Phoenix, Arizona (January 22) – Grant Ryley, new recruit for the World Speed Motorsports Formula Mazda team, kicked-off the new year by leading the World Speed team to two back-to-back second place finishes in last weekend’s SCCA Double National at Phoenix International Raceway.
Ryley, who qualified and finished second in both Saturday’s and Sunday’s events, will contest the 1999 Star Formula Mazda Pro Series – West championship with Chuck West’s World Speed Motorsports team.
“This was a good first time in the car,” said Ryley, of Saratoga, California. “First place would have been better, but I really can’t complain. In fact, we missed the pole for the second race by just eight one-hundredths of a second. Being with a team of World Speed’s caliber definitely has its advantages. Telo did an awesome job of engineering the car. Pairing with someone with his level of expertise can only lead to good things. I’m excited about starting the Star series and look forward to continued guidance by Chuck West.”
“Grant was very impressive,” said West. “This was an excellent debut for him. It was also my first time working with him and it was terrific to see him fit right in with the team. He’s going to do very well with Jeff Bucknum in the Star series. They share a similar driving style, so they’ll be able to compare a lot of set-up information. It’s going to be a great year.” World Speed veteran Bryan Willman captured fourth place on the second day along with Frank McCormick – who finished fifth on day one.
After finishing third in last year’s Star series with one win and two poles, Bucknum is considered a favorite to capture the 1999 series championship in only his second year of Formula Mazda competition. Joining Ryley and Bucknum on the World Speed team is rookie Pierre Ehret, as well as returning veterans Willman, McCormick, Ginni Swanton and Debbie Girdler.
The 1999 Star Formula Mazda Pro Series – West is scheduled to begin April 24 at Buttonwillow Raceway Park near Bakersfield, California.