I Dig Sports
Trungelliti's 'principled stand' finally backed by integrity unit
Marco Trungelliti has received support from the Tennis Integrity Unit more than two weeks after complaining of feeling abandoned after blowing the whistle on match-fixing in the sport.
The 29-year-old world number 130 acted as a witness in last year's prosecution of three fellow Argentine players for gambling-related activities.
He said he was criticised for his actions, with his motives questioned.
But the TIU says he acted with "the best interests of the sport" in mind.
"His courageous and principled stand against those who seek to corrupt is to be admired and commended," the organisation added in a statement.
The three tennis players sanctioned former world number 78 Nicolas Kicker, ex-world number 269 Patricio Heras and Federico Coria, whose career-high ranking is 223.
Last June, Kicker was banned for six years, with three of those suspended, while Heras was banned for five years, with two suspended. Coria was banned for eight months, with six months suspended.
Trungelliti, who famously drove all night from Barcelona to Paris to claim a place in the main draw of the 2018 French Open, subsequently found himself shunned by some of his fellow professionals and said he repeatedly asked without success for the TIU to support him.
The TIU explained in their statement why they had not publically defended Trungelliti earlier.
"As part of its confidentiality policy, the TIU's intention is at all times to protect the identity of witnesses, and in line with that has not commented on or confirmed Mr Trungelliti's involvement in these cases," they said.
"However, the TIU understands that Mr Trungelliti has subsequently been subject to strong personal criticism and that his motives for co-operating with the TIU have been questioned.
"The TIU unreservedly condemns the treatment received by Mr Trungelliti and would like to place on record its appreciation of his support and full compliance with the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program."
Returning to duty Nadeen El-Dawlatly aiming for African Games
by Olalekan Okusan, ITTF-African Press Officer
Hard work to make comeback but most certainly Nadeen El-Dawlatly is determined.
“I feel that I have so much more to give, a lot of targets in my mind to achieve. My husband and my family are motivating me to come back even stronger. I feel so motivated, it was hard at the beginning but with some fitness training and a lot of practising, it gets better.” Nadeen El-Dawlatly
A daily routine has been established.
“I wake up early morning, go to work then I return to my baby to spend some time with her and later take her with me to practise. I literally missed everything; from the physical pain and muscle soreness to the heavy training and also I missed so much the competitions and representing my country.” Nadeen El-Dawlatly
The African Games is the priority.
“I am doing all I can to be able to be ready for the 2019 African Games in Morocco. The tournament is of course my focus and I mainly focus on getting back to my shape and to be fit again. My husband and my family are doing everything they can for me to get back stronger. They are helping me in every possible way. I am really grateful and I would not do any of this without them.” Nadeen El-Dawlatly
Notably at the 2015 African Games staged in Brazzaville, Nadeen El-Dawlatly was a member of the Egyptian gold medal winning women’s team. In addition she was the women’s singles runner up beaten by colleague Dina Meshref in the final, the player she partnered to runners up spot in the women’s doubles event.
Second round places decided, impressive performance raise eyebrows
Contrary to status, first place in the initial stage group was secured; soon after opening round wins were secured.
Anastasiia Beresnova beat England’s Denise Payet (11-6, 11-5, 11-9, 8-11, 5-11, 11-7) to reserve her second round place; similarly Vlada Voronina accounted for Portugal’s Raquel Martins (12-14, 11-4, 11-8, 11-4, 11-1). Meanwhile, in a similar vein Megan Gidney accounted for Spain’s Ana Maria Vertiz (11-7, 9-11, 11-4, 13-11, 3-11, 13-11); Poon Yat ended the hopes of the Czech Republic’s Gabriela Stepanova (10-12, 11-5, 11-6, 8-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9).
Somewhat surprise names to appear in round two; not where the very elite are concerned. Germany’s Franziska Schreiner, the top seed, duly finished in first place in her group and thus received a direct entry to the second round, as did Chinese Taipei’s Tsai Yu-Chin, the no.2 seed. In a similar vein the Russian combination of Ekaterina Zironova and Elizabet Abraamian, the respective third and fourth seeds, advanced to round two.
Surprise outcomes in the junior girls’ singles event; in the junior girls’ doubles, there was one casualty of note. The no.4 seeds, the combination of Brazil’s Giulia Takahashi and Laura Tiefenbrunner, experienced a narrow second round defeat at the hands of Chinese Taipei’s Chen Tsai-Nai and Liu Ru-Yun (11-8, 5-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-9).
Problems for the fourth seeds, there were no such difficulties for the remaining leading pairs. Elizabet Abraamian and Ekaterina Zironova, the top seeds, duly progressed to the quarter-final round as did Franziska Schreiner in partnership with colleague Anastasia Bondareva. Likewise, the Tsai Yu-Chin in in harness with compatriot Huang Yu-Jie, the no.3 seeds, duly progressed.
The junior girls’ singles and junior girls’ doubles events will be played to a conclusion on Thursday 2nd May.
In the opening round, Guillaume Alcayde beat Croatia’s Lovro Zovko (11-8, 11-6, 7-11, 11-1, 8-11, 9-11, 11-1), Iker Gonzalez accounted for England’s Ethan Walsh (11-9, 11-7, 11-9, 11-9).
Likewise, Huang Yan-Cheng overcame the Czech Republic’s Radim Bako (11-6, 11-9, 11-7, 8-11, 7-11, 11-7), Dominic Jonack ended the hopes of Austria’s Fabian Fritz (11-8, 11-9, 11-9, 12-10). Meanwhile for Vladislav Makarov, he experienced the easiest journey of all; he received a direct entry to the second round.
Surprise names to progress to round two; there were surprise names to fall in round one. Spain’s Marc Gutierrez, the no.9 seed, was beaten by Frenchman Jukes Cavaille (11-5, 11-7, 11-8, 11-6), Hungary’s Oliver Both, the no.10 seed, lost to Russia’s Nikita Moshkov (10-12, 11-5, 11-7, 11-6, 11-5).
Similarly, Portugal’s Samuel da Silva and Goncalo Gomez experienced unexpected defeats. Samuel da Silva, the no.13 seed, suffered at the hands of the Czech Republic’s Radek Skala (10-12, 11-9, 12-10, 9-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-9), asdid Goncalo Gomez, the no.14 seed, when facing Peru’s Carlos Fernandez (11-8, 13-11, 11-9, 9-11, 8-11, 6-11, 11-9). Defeat for four seeds and there was defeat for one more; Canada’s Terence Yeung, the no.15 seed, was beaten by Russia’s Sergey Ryzhov (11-7, 12-14, 17-15, 11-9, 11-9).
Upsets in the junior boys’ singles event; in the junior boys’ doubles there were even greater surprises.
Germany’s Hannes Hoermann and Kay Stumper, the no.2 seeds, experienced a third round exit. They were beaten by the French pairing formed by Jules Cavaille and Denis Dorescu (11-9, 7-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-7). A third round departure for Hannes Hoermann and Kay Stumper; for Spain’s Marc Gutierrez and Alberto Lillo, the no.4 seeds, it was farewell one round earlier. They lost Germany’s Dominik Jonack and Tom Mykietyn (11-8, 11-7, 9-11, 11-8), who then promptly suffered against the French pairing of Alex Lebrun and Fabio Rakotoarimana (8-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-9).
Problems, not for the combination of Brazil’s Guilherme Teodoro and Moldova’s Vladislav Ursu, the top seeds, nor for Hungary’s Csaba Andras and Oliver Both, the no.3 seeds; both pairs reserved quarter-final places.
The junior boys’ singles and junior boys’ doubles events conclude on Thursday 2nd May.
Qualification update day two: Seamaster 2019 ITTF Challenge Serbia Open
Nigerians excels
Nigeria’s Ismalia Akindiya and Olajide Omotayo raised the eyebrows in the opening preliminary round; they beat Hong Kong’s Kwan Man Ho and Li Hon Ming by the minimal two point margin in the decider (5-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9, 11-9).
A close call, it was the same for Japan’s Yuki Matsuyama and Masaki Takami; they needed the full five games to overcome Russia’s Ilya Isakov and Aleksandr Tuitiumov (16-14, 5-11, 6-11, 17-15, 11-6).
Latin Americans hold nerve
Argentina’s Gaston Alto in harness with Chile’s Nicolas Burgos maintained their nerve in the opening preliminary round, as did the latter’s colleagues Gustavo Gomez and Juan Lamadrid.
Gaston Alto and Nicolas Burgos withstood a spirited recovery by India’s Birdie Boro and Snehit Suravajjula to emerge successful by the very narrowest of margins (11-8, 13-11, 13-15, 9-11, 12-10); in a equally tense contest Gustavo Gomez and Juan Lamadrid accounted for Sweden’s Fabian Akerstrom and Willhelm Percan Kindblad (11-8, 8-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-9).
Vital second places
Players finishing in first and second positions in each group advanced to the main draw; the host nation’s Tijana Jokic, Croatia’s Hana Arapovic and Italy’s Li Hong Loan started play as the lowest ranked in their respective groups; they needed to win their concluding matches to secure the vital runners up spot.
All succeeded; Tijana Jokic beat Kazakhstan’s Gulchekhra Khusseinova (11-3, 11-5, 11-5), Hana Arapovic accounted for Slovakia’s Ema Labosova (11-6, 11-7, 12-14, 11-3); Le Thi Hong Loan ended the hopes of Anelia Lupulesku, like Tijana Jokic from Serbia (8-11, 11-9, 11-5, 5-11, 11-6).
Notable efforts secure top spots
Contrary to expectations India’s Krittwika Roy ended the initial phase matches in first place in her group; she concluded matters by beating Croatia’s Andrea Pavlovic (11-9, 6-11, 11-5, 12-10). Notably the finish was one step higher than her status predicted. However, she was not the only player who commenced as the second highest in the group phase to reserve top spot.
Hong Kong’s Zhang Wenling performed likewise, as did Russia’s Kristina Kazantseva and Anna Bikbaeva alongside Serbia’s Monika Knezevic and Aneta Maksuti.
In their concluding group contests, Zhang Wenling beat Spain’s Mariana Niguez (11-4, 11-2, 11-7), Kristina Kazantseva accounted for Kazakhstan’s Aisu Saparova (11-5, 11-2, 11-6); Anna Bikbaeva defeated Serbia’s Ivana Vejnovic (8-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-4). Likewise Monika Knezevic prevailed against Slovenia’s Ana Tofant (7-11, 11-8, 10-12, 11-9, 11-3), Aneta Maksuti succeeded in opposition to Japan’s Moe Nomura (11-8, 11-9, 12-10).
From third to first
Leili Mostafavi of France alongside the host nation’s Monika Knezevic and Japan’s Ari Abe started proceedings as the lowest rated players in their respective groups; all remained unbeaten to finish in first places.
In their concluding initial phase contests, Leili Mostafavi beat Spain’s Ana Garcia (11-5, 13-15, 11-9, 13-11), Monika Knezevic accounted for Slovenia’s Ana Tofant (7-11, 11-8, 10-12, 11-9, 11-3); Airi Abe over the host nation’s Andjela Menger (11-5, 11-5, 11-4).
Imposing performances
Unbeaten to date, as the initial phase matches concluded, a series of determined performances saw wins recorded against the highest rated players in their respective groups to secure top spots and main draw reservations.
Germany’s Nils Hohmeier beat Hong Kong’s Li Hon Ming (11-6, 7-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-7), Frenchman Jules Rolland overcame Canada’s Marco Medjugorac. Meanwhile, Kwan Man Ho balanced the books for Hong Kong by ending the hopes Saudi Arabia’s Ali Alkhadrawi (11-6, 12-14, 11-9, 11-9). Similarly, Russia’s Lev Katsman defeated Kazakhstan’s Denis Zholudev (11-6, 13-11, 11-7), Japan’s Kakeru Sone proved too strong for Italy’s Chen Shuainan.
Narrow margins secure first places
Only first place assured progress to the main draw, by the very narrowest of margins Japan’s Shogo Tahara and Slovenia’s Peter Hribar advanced. Furthermore, both beat the highest rated players in their respective groups to maintain their unbeaten records and reserve first places.
Shogo Tahara overcame Argentina’s Gaston Alto (11-13, 11-6, 16-14, 9-11, 12-10), Peter Hribar accounted for Germany’s Gerrit Engemann (11-8, 10-12, 11-6, 4-11, 13-11).
Vildan Gadiev returns to form
Having the previous day lost to Zhang Kai of the United States in five games (11-8, 8-11, 7-11, 11-8, 11-9), Russia’s Vildan Gadiev, the highest ranked player on duty needed an emphatic win to secure first place in his group.
He faced Saudi Arabia’s Abdulaziz Bu Shulaybi, the victor in three straight games (11-5, 27-25, 11-8) in opposition to Zhang Kai in the opening match in the group. Vildan Gadiev responded, he beat Abdulaziz Bu Shulaybi in straight games (11-4, 11-9, 11-2). Thus on games ratio (5:3) he secured first place in the group ahead of Abdulaziz Bu Shulaybi (3:3) and Zhang Kai (3:5).
Qualifiers decided
Leili Mostafavi of France beat Spain’s Ana Garcia (11-3, 14-12, 6-11, 11-8) in her concluding initial phase match; similarly, Russia’s Kristina Kazantseva accounted for Slovakia’s Nikoleta Puchovanova (11-5, 11-7, 11-6) but they were the only two names who started proceedings as the top ranked players in each of the eight groups to finish in first places.
Only the group winners gained main draw places. The previous day Serbia’s Tijana Jokic, Slovakia’s Natalia Grigelova, Croatia’s Hana Arapovic and Japan’s Moe Nomura, all the lowest rated players in their respective groups, had reserved top spots. On the second morning, starting the day the second rated, the host nation’s Sabina Surjan and Croatia’s Andrea Pavlovic followed suit.
Differing fortunes for hosts
Sabina Surjan booked her place in the main draw by upsetting the odds; in her concluding initial stage contest she beat Hungary’s Orsolya Feher (11-13, 11-2, 11-5, 11-9), the highest ranked player in her group to remain unbeaten and reserved top spot.
Alas for colleague, Izabela Lupulesku it was the opposite scenario. The leading name in her group, she was beaten by Croatia’s Andrea Pavlovic (11-7, 11-5, 6-11, 12-10).
Agony for Mudit Dani
India’s Mudit Dani completed his group on a high note; he beat Iran’s Amin Ahmadian in four games (11-7, 4-11, 13-11, 11-8) but it was not sufficient to gain a top two finish and thus progress to the main draw.
On the opening day he had suffered a straight games defeat at the hands of Romania’s Paul Mladin (11-5, 12-10, 14-12), who had then experienced defeat when facing Amin Ahmadian in four games (11-8, 7-11, 11-8, 11-5). Thus on games ratio it was first place for Paul Mladin (4:3) followed by Amin Ahmadian (4:4) and Mudit Dani (3:4).
Surprise first places
Contrary to expectations, Japan’s Shogo Tahara, Canada’s Jeremy Hazin and Russia’s Maxim Chaplygin, alongside Tian Ye of the United States emerged the players to secure first places in their respective groups; all remained unbeaten.
In their concluding matches, Shogo Tahara beat Chile’s Nicolas Burgos (7-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8, 11-7), Jeremy Hazin accounted for Serbia’s Dimitrije Levajac (11-9, 11-9, 11-8). Likewise, Maxim Chaplygin overcame England’s Matthew Daish (11-8, 11-9, 11-7), Tian Ye defeated Pero Tepic, like Dimitrije Levajac from the host nation (11-4, 11-3, 11-9).
The consolation for Nicolas Burgos and Dimitrij Levajac was that was their only defeat and thus they finished in second places and advanced to the main draw.
Great Day for Scotland as Top Seeds Seal Semi-final Spots
Scottish no. 1 Lisa Aitken (right) celebrates her win v Dutch no. 1 Milou vd Heijden
Scotland the Brave Steal the Show on Day One in Birmingham
By JULIE O’HARE
It was a great day for Scotland as the 2019 European Team Championships got under way at the Edgbaston Priory Club in Birmingham with their men’s and women’s teams both causing upsets that put them within reach of unexpected semi-final places.
In Division One, comprising eight teams in two pools with the top two going through to the semis, all the teams played twice today, with women’s top seeds England and France and men’s top seeds France and England both notching up two wins to all but seal their semi-final places – but defending champions France needed to rely on points countback after Scotland’s Rory Stewart fought back from two-nil down to force a 2-2 draw.
Top seeds and defending champions France eased to an opening Men’s Pool A win 4-0 over Hungary and then had that thrilling draw with the Scots in the second match to secure their last four place. Scotland played 8th seeded Hungary seeking a win that would put them through.
Scotland’s Greg Lobban (right) went toe to toe with Germany’s Simon Roesner, losing 3-1
Fifth seeds Scotland first met fourth seeds Germany – missing their injured number two Raphael Kandra – in a crucial opening encounter on the glass court, and emerged 3-1 winners thanks to victories from Alan Clyne, Rory Stewart and Angus Gillams who took the decisive final match in five games. Then came that thrilling fightback to thwart France.
Joel Makin for Wales was in impressive form v Declan James of England in the battle of the no. 1s
Men’s Pool B went the way of the top seeds as England beat first Switzerland and then Wales – although Joel Makin made the second seeds work for it as he despatched Declan James in the top string match – and third seeds Spain also won twice, setting up a pool decider with England tomorrow.
Tinne Gilis (in yellow) celebrates her win for Belgium on day 1
Women’s Pool B followed a similar pattern, with second and third seeds France and Belgium both notching up wins over Spain and Switzerland – Tinne Gilis the Belgian heroine as she won the deciding match in both encounters – and they’ll meet tomorrow, effectively to see who avoids hot favourites England in the semis.
British National Champion Tesni Evans despatched Sarah-Jane Perry in straight games
The English women didn’t have it all their own way in Pool A though, after a 3-0 win over Scotland they found themselves one-nil down to Wales after Tesni Evans beat Sarah-Jane Perry in straight games. They recovered to win, with Millie Tomlinson, late replacement for the injured Alison Waters winning twice on her European debut.
Edgbaston Priory’s own Millie Tomlinson made a double-winning debut start for England, here v Katriona Allen of Scotland
Scotland went on to shock fourth seeds Netherlands – who had beaten Wales in the opening match – as Lisa Aitken beat Milou van der Heijden 11-9 in the fifth and youngster Georgia Adderley got the better of Tessa ter Sluis in a tense four games.
With England to play the Netherlands and Wales meeting Scotland tomorrow, the semi-final places are still very much up for grabs.
More information, results and photos are available here:
Official website (featuring draws, results, photos and more):
www.edgbastonpriory.com/etc2019
Twitter: https://twitter.com/2019ETC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/etc2019
Daily updates via www.thesquashsite.com
Streaming: Watch the action via SquashTV: Facebook and SQUASHTV from 1-4 May
Pictures courtesy of Edgbaston Priory Club
Marco Mama: Worcester Warriors flanker sidelined for months following dead leg complication
Worcester Warriors hope flanker Marco Mama can be fit to start next season following an 80-mile dash for surgery on a 'dead leg' complication that will keep him out for "a good few months".
Mama, captain for the past two games after injuries to GJ van Velze and Ryan Mills, tried to run off his injury in Sunday's win over Gloucester.
But he was then taken to Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital after the match.
"The doctors did a fine job," said director of rugby Alan Solomons.
"We're very fortunate to have such fantastic hospitals in this country," he told BBC Hereford & Worcester.
"He got a dead leg and the consequence of it was that on Sunday night it became very painful for him and he was admitted to hospital.
"He was admitted to the John Radcliffe, but he was very well looked after. They are specialists in this sort of injury, and will do a further procedure later in the week.
"With those kind of injuries, he'll be out for a good few months. But there's no reason why he shouldn't be back for the start of next season."
Both Mama and Mills, who has had shoulder surgery, will miss their side's final two league matches - away at Northampton and then at home to reigning Premiership champions and European Champions Cup finalists Saracens.
But a boost for Warriors, who secured their Premiership survival on Sunday, is that they will have Van Velze fit following his arm injury in February.
Winger Perry Humphreys will have an ankle operation during the summer but he will be fine for the last two matches, while Scott van Breda also needs a shoulder operation.
Wales have confirmed that defence coach Shaun Edwards will leave after the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
Edwards, who had been offered a new contract by Wales, decided not to join rugby league side Wigan as head coach.
The 52-year-old has also been linked with France's national union team as well as some English Premiership clubs.
"After more than 10 years with Wales this has been an incredibly difficult decision to reach but I won't be renewing my contract," Edwards said.
"I would like to thank Warren [Gatland, Wales head coach] and the WRU [Welsh Rugby Union] for the opportunity I have had working with the national team.
"We have won four Six Nations titles during my time with Wales, but I sincerely hope and believe that the best days are yet to come and I am fully focused on seeing what we can achieve in Japan."
Edwards has helped Wales win four Six Nations titles - including three Grand Slams - since joining in 2008. His contract expires after the 2019 World Cup.
Gatland praised Edwards' contribution but said he was pleased his future had been settled.
"Shaun has been an important part of the Wales set up over the past 11 years for what has been a hugely rewarding time for Welsh rugby," Gatland said.
"It is pleasing that we can draw a line under the speculation regarding Shaun's future with this announcement and we can look forward to preparing the squad for the RWC and the tournament itself in Japan later this year."
Former Wasps coach Edwards had been due to take over at rugby league side Wigan in 2020 but revealed after the Grand Slam victory over Ireland in March that he had not signed a contract.
Byron Hayward, who has been part of future Wales coach Wayne Pivac's backroom staff at the Scarlets, is expected to follow Pivac to join Wales' coaching team.
"Shaun has a great history with Wales and has been part of a coaching team that has been very successful," Pivac said.
"When Shaun's availability post-RWC recently became apparent we worked with him to offer him a new contract which he was happy with and for him to be part of the new-look coaching team going forward.
"Shaun has decided not to take that contract, which we must respect and we wish Shaun the very best in what lies ahead for him post Wales."
SEBRING, Fla. – Sebring Int’l Raceway officials have confirmed that Super Sebring weekend will return March 18-21, 2020.
The doubleheader will feature the International Motor Sports Ass’n 68th annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Advance Auto Parts on March 21, preceded by the FIA World Endurance Championship 1000 Miles of Sebring on March 20.
The Super Sebring doubleheader endurance-race format made a successful debut in March at the legendary 3.74-mile road course and produced record-setting results on and off the track. Attendance, media coverage, sponsorships, hospitality and merchandise sales all surpassed previous records. I
n addition, the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Advance Auto Parts U.S. television viewership on CNBC and NBCSN saw a 46 percent increase over 2018.
Super Sebring was history making on the track as well as two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso broke Sebring’s all-time lap record and then went on to win the WEC 1000-mile race with co-drivers Sebastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima aboard their Toyota Hybrid prototype.
The next day, the 12-hour classic had seven different leaders and 28 lead changes, ending with the closest finish in Sebring history when the Whelen Engineering Cadillac prototype of Eric Curran, Pipo Derani and Felipe Nasr won by a margin of just over one second.
“A tremendous amount of work by the Sebring team and all parties involved went into making the 2019 SuperSebring weekend a success, and our goal is to build on that success and again surpass the milestones established this year,” said Wayne Estes, Sebring Int’l Raceway president and general manager. “Many of the improvements implemented to accommodate the increased attendance and additional teams were well received and we will continue to put both our long-term fans and our new fans first in planning for another spectacular weekend.”
Super Sebring 2020 will be round six of the 2019-2020 FIA WEC season and round two of the 2020 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
Supporting events at Super Sebring tentatively include the Alan Jay 120 for the Michelin Pilot Challenge and the IMSA Prototype Challenge.
“The 2019 Super Sebring weekend exceeded expectations and we are looking forward to working with the FIA World Endurance Championship and Sebring Int’l Raceway staffs to make the 2020 event even more spectacular for everyone involved,” said IMSA President Scott Atherton.
“The Sebring event this year was greatly enjoyed by competitors and fans alike, and it’s a real pleasure to come together again with our partners at IMSA and Sebring to put on an even better show for 2020,” added Gerard Neveu, CEO of the WEC.
Off track, Super Sebring 2020 will offer a varied lineup of fan activities and attractions including music and entertainment at the Spring Brake Party Zone, autograph sessions, manufacturer displays on the Midway and a display of historic racecars in the Panoz Gallery of Legends.
Tickets to Super Sebring 2020 are scheduled to go on sale by Sept. 1.
COMMERCE, Ga. — Paul Lee returns to NHRA Funny Car competition this weekend at Atlanta Dragway after a two-year absence from the sport.
Lee suffered a widow-maker heart attack at the end of 2016 and now returns as a team owner and a partner with Straightline Strategy Group. The Jim Oberhofer-tuned entry made successful test laps earlier this week and they are anxious to hit the track on Friday. Lee will be primarily backed by McLeod Racing.
Atlanta is the site of Lee’s first NHRA event victory in the Top Alcohol Funny Car class in 2004. Lee is optimistic as a team owner and driver.
“Atlanta has always been special to me because this is where I won my first national event,” says Lee, owner of McLeod Racing. “To be here is a feat in itself. The last 6 months, I have been training to be able to return to both the physical and mental condition it takes to successfully drive a Nitro Funny Car. I feel great and have never been more ready to return to my mission and purpose of racing.”
Over the winter, Lee announced his alliance with the Straightline Strategy Group. As a marketing partner, the McLeod team would like to welcome Lucas Oil, Weld Wheels, TMS Titanium, Champion Spark Plugs, and Mac Tools.
“Working with the SSG has been a great way to expand sponsorship partners,” says Lee. “We are able to appeal to big companies and be able to cater a sponsorship that works with their marketing and business objectives.”
Jim Oberhofer has also joined the team as crew chief. Lee and Oberhofer have a great friendship that started many years ago.
“I’m excited to work on a funny car, but I am more excited to work with Paul,” says Oberhofer. “It doesn’t matter what he drove. If he drove a Super Stock car I would be happy. Racing is about friendship and that is what the team is built from.”
On Monday after the 4-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, the team tested their new race car with two test hits. First was a 330 ft planned shutoff and the second, Paul went to the finish line with a 3.94 at 323 mph. Lee also reacted with .060’s on both runs.
“After Paul passed the finish line on the second pass, we are all pumped up to see what comes this weekend at Atlanta,” says Oberhofer. “With a driver who looks like he hasn’t stepped away a single day from the seat to the talented crew we have assembled, this race will be fun no matter what happens.”
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