Schanzle Awarded Second FM National Championship Following Donovan Disqualification

LEXINGTON, Ohio (Sept. 24, 2005) – Chris Schanzle, of Damascus, Md., was awarded his second-career SCCA Formula Mazda National Championship Saturday following the disqualification of on-track winner David Donovan, of Plantation, Fla., following post-race technical inspection. The win is Schanzle’s second at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs Presented by Kohler, accompanying his first Championship in 2003. Robin Nicholas, of Haymarket, Va., and Jim Goughary Jr., of Jupiter, Fla., completed the final top three.

On the track, Donovan got an ideal start, holding the lead into esses, as Robert Kaminsky passed two cars, moving second place. Behind the leaders, Triple Crown contender Fabio Castellani had a less than perfect start. Battling for position, Castellani spun in turn eight on lap two and was struck by Rodney Jensen and William Eriksen, ending all three drivers race. Pushing his car to the limit, Donovan steadily increased his lead, as Kaminsky battled Schanzle for second place. Getting alongside Kaminsky under braking on lap eight, Schanzle passed for position in turn seven. Retaining the position for the following six laps, Kaminsky fell back to fifth on lap 14, when he spun off-course exiting Thunder Valley.

"It was a good race. At the start I was caught out a bit and was passed by a couple cars," Schanzle said. "Then I was able to work myself back up. I took advantage of a couple mistakes and gained spots."

Jim Goughary Jr., of Jupiter, Fla., finished fourth, and Kaminsky, of Lockport, Ill., completed the top-five.

No. 36 Mishael Abbott wins the Sunoco Hard Charger Award for advancing seven positions, to finish 13th after starting 20th.

Now in its 42nd year, the SCCA National Championship Runoffs annually crown the best amateur road racers in North America as Champions. More than 750 competitors have gathered this year to battle for 23 class titles this year, with eight races being run Friday and Saturday and seven on Sunday.

Celebrating its 61st anniversary, Sports Car Club of America is a 60,000 member motorsports organization that sanctions and promotes grassroots and professional motorsports events of a variety of disciplines, including road racing, autocrossing, road rally and rallycross.