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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 25, 2005
AUSTIN, TX – Greg Bell’s Leading Edge Motorsports team brought in talented
driver, Tad Funakoshi, to compete for the STARS finale race win at Iron
Rock Raceway in Austin, TX. The team scored the pole position and
second-place overall in the tough ICC shifterkart class and looks at
campaigning the full 2006 STARS championship.
“We were originally trying to get this deal lined up for the Infineon
round but we couldn’t get all the equipment ready in time,” said Bell. “We
decided to focus all of our attention on making a big impact at the STARS
finale in Austin, TX. Tad really only had about 4 hours of testing on the
Intrepid, but we worked very well together and got things sorted quickly.
We were actually pretty fast right out of the trailer, which is always a
good sign.”
Champion Racing did a great deal to assist in the two weeks leading up to
the STARS finale, including transporting the kart to the track while Bell
worked on tuning the chassis to Tad’s liking. Tad worked with his
Swedetech TM and never had any engine issues all weekend. The combination
worked well as Funakoshi was at the top of the time charts throughout
Friday’s practice sessions in the ultra-competitive ICC class. He then
out-qualified STARS ICC Champion, Alex Speed to take pole position heading
into the pre-final. Funakoshi got a slow start but recovered to finish
second in the pre-final.
| At the start of the
final, Funakoshi made several bids for the lead looking for every
opportunity to overtake for the top spot. Slight contact bent one of
the kingpin bolts on the Leading Edge Motorsports prepared Intrepid,
but that didn’t slow Funakoshi’s blistering pace as he hounded
eventual winner, David Jurca, for the win, finishing second by only
a .2-of-a-second margin. “I can’t be more excited to have
such a strong race,” said Funakoshi. “We came out
swinging and nearly won one of the most competitive races of the
year in our |
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| first race together. I really have to
thank Greg Bell and Leading Edge for all his work as well as
Champion Racing.” |
“I can’t be more excited to have such a strong race,” said Funakoshi. “We
came out swinging and nearly won one of the most competitive races of the
year in our first race together. I really have to thank Greg Bell and
Leading Edge for all his work as well as Champion Racing.”
For Greg Bell, this has been a normal occurrence to reappear after a
hiatus from national competition to put a driver back on top. After
spending nearly two years developing his company’s local and regional
customer service, Bell and the Leading Edge Motorsports team has reemerged
as a national contender.
“It certainly feels good to get back out to the pro events and stand up on
top of the podium,” said Bell. “Tad did an incredible job and we hope to
plan an assault on the 2006 STARS Championship. We always have fun when we
go race, so if that sounds intriguing to any drivers out there, call the
shop.”
About Leading Edge Motorsports
In 1995, Greg Bell searched for a better way to support his passion for
racing and formed Leading Edge Motorsports, an official Trackmagic dealer.
The following year, Leading Edge Motorsports became a full-time endeavor
for Greg Bell and focusing all his attention on his customers became a top
priority. Years later, Leading Edge Motorsports has developed into the top
Trackmagic dealer in North America and one of the most successful karting
programs in the country, with customers and team drivers enjoying more
successes on a national level than most any other kart shop and/or factory
supported effort. Greg Bell gives special attention to his customers and
team drivers, utilizing his vast knowledge of the products he carries.
Bell has helped guide young racers to the top of the karting ranks. Such
drivers as 2000 ProMoto World Champion Bobby Wilson, multiple ProMoto Tour
winner Trevor McAlister and 2001 ProMoto Tour runner-up Ron White have
benefited from the knowledge and experience that Leading Edge Motorsports
provide. Greg Bell's passion for racing can be seen in the success of each
and every one of his customers.
For more information, contact Leading Edge Motorsports at 209-369-0921 or
visit us online at
www.leadingedgemotorsports.com.
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