TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2001--The 2001 Star Mazda Series West Division season
begins this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway with Arizona
Region/SCCA's popular Double National. Utilizing the interior road course,
more than 20 Formula Mazda competitors are expected to compete in the two
races, according to series administrator Gary Rodrigues.
"The Arizona Region puts on a terrific event and we were excited to
be invited," said Rodrigues of the Martin Luther King Jr.-weekend event
(Jan. 13-15, 2001) that historically attracts snow-bound SCCA racers from
all over the country. "I think the results of this weekend's races will
give us a good indication of how competitive the West Division series is
going to be this year."
Last year, more than 40 drivers competed in the West Division
series with Team Bucknum's Bryan Selby, of Alpine, Calif., claiming the
championship crown. Those returning to the series include driving veterans
David McMillan, of Palm Desert, Calif., and Michael Choquette, of Santa
Barbara, Calif., as well as 2000 West Coast Masters champion (drivers 45
and older) Bob Hatle, of San Diego, Calif.
After this weekend, the West Division series is off until March
31-April 1, when it returns to PIR to race on the oval. A complete 2001
Star Mazda Series West Division schedule is listed below.
For more information about the Star Mazda Series West Division
Championship, please log on to the Star Mazda Series website at
www.starmazda.com or contact series administrator Gary Rodrigues at (818)
909-5319. --Jane Anderson
2001 Star Mazda Series-West Division
Jan 13-15* Phoenix Int'l Raceway (road course)
Mar 31-Apr 1 Phoenix Int'l Raceway (oval)
Apr 20-21 Mesa Marin (oval)
Apr 28-29 Buttonwillow Raceway Park
May 19-20* Thunderhill Park
May 26-28 Willow Springs Int'l Raceway
June 8-9 Irwindale (oval)
July 19-21 Sears Point
Aug. 2-4 Portland Int'l Raceway
Sep 6-8 Laguna Seca
*two-race weekends
