Michael Montelo - "GT1 Dreams"
in his own words
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My name is Michael Montelo, and I drive for the Montelo Racing Team. I started my racing career when I was 7 years of age. My older brothers, Anthony and Joey began karting 2 years earlier. |
 Michael dreaming of his first Corvette (4) |
 Winning = Happy! (7) |
For 2 years, I had to watch along the sidelines. Everyone else was having a blast, but I was always bored. It was only until my parents discovered a go-karting facility called Chicago Indoor Racing, and that's where it began. |
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At the age of 7, I began a 2-day open wheel driving school where I learned how to control a kart. A few months later when racing season started, I went to my very first autocross. |
 Michael's first podium (7) |
 Michael ready to race (7) |
At first I was very afraid I would crash and break something because this kart was not protected by plastic siding like the ones at CIR. But once I got the hang of it, it wasn't scary at all. |
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Since we had 3 people driving the same kart, changeovers were a huge hassle, but not for long. After my first year of karting, Anthony and Joey got new karts and I was stuck with the old one. |
 Belaclavaman (7) |
 Michael racing at Chicago Indoor (7) |
During my 2ND year of karting, I went to 2 different racetracks, one in Norway Illinois, and one in Dousman, Wisconsin. The first time I went to Dousman, I drove the kart around the track during practice sessions. |
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As I was racing around the track, having loads of fun, the chain slid off the clutch and tore up the engine. The kart stopped with a high-pitched whine. I was done. |
 Michael's first ride complete with pedal extensions (8) |
 Michael autocrossing (8) |
Weeks later, after the kart was ruined, my father got me a new, faster one. With a newer kart and good engine, I did much better than before. |
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After Joey moved up to a different class to compete with Anthony at all the races we went to on my 2ND year of driving, I could finally win some races.
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 Michael at the USGP with ear plugs! (8) |
 Michael racing at Chicago Indoor (8) |
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But now, instead of just practicing, I raced at Dousman this year. I have been very successful on this year: 2007. |
 Michael racing at Badger Raceway (8) |
 Michael's new ride at Norway (9) |
I'm a part of SCCA, TSSCC, and I sometimes go to WAI autocross. I have won every SCCA autocross for my class this year so far. |
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More About Michael Montelo Hobbies: Gaming, taking care of the family cat, collecting, and Pokemon. Family: Enzo Montelo (cat), Michael, Joey, Anthony, Laurie, and Pat. |
 Michael dicing at Norway (9) |
 Ferrari Fan (9) |
 Michael wins at the 2006 CenDiv (9) |
 Michael autocrossing at Route 66 Raceway (9) |
 Michael winning at the Milwaukee Tour (10) |