Bumgarners make waves in US, Canada

Racing siblings Michele and Mark Bumgarner made big strides in the international scene following their marked improvements in separate races in US and Canada last month.

Both Michele and Mark Bumgarner, backed up by Petron XCS, Spectrum-OSO Asia, Department of Tourism, Molecule, City Kart Racing, Oakley and Goodyear, unveiled impressive performances in their respective prestigious racing events that kept them on track in their dream of making it big in formula racing.

Michele, the two-time Asian karting queen, unveiled great progress in the Star Mazda Series held at the historic Watkins Glen Circuit in New York.

The red flag track conditions made it difficult for Michele who never got the opportunity for a personal fast lap and ended 19th in the qualifying round. But she came as the second best driver for improving positions during the race as she pulled a good start passing one driver after another despite a slipping clutch on the sixth lap.   

With a fast laptime of 1:49.490, she moved up to 11th place even though the uphill portions of the track slowed her down and was about to strike for 10th place with two laps to go when a mechanical problem beyond her control dropped her down to a 19th place finish among 23 entries.

Mark Bumgarner also had an impressive run at the Skip Barbers National Series held at the famed Mosport Race track outside of Toronto Canada, which is known for the drafting on the long backstretch portion and drivers have to be able to lock on to someone for the quickest laps.

Getting himself adjusted quickly to the new track, Mark managed to move up third during the practice before qualifying ninth. 

In the race proper, he finished eighth in 23:34.550 but in the second race he had an unavoidable collision that forced him out.