Mustang Challenge Off and Running
February 22nd, 2011 by DavidP
The Champion Motorsports 2011 Mustang Challenge is off to an excellent start, having just completed the third of twelve online races on some of the most famous road course circuits from around the world. The Mustangs are proving to be one of the most popular series yet run at Champion, with some very close and exciting racing throughout the field.
The first race of the season kicked off at Watkins Glen and saw Champion Motorsports newcomer Wayne Funston win an exciting race. Devin Obrien would qualify on pole for the event with Funston starting alongside on the front row. Obrien got a great start and led the first six laps of the race, but Funston was in close pursuit and looking for the opportunity to make the move. It would come and he would never look back, leading the next 14 laps to victory.
For Week Two, the league headed to Road America for what would prove to be a demanding circuit to master for most of the drivers, with a range of speeds. The race was highlighted by a dominating performance and victory from long-time Champion Motorsports member Devin Obrien. Starting from the pole, Obrien would led all 18 laps of the race, gapping the second place car of Tom Cinnamon by 31.639 seconds by race end. With a solid run in Week One at Watkins Glen and the victory at Road America, Obrien established himself as the man to beat early in the season.
The third race of the Champion Mustang Challenge saw a first time community winner with Dan Burke grabbing the victory at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Burke had an incredible race battle with Obrien on the historic Laguna Seca circuit, where the Mustangs really shined their American Muscle. The event featured extremely close racing up front all night, with Burke and Obrien separated by less than a second at the checkered flag.
Taking a look at the Championship through three events, Obrien is off to a great start leading overall with 32 points. He has finished no worse than P3 in each of the three races and has established himself as the favorite for the title at this point in the season. Burke, with his win at Laguna Seca is lurking in second position in the standings, 11 points behind Obrien. Tom Cinnamon, a long-time Champion Motorsports league member is in a solid third position continuing to gain solid finishes quietly and possibly on the verge of breaking out for a big performance heading into Week 4 at his home track of Mosport in Canada.
Here is a look at the full standings through three weeks:
About the Champion Motorsports Mustang Challenge
Champion Motorsports simulation racing community is currently in their fifth iRacing season since the service launched hosted racing. With over 300 community members and established in 1999 the Champion community is one of the most established of its kind for private leagues. More information on the Mustang Challenge as well as registration is available at http://cmsracing.com