Sunoco's Ultra 94 team takes third consecutive championship

September 19, 2005



Sunoco's Ultra 94 team takes third consecutive championship
Marco Di Leo and Matt Pritiko finish one-two in Bridgestone Academy F2000 
series


MOSPORT, ONTARIO  Marco Di Leo drove home his championship in the 
Bridgestone Academy F2000 series with three wins on the final weekend of 
racing. "This is a great win for our Sunoco team," Di Leo said. "It has 
been a great experience for me. I have to thank Ron, Sunoco, Lee Bentham 
and David Empringham for all their help this year. I know Matt and I 
learned so much, and to finish one two is the best we could have done with 
this opportunity. Hopefully I will take what I have learned into next year."

Di Leo won seven of nine races, giving him a point total of 191. Teammate 
Matt Pritiko finished with 145 points and the David Preston Sportsmanship 
award. "This has been a great experience," Pritiko said. "I want to thank 
everyone for all their help. It has been a big learning experience for me, 
and I am happy we were able to uphold the honour of the Sunoco Team Ultra 
94 team."

The two drivers have enjoyed some great help during the year. Lee Bentham 
coached the two in the first two weekends, and David Empringham provided 
coaching for the final weekend. "First; this was a great experience for me, 
to come back to my roots here at the Bridgestone school," Empringham said. 
"Both drivers did fantastic jobs this weekend. Marco stood out with his 
natural ability, and made some great moves during the weekend. Matt showed 
strong determination, and showed his ability to perform."

Team leader Ron Fellows took in the final race which featured a bit of a 
twist. Bridgestone Academy head instructor Ugo Provencher took to the track 
for the final race, and it turned into a great battle between him and new 
series champ Di Leo. "It has been a very good year," Fellows said. "Both 
drivers did a great job. Both are very talented drivers. Today's last 
race  with Ugo  was a good learning experience for Marco."

The Sunoco Ron Fellow Karting Championship will hold its annual Evaluation 
Day on October 7, to decide who will be the Sunoco Team Ultra 94 drivers 
for 2006.


Sunoco Team Ultra 94 fast facts;
The Sunoco Team Ultra 94 drivers are chosen from over 300 drivers in the 
Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship Presented by Toronto Star Wheels. 
Out of the 300 drivers, ten are invited to the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting 
Championship Evaluation Day, and from those ten, two are invited to join 
the team. The selected drivers are given a fully funded scholarship to 
compete in the Bridgestone Academy F2000 series. Sunoco also sponsors the 
series and is proud of the school's 13 year injury free record, the 
personal coaching and the track time that the drivers receive.
In 2003, inaugural team members Matt Champagne and Jordy Vorrath finished 
one-two in the series, with Vorrath taking the 'most poles' award. Aaron de 
Heus came home fifth in the 2003 championship.
The 2004 members were 2003 Formula Senior Champion Juliana Chiovitti, 
multi-time Formula Senior race winner Frank Launi, who won the 2004 
championship and consistent Rotax Max Senior front runner Jamie Holtom. The 
2005 team consists of 2004 double class winner Marco Di Leo, Formula Senior 
race winner Matt Pritiko, and Formula Senior driver Robert Wickens.

For more information on Sunoco's Team Ultra 94 contact;
Russ Bond, 905-852-2900 r.bond@russbondagency.com
Brad Brown, k.andb.brown@sympatico.ca (416)-233-8727