Jose M. Castellano (#99 PFM in front) Richard Stephens (#56 FM in front) Photo by Birds Eye Photography

Both Southwest Formula Mazda Series’ (Standard FM and Pro FM) traveled to Hallett Motor Racing Circuit on
July 20-22 for some awesome racing. I must say that Hallett is not the same without our old friend Mike Stephens.
Mike, long time manager and owner of Hallett, took the checkered flag and crossed the finish line last month after
fighting an undiagnosed neurological illness for several months. His absence was felt, but wife Connie and sons Shayne
and Scott are carrying on his legacy with the same grace, friendliness and humor in which we had become accustomed. We
will never forget Mike Stephens and feel very privileged to have known him.

Jose M. Castellano Photo by Birds Eye Photography

On Saturday, A1 Grand Prix driver Nur Ali qualified on the pole with Richard Stephens (Tulsa, Ok) in 2nd.
16 year old Austin Snader (Brookshire, Tx) qualified 3rd. The race was over for Richard Stephens after one lap when
his FM got stuck in 4th gear. Soon thereafter, Ali (Ft. Worth, Tx) started having problems with his FM and started
falling back. He pulled in after Lap 6. Snader then took the lead with Davis Parr (Dallas, Tx) and Kendall Smith
(Dallas, Tx) in 2nd and 3rd. Snader, leading his first FM Series race, spun out on Lap 15 and couldn’t restart. Davis
Parr won the race with Kendall Smith finishing 2nd. Roger Addison (Edmond, OK) finished 3rd. On Sunday, Richard Stephens
qualified on the pole with Davis Parr in 2nd and Austin Snader 3rd. Snader, who also wrenches on his car, knew immediately
that he had forgotten to tighten the jets he had replaced that morning. After a quick pit stop, he was back on the track,
but 3 laps down. Nur Ali, starting from the back due to mechanical problems during qualifying, made his way up to 2nd place.
Stephens, Ali, and Davis Parr had a great battle going on. But on Lap 16, Ali’s mechanical problems returned and he was done.
Richard Stephens won the race with Parr in 2nd and newcomer Kendall Smith in 3rd. Zavelson, with Hallett being his 2
permitted “drops”, continues to hold the lead of this Championship race with Parr in 2nd and Walter Gragert in 3rd.

Davis Parr Photo by Birds Eye Photography

Jose M. Castellano (getting much more comfortable with his car) won both days in the SWFM Pro Car Series moving him
into the lead over Keith Young for the Championship. Bobby Gordon moved into 2nd place in the Series with Keith Young
dropping to 3rd.

Both Series will conclude at Texas Motor Speedway on Sept 1st with cash, prizes, and trophies being presented that evening.