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Picelle takes third in national championship race
The challenging three-race format in the inaugural National Auto Sport Associations championship races recently held at the Mid Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio proved to have an impact on local race driver Carl Picelle in his quest for a national championship.
The format, two additional qualifying races with results setting the final grid for the national championship races was the background for more than 400 racers competing in varying classes from Friday through Sunday, Sept. 15-17.
Picelle, competing in the German Touring Sportscar Series won his first qualifying race (in class GTS-2) on Sept. 15, but the next day, the start of the race proved controversial as 53 cars took the green flag. Picelle had major contact with another GTS-2 competitor in the congestive second corner after the start, which eliminated both of them from the race, severely damaging the suspension and front bodywork of the Reduction Engineering backed Porsche 944 he drives.
After a determined effort into the night by the crew of sponsor Steinels Autowerks (of Twinsburg) to repair the damage, the car was ready to race again. As a result of this incident, however, Picelle was forced to start the championship race from the very last position, 47th.
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With a number of friends and fans present, Picelle was able to put together a charge from the rear, and in the 20-lap race around the 2.4-mile road circuit was able to pass more than 20 cars, at one time holding second place in class and finally finishing 18th overall, within sight of the class leader, which was good for third place in GTS-2.
The class was won by Mark Weining from Delaware, and second place was taken by Jim Child of Springboro, Ohio, both driving Porsche cars as well. |
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Picelle and his wife, Valarie, operate their race team, CARVAL Motorsports, with the support and backing of several local firms: primary sponsor Reduction Engineering Inc. in Kent, Steinels Autowerks, Action Auto Body of Streetsboro, the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Flynns Tire and Service Centers, Advanced Display Systems, Campus Camera and Imaging, Auto Glass Systems, all of Kent, Waterloo Manufacturing Inc., Atwater, Picelles restaurant, Franklin Square Deli, Internet businesses Apex Performance.net, Fast Forty Fours.com. and brake pad supplier Carbotech.
Several additional local businesses aided in the run for the Championship, and CARVAL Motorsports planned to host them and the entire sponsorship team with a cookout and celebration of the seasons accomplishments in October to be held on the Reduction Engineering grounds on Crystal Parkway in the industrial center off Mogadore Road. |
The team had one more race weekend in Indiana to attend as Picelle trailed the regional championship points race by just five. Any person or business wishing to help defray the cost of the championship efforts may become a patron sponsor and attend the cookout. The cost is $100 for two persons, and the checks can be sent to CARVAL Motorsports, 108 S. Water Street, Kent OH 44240 or taken directly to Picelle at Franklin Square Deli, in downtown Kent.
By Marly Kosinski, 2006. Displayed with permission from the Record-Courier
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