FRN Driver Diary Road Racing — 30 March 2011


Welcome to another new FRN Blogger, Michele Abbate!

My name is Michele Yvette Abbate and I was born in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 9th in 1988.  I have one brother named Michael who is two years older than me; and both my mom and dad, Mike and Judi Abbate, have had an interest in motorsports throughout their lives. 
While growing up my brother and I were surrounded with a competitive atmosphere, between each other and others.  We both attended Saint Viator Catholic School and I was in 2nd grade when my brother received his first go kart on his 10th birthday.  Watching him progress in racing throughout middle school, I began to develop my urge to race; every year for Christmas I would have a go kart at the top of my list for Santa.
 
As I continued to watch my brother excel in his racing career I relieved my competitive aspirations by playing basketball from middle school to high school.  Attending Bishop Gorman Roman Catholic High School I was awarded MVP of the year for my three years of playing.  When my brother was 16 he was chosen as a candidate (the youngest) in the first Red Bull F1 Driver’s search in 2002.  This was one of his many accomplishments that opened my eyes to the opportunities that can be reached in the racing industry.
 
Before earning my driver’s license I drove karts at a hobby level.  Never given the chance to even sit in my brother’s race kart; I found other ways to get in the hot seat.  At 15 ½ to the day, I had my scheduled DMV appointment and earned my driver’s license.  Once driving for a little over a year in an SUV, I “upgraded” to a 4 door sedan and this is where my passion began to emerge.
I launched myself into the world of motorsports by entering in my first Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) regional autocross event in December of 2004.  This was one of few events my dad came with me to the track, but I do not think he had any idea of what he was in for… Thinking my interests would probably fade out after doing it a few times.


Winning the championship in my class my first full season was just my beginning.  After watching my brother racing open wheel to wheel racing for so many years I subconsciously adopted the foundational concepts of racing; watching the racing line, how to be patient and wait for the right opportunities to pass, etc.  I felt at home when racing my car.
From late 2004 to 2006 my main focus of driving was satisfied through the Las Vegas Region SCCA (LVRSCCA) autocrosses.  In early 2007 I entered my first national SCCA event by an invitation to drive the same make and model of the car I had been racing, but by a different owner.  I also progressed through 2008 with more karting experience through indoor track events, including a national championship series.


In 2009 I expanded even farther by putting myself on track with road course events.  My first road course event was in April of 2009 on a 3.1 mile course in Pahrump, Nevada at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch.  I also competed in Subiefest with help from Crawford Performance, as well as several Redline Time Attack events. I have continued to do this by participating in as many organizations that hold events as I can.  Anytime on the track improves my skills and I make every effort to be there whenever possible.
In 2010 I made it a point to prioritize my life.  It was my fourth year at the University of Nevada of Las Vegas, and I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in Communication with my minor in Marketing this December.  In addition, I continued to take advantage of every racing opportunity I found to better my skills and augment my experience.  Working full time throughout my college education and being engrossed in full time school kept my time management skills and determination sharp.  This was a very significant year for me because my hard work had started to pay off. I became the first female to win at a Redline Time Attack event at Infineon Raceway, in the rain!  And I also was the first and only female to race the well known Crawford Performance 2008 Subaru STi Time Attack car.


For this year I am the contracted driver for the new 2011 Scion Racing Scion tC prepared by Crawford Performance. My first race was at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA on March 5-6th, where I placed 3rd for both events in the TT-E class. I will continue to compete in the Socal NASA Time Trials road course series events and continue to gain more seat time, experience, and exposure by excelling in my motorsports career by competing at both a regional and national level. I plan to continue to do this by entering competitive road course, time attack/trial, and road course events with my personal car, my 2003 Mazdaspeed Protégé, (in addition to the tC) which is the same car I started my career in during 2005.
Racing has always been my dream and passion but it was not my reality until I stopped watching my brother and took the action myself to get on the track.  My dad and brother deal with my addiction for racing, and my mom will never understand why I choose to buy parts for my car rather than a cute designer handbag…. Six years later I am still attending the same autocross events in addition to taking five hour road trips solo, just to get a little more seat time.  The track is where I belong and it fuels all of my motivation in life.


I look forward to reading and posting more on FRN!  Thanks so much for taking an interest in my story and I’m anxious to see each new post!  Good luck girls!
More info at:  www.AbbateMotorsports.com
www.facebook.com/AbbateMotorsports
www.twitter.com/MSPM1chele

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