Ontario FF: Another Win for Rzadzinski at Calabogie
Edmonton, AB. July 28th, 2010 – It was a bittersweet weekend for Stefan Rzadzinski on his second trip back to Calabogie Motorsports Park for Rounds 7 and 8 of the Ontario Formula Ford Championship. Backed by supporters Teckelklub and Cast Steel Products Engineering for the two events, Rzadzinski immediately hit the track as one of the cars to beat.
In Saturday qualifying, Rzadzinski put in a lap early, before having issues with lap traffic in the 15 minute session. The lap was just short of pole position, 0.049 seconds from the fastest time in the session. As the race commenced, Rzadzinski slotted into second position and was looking for a way by the leader on a track where passing is extremely difficult. As the lead car began to have issues, Rzadzinski went by and claimed the position while managing to pull away before lap traffic became an issue and ruined his gap to the lead. Rzadzinski was passed while attempting to get by the lap car, and the excitement of the race initiated. The Brian Graham Racing – Team Grote sponsored driver drove extremely hard to re-catch the leader and eventually made a pass on the second last corner of the track just before the last lap board came out. Rzadzinski held on to his second win of the year which was presented by Teckelklub, and he also set the race’s fastest lap in the process.
On Sunday, Rzadzinski was battling a slight car issue in qualifying, but the Brian Graham Racing – Team Grote crew gave him a strong enough car to pull together the fastest lap of the entire weekend, and Rzadzinski’s second pole position of the 2010 season. Unfortunately for Rzadzinski, he didn’t have a great jump off the start and fell into 2nd position. For 12 laps he was hounding the leader, but with few opportunities to pass, it was difficult to reclaim the lead. Finally, an opportunity to pass was seen and Rzadzinski attempted to make the move. Disappointingly, Rzadzinski and the lead driver tangled, ending both of their races.
“It was a bittersweet weekend for me. As my mechanic Ken Robins said, we could rate it at about 7 out of 10. Being the fastest driver on the weekend is only great when you manage to come home with both victories, and we weren’t able to do that. Saturday was a great and exciting race, but sombre for me as well. My sponsors, Larry and Anne Foster of The ABL Group, lost their son Jeff on Friday to cancer, and that win is dedicated to his memory. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Saturday’s race would not have been possible without the support of Teckelklub ( www.teckelklub.com ), and it was great to get a win with them as my presenting sponsor. It was a bit disappointing to not do the same for Cast Steel Products Engineering ( www.caststeelproducts.com ) on Sunday, but I have to thank them for their great support as well. Without them, I could not have been out competing this weekend! Along with them, I have to once again thank The ABL Group and SuperTint who have supported me for these past seasons. We also have new partners for the remainder of the season which include Shelemey Financial, Athletic Knit and Lube-X. I’m still searching for more partners to finish out the season, and I really look forward to it!”
Rzadzinski will be competing on August 7th and 8th at Mosport International Raceway for Rounds 9 and 10 of the Ontario Formula Ford Championship with Brian Graham Racing – Team Grote. Onboard videos from the racing weekend, including the crash from Sunday's race are available on
www.youtube.com/rzadracing and on
www.rzadracing.com.