SONOMA, Calif. -- Southern California’s Pat Barrett claimed the points lead in the SCCA Formula Russell Championship, presented by Yokohama, with a victory and a podium finish at Infineon Raceway, March 11-12.

The 16-year-old newcomer from Los Osos was able to hold off Chuck Hulse (Anaheim) for the win on Sunday when leader Lorenzo Mandarino (Burnbay, British Columbia) suffered a mechanical failure after a restart. Hulse and Barrett entered the weekend tied for the points lead in the championship series.

“I could not catch Lorenzo without the benefit of a yellow flag” Barrett said after the race. “His car started to falter just after the restart and I was able to get by him in the esses.”

Barrett has enjoyed an impressive start to the 2006 Formula Russell Championship season, which is hosted by the Jim Russell Racing Schools, including four podium finishes and two victories.

“My goal was to come out strong immediately and so far it has worked,” said Barrett. “Now I need to be consistent and finish well for the rest of the season.”

Barrett (67) now holds a slim five-point lead over Hulse (62) in the chase for the overall championship. Mandarino (52 points) sits in third place after winning Saturday’s main event. Nathan Thompson (52) and Los Gatos’ Steve Hill (41) round out the top five.

The SCCA Formula Russell Championship also features competition in categories separated by age. Mark Nason (Reno) currently holds the points lead in the Masters division (drivers 40-49 years old), while Hulse maintains his lead in the Grand Masters division (drivers over 50).

Round three of the SCCA Formula Russell Championship, presented by Yokohama, will take place at Infineon Raceway, April 8-9. For more information on this series, please visit www.jimrussellusa.com.

Championship Standings
2006 SCCA Formula Russell Championship
Presented by Yokohama

Round 2 of 9

Overall

1. Pat Barrett, Los Osos, CA - 67 points
2. Chuck Hulse, Anaheim, CA - 62
3. Lorenzo Mandarino, Burnbay, BC - 52
4. Nathan Thompson, Garland, TX - 45
5. Steve Hill, Los Gatos, CA - 41

Masters Division - drivers 40 to 49

1. Mark Nason, Reno, NV - 67 points
2. David Martinez, Tiburon, CA - 55
3. Bruce Chapman, Pasadena, CA - 44
4. Jo Jo Saunders, San Francisco, CA, - 28
5. Don Stewart, Pittsburgh, CA - 26

Grand Masters Division - drivers 50 and over

1. Chuck Hulse, Anaheim, CA - 80 points
2. Ken Snyder, San Andreas, CA - 40
3. John Shafer, Seattle, WA - 33
4. Rich Eberhardt, Livermore, CA, - 33
5. David Kirsch, San Jose, CA - 30

Mechanics Challenge Series

1. Nathan Thompson, Garland, TX - 45 points
2. Eric Cheever, Franktown, CO - 38
3. John Tyler - 23
4. Stephen Dix, Tiburon, CA - 21
5. Patrick Bedford - 17

About the SCCA Formula Russell Championship

The SCCA Formula Russell Championship Series, presented by Yokohama, is an “Arrive-and-Drive” series consisting of 17 races conducted over the course of nine weekends for amateur racers and aspiring professionals serious about competitive racing. In addition to the overall championship, the series features a Masters division for drivers ages 40 to 49 and a Grand Masters division for drivers ages 50 and older. Past champions include Scott Speed, J.R. Hildebrand, and Dane Cameron.

About the Jim Russell Racing Schools --
British Racing legend Jim Russell created the racing school industry by opening the first racing school in England in 1957. For almost five decades, the Jim Russell Racing Schools has set the standard for teaching true racing techniques to aspiring professional and amateur drivers or people looking for the experience of a lifetime. In addition to its racing programs, the School offers defensive driving courses for teenagers and Corporate Driving Adventures for businesses. In 2002 the school opened the largest karting school in North America. It employs full-time professional instructors and offers more seat time in the most powerful, well-maintained race cars of any driving school. The Jim Russell Racing Schools operate from their home base at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California, 30 minutes north of San Francisco.