MANDARINO EARNS A FREE SEASON OF RACING AS JIM RUSSELL GRADUATE RUNOFFS CHAMPION

SONOMA, CA. - The speed and consistency of Lorenzo Mandarino earned him overall honors in the 2002 Jim Russell Graduate Runoffs presented by RACER Magazine and Yokohama Tires Dec. 3-8. Mandarino took home the Jim Russell/ RACER Trophy by proving to be the most promising talent among the twelve finalists in this subjective competition and will race for free in the 2003 USAC Formula Russell Championship.

Unfortunately at the last stop in south Carolina speedway would see lorenzo sidelined for the whole day on Saturday in the morning. Lorenzo took to the track for only 3 laps with an unexpected pit stop, Lorenzo would climb out of the car and would not return for the rest of the day, Lorenzo came down with a stomach flu and was unable to continue. Sunday morning Lorenzo appeared to been feeling better and wanted to take advantage of the only day left for testing, successfully completing approximately 60 laps Lorenzo clocked a lap only 2/10ths slower than the track record that was set this past summer, the tires on the race car were new but the track temperature was very cold . Lorenzo looks and feels ready for the winter series, he will travel back to Sebring this coming Wednesday to compete in the first winter race.

Lorenzo will be competing in the Fran Am 2000 winter series in Florida. Lorenzo will be testing Jan 2nd 3rd at Sebring, Jan 5th at Homestead Miami speedway, Jan 9th at Moroso park , and the last stop at Carolina Motorsport Jan 11th and 12th. Lorenzo is very exited about the winter series, competition will be at the best level ever with teams coming from all over, Autotecnica's Anthony Way stated 2003 is the first time that teams from Europe have shown their interest in crossing the ocean to compete in the Fran Am series. Lorenzo first two days of testing went very well setting the fastest time in his class, and on occasion he did not hesitate to out brake some formula Atlantic.