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"Welk Tops Dresang in Season Finale"
ROCKTON, Ill. - UEMSI Motorwerks drivers Steve Welk and Jacques Dresang finished one-two in the 2006 season-ending SCCA Chicago Region Fall Sprints held at Blackhawk Farms Raceway on Oct. 29.
After qualifying first and second, Welk and Dresang both set personal best lap times around the 1.9 mile facility on the path to UMW's first ever SCCA triumph, captured by Welk.
"It was really good to end the season with a victory; it shows how much work the team put into the cars throughout the first season for UMW in SCCA competition," Welk said. "I think my car alone went 2.2 sec. quicker since the start of the year, something I think we can all take great pride in going into the 2007 season."
For Dresang, the Fall Sprints result capped off an eventful first season. "After a year like Steve and I have had, it is nice to know that things can end on a high note." Dresang said. "We tested at Heartland Park three weeks before the Runoffs, and I think that test was the turning point in my year, as it was really the first time I really was able to have my car handle how I wanted it to."
Dresang captured his first pole of the year on August 25 during the SCCA Chicago Region Kettle Moraine Regional. After leading half the race, the Plymouth, Wis. driver fell to third position with a failing differential.
"The Kettle Moraine race was a great run for us," Dresang said. "Michael Argetsinger qualified Steve's car in the second position, showing that both of the team cars are strong contenders."
Due to an earlier incident this season at O'Reilly Raceway Park during a Central Division national event, neither Welk nor Dresang had enough points to make it to the season-ending Runoffs at Heartland Park. During the test session the team took part in prior to the event at HPT, Welk clocked in a lap that would have put the Elkhart Lake, Wis. native in 12th position in qualifying for the event.
Although it is a mere comparison, such results will be looked at as highly possible for 2007. The duo of Welk and Dresang will again pair up for the UMW squad in the Spec Miata category, and with the gains picked up at the end of the 2006 season, the 2007 season will shadow the sharp learning curves the team faced this season.
The 2007 Central Division has yet to be announced, but it looks as if the team will compete at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis., Blackhawk Farms Raceway in Rockton, Ill., and Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minn. during the 2007 season.
Established in 1996, UEMSI Motorwerks is a racing organization that competes in the Sports Car Club of America. Team drivers Steve Welk and Jacques Dresang compete in the Spec Miata category, where they campaign matching McLaren-orange Mazda Miatas in SCCA Club Racing national and regional events throughout the Central Division and at select events around the nation.
Steve Welk has been involved in Motorsports for 16 years. Starting his career at the age of eight, Welk has remained focused on his goal of being a professional racecar driver since. In 2006, Welk formed Linear Sport, a driver development company that specializes in helping young drivers develop their racing skills. For more information on Steve Welk, please visit his official web site at www.SteveWelk.com.
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