Life Fitness, a division of Brunswick Corp. (NYSE: BC), is the global
leader
in designing and manufacturing a full line of high-quality fitness
equipment for commercial and consumer use. It is the largest commercial
fitness equipment provider in the world and the only fitness equipment
manufacturer that has been providing premium equipment for nearly
30 years. Life Fitness' cardiovascular and strength-training products,
including the renowned Lifecycle exercise bike, are used worldwide
in health clubs, fitness centers and wellness facilities, as well
as in homes. The company is headquartered near Chicago, in Schiller
Park, Ill., and distributes its equipment in more than 120 countries.
JANUARY
Maryeve
Racing Launches New Web Site
Jan.
28, 2007 - Maryeve Racing launched a new website this week to keep
race fans informed and in touch as the Mazda Series driver continues
to grow and expand towards the future. The updated look and interactive
features will provide fans with up-to-date information and give
them a way to communicate directly with the driver.
"I
really like the look and feel of the new site, and hopefully my
fans will as well," said Maryeve Dufault.
The website includes news, a photo gallery, a promotional video,
as well as a store section. The site also provides information on
the driver and sponsors.
The
website, custom programmed by G-nius Communication. www.g-nius.ca,
was designed with race fans in mind. "We wanted to create a
site that would keep fans informed, entertained and give them a
reason to keep coming back. Whether they just pop in to view race
results or photos, there is something on the website for everyone
following Maryeve," said firm owner Benoit Gosselin.
ABOUT
G-NIUS COMMUNICATION: At G-nius, we are passionate about
racing. It's what we do for a living! We understand the needs and
wants of the motorsport consumer better than any other. Why shouldn't
we? It's who we are!
This
year, G-nius will guide the marketing, media, sponsorship and public
relations activities of some of North America's highest profile
teams and drivers. To keep our clients at the top of the pack we're
in training all year round. There's no off season here! In much
the same way that our clients test their courage on the race track
every day, we too are driven to achieve excellence. In an industry
that commands attention like no other in North-America, G-nius prides
itself on providing unique and measurable motorsports marketing
services.
Phenom
Racing Group Begins Testing for 2007 Championship.
Maryeve Dufault completes test at Buttonwillow Raceway Park
Benicia, California. Phenom Racing Group has begun testing in earnest
for the 2007 Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear, recently
completing a test at Buttonwillow Raceway Park with Montreal, Canada
resident Maryeve Dufault.
Dufault, has participated in a limited racing schedule the past
two seasons, competing in the Canadian Grand Prix round of the 2005
Star Mazda Championship and select Formula BMW USA events in 2006.
With this limited seat time, Dufault was happy to get some off-season
testing under her belt in the #92 Phenom Racing Group Molecule Mazda.
“It was a pleasure testing with Phenom Racing Group and I’m
impressed with the professionalism of the organization,” Dufault
commented. “When I’ve raced in the past I’ve had
makeshift seats that haven’t fit quite right, but Phenom built
a seat just for me and really took the time to get me fitted to
the car properly, which helped throughout the test as I could feel
what the car was doing.
The coaching they provided during the test allowed me to continue
to build up speed and I look forward to working with them again.”
Phenom Racing Group team manager Pete Mercier offered praise to
Dufault. “Maryeve did and excellent job during the test for
a driver with limited driving time,” Mercier explained. “She
responded well to the coaching and was able to improve throughout
the day.”
Team Principal Michael Guasch is also optimistic for the upcoming
season. “2006 marked the debut of Phenom Racing Group and
the team fared well in the ultra-competitive Star Mazda Championship
with team driver John Faulkner just missing out on the Masters Championship,”
Guasch explained. “Now with a full season behind us, and the
team established, we can spend this off-season making the cars and
drivers even faster.”
About Phenom Racing Group
Founded by Star Mazda Championship competitor Michael Guasch and
veteran Formula Atlantic, American LeMans Series and Star Mazda
engineer Pete Mercier, Phenom Racing Group is headquartered in Benicia,
California and competed in the 2006 Russell Racing Pro Formula Mazda
Championship as well as the nationally televised Star Mazda Championship
presented by Goodyear.
More
information about the team can be found on their website at
www.phenomracinggroup.com.
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