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Monday, October 7, 2013

Auto Gallery Dominates Sonoma

Originally published in the June, 2013 issue of DrivenWorld
May 2, 2013

















Inspired by their strong start to the season, Auto Gallery Motorsports played momentum, focus, and team work to full advantage to achieve fantastic results in the third round of the North American Ferrari Challenge at Infineon Raceway, Sonoma.

Seasoned drivers John Farano and Carlos Kauffman both emerged victorious with race wins in the Trofeo Pirelli Championship.

Qualifying 2nd (Farano) and 4th (Kauffman), the Auto Gallery drivers staged an intense fight for the top step in Saturday’s first race.

Farano leads Kauffman through Infineon's Turn 2


Farano held off a tenacious charge from Kauffman to net his second win of the season, while Kauffman's determined drive gave Auto Gallery a spectacular one-two finish.

Farano, center, Kauffman, right, celebrate Auto Gallery 1-2 Finish

Farano stated, “This (458 Challenge) is probably one of the nicest racecars I’ve ever driven and I’ve driven a few . . . a very, very enjoyable car to drive.”    Farano relied on experience and race craft to hold off a determined attack from teammate Kauffman, keeping Carlos at bay entering the final chicane.

The team refused, however, to merely rest on their laurels.     A very determined Kauffman laid down an invincible pole position lap for Sunday’s second race, “Yeah, I’m happy to be able to do it finally in the season. I really had a great lap.  I heat up my tires, just came out, pretty nice, no traffic, inspired by yesterday’s race.”

Pole position assured, Kauffman parks his steed well prior the end of session

Carlos drove a hard race to keep Ferrari Quebec’s Emmanuel Anassi and Ferrari of Houston’s Mark McKenzie at bay, taking his second 2013 race win thus giving The Auto Gallery both races for the Sonoma round.    Commented Kauffman, “the cars are awesome, you know, it’s a Ferrari, you’re always glad to be on it.”

Kauffman leads Anassi and McKenzie
Kauffman accepts trophy for Sunday's victory from Ferrari of North America's Marco Mattiacci

The team also did well in the Coppa Shell (Amateur) category, with first timer Jim Weiland finishing sixth in class.

Auto Gallery Motorsports is a close knit, cohesive team.    Racing Director Ryan Negri and Crew Chief Rudy Courtade run a tightly focused operation, and are seasoned in what it takes to win.
Courtade and Negri: at home with The Auto Gallery
 


“Ryan and I have been business partners for about 22 years. We started with Go-Karts and progressed into formula cars. We did some Porsche Motorsport stuff and then jumped into the Ferrari Challenge in 2000.    We’re in a nice home with great support and a great dealership in the Auto Gallery,” said Courtade.



Negri added, “The biggest challenge really is staying ahead of the program, making sure the cars are ready, making sure that logistically we’re there, making sure that the cars are fast and reliable.”





Story & Images by
Jim Hunter


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