SBRS: Spencer Pigot Road America summary

PIGOT STRENGTHENS SKIP BARBER NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD

MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Driver remains the one to beat entering the season-finale thanks to second and third place finishes at famed Road America

ELKHART LAKE, WIS. (August 24, 2010) - Florida's Spencer Pigot further positioned himself as one of the leading young formula car drivers in North America over the weekend (August 21-22) by finishing on the podium in both rounds of the BFGoodrich/Skip Barber National Presented by Mazda doubleheader at Road America. The MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Driver narrowly missed adding to his 2010 win tally, finishing second in Round 11 and third in Round 12. After yet another consistent weekend, Pigot will now enter the season-finale event leading the championship fight by a comfortable margin.

Like the vast majority of the talented Skip Barber National field, Pigot had been looking forward to the Road America event since the announcement of the 2010 series schedule. With its long straightaways and hard braking zones, the high-speed 4.0-mile road course in Wisconsin is not only a favorite to drive, but always features some of the most entertaining races of the year.

Setting the stage for what would ultimately be a highly-successful event, the 16 year-old competitor was immediately the driver to watch during unofficial lapping, posting the fastest time in both Thursday runs. After heavy morning fog canceled the lone practice session of the doubleheader on Friday morning, Pigot returned to the cockpit of his racecar for Round 11 qualifying late in the day. While the highly-rated teenager showed good speed on his own, he was unable to get a good draft off another front-runner in the session, which is vital to turning a time capable of challenging for the pole position. Pigot ended up a disappointing sixth on the time charts, but he would not waver with his focus on the race win.

Pigot put his sub-par qualifying run behind him and rolled on-course late Saturday afternoon for race one of the Road America doubleheader more than aware that racecraft would likely play a key roll in who scored the win. Showcasing his ever-increasing speed and skill behind the wheel, the former karting champion was part of the mix for the lead lap after lap, despite narrowly avoiding a fellow front-runner losing his rear wing. As expected, the battle for the victory came down to the final corner and the drag race up the front straight. Pigot timed his run to near perfection and appeared poised to score the win, however, the lack of a rear wing on the leader's car reduced the draft just enough to prevent Pigot from completing his pass for position before the checkered flag, crossing the stripe a mere 0.017s behind the winner.

With a 10th podium finish (in 11 races) now on his resume, Pigot entered qualifying for Round 12 on Sunday morning feeling confident that he could challenge for the pole position. The MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Driver endured another frustrating session, unable to find a drafting partner and the subsequent speed he desired. The end result was the fifth best time and a place on row three for the afternoon race.

In a repeat of the opening affair in Wisconsin, Pigot was again immediately part of the fight for the win when the green flag waved for Round 12. Routinely trading places with drivers in the lead pack, Pigot positioned himself for another last lap challenge. The battle was again a wild one coming to the stripe, with Pigot eventually taking third in the order, just 0.424s behind the victor. In the process, Pigot maintains a strong championship lead with yet another podium finish.

"Overall it was another strong weekend," stated Pigot. "I am very confident going into Road Atlanta with the points lead I have."

In addition to further strengthening his Skip Barber National series lead, the Road America event was highlighted by Pigot being named as a candidate for the 2010 Team USA scholarship. Founded in 1990, the Team Scholarship has provided talented young racers the opportunity to race and showcase their skills abroad, with the goal of advancing them up motorsports ladder. As one of eight candidates, Pigot will take part in an early September driver shoot-out at the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving in Arizona, with the two winners taking part in the world renowned Formula Ford Festival and prestigious Walter Hayes Trophy in England under the Team USA banner in the late fall.

"I am honored to be nominated for the 2010 Team USA scholarship," added the Florida teenager. "I'm really looking forward to the shoot-out in a few weeks time, and hopefully going over to England."

Pigot concludes his BFGoodrich/Skip Barber National Presented by Mazda campaign on September 30-October 1, with Rounds 13 and 14 at Road Atlanta. The Mazda-backed racer enters the season-finale in Georgia with significant lead in the championship standings. Pigot is backed by Mazda, Sparco, Skip Barber Racing, Parathyroid.com, Silver Knight Racing, Lott-O-Lawyer.com, California Scents and jjracingdevelopment.com.

-source: www.SpencerPigot.com