the journey-News updates
Champions! MDiPaoloRacing Clinches 2025 F1600 PRO-AM Title
September 2025
Against a backdrop of blazing fall colours and high-stakes competition, Michael Di Paolo and the MDiPaoloRacing team staged a dramatic comeback at the 2025 Fall Classic, clinching the Formula 1600 PRO-AM Championship by just two points in a nail-biting finale at Circuit Mont-Tremblant.
The weekend capped off an emotional and financially challenging season for the team, who were forced to miss August’s Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières (GP3R) due to budget constraints - a decision that saw Di Paolo surrender a commanding 30-point lead in the championship standings and fall to third overall. But with grit, determination, and a well-timed surge, the team’s persistence paid off when it mattered most.
“Racing is incredibly expensive, and our partners’ support means more than they realize,” said Di Paolo. “We love this journey, and I’m constantly inspired by the sacrifices and effort this team puts in. But it’s tough. Missing GP3R hurt - not just in points, but emotionally.”
The Fall Classic remains a fan and driver favorite, thanks to the spectacular Laurentian scenery and the unique rhythm of Circuit Mont-Tremblant. But the weekend didn’t begin smoothly for the team.
An engine issue sidelined the No. 29 car for Friday’s first practice session. With time ticking, the crew worked feverishly to get the car back on track for Free Practice 2, where Di Paolo managed to log some solid laps between two red flags and heavy traffic.
Come Saturday morning, the team had the car dialed in for qualifying. Fighting through a traffic-laden session, Di Paolo posted a 1:49.914 - a personal best at Tremblant - good enough for third on the grid.
Race 1 delivered the kind of tightly packed, elbows-out action that defines F1600. The top five ran nose-to-tail through the early stages before Di Paolo settled into a fierce three-way battle up front. He eventually crossed the line in third, again improving his personal best with a 1:48.587.
Sunday’s Race 2 proved just as intense. A multi-lap fight for third saw several position changes, but a yellow flag zone prevented a pass, and a red flag stoppage (due to a car fire) brought the race to an early end. Di Paolo was classified fourth - a frustrating result with championship hopes hanging by a thread.
“After Race 2, we felt like the championship was out of reach,” Di Paolo admitted. “Everyone was discouraged. We’d put everything into this season.”
Starting fourth for the final race of the weekend - and the season - Di Paolo knew the stakes. What followed was one of the most dramatic moments of the year.
On Lap 2, the race leader lost control at the infamous Turn 2, spinning sideways down the hill - directly in the middle of the track. With second and third lifting off in hesitation, Di Paolo took a bold gamble.
“I saw the tire smoke and just committed. I squeezed between the spinning car and the others lifting off - inches on either side. From fourth to second in a single corner.”
Holding second for the remainder of the race, Di Paolo chased down the leader, but with no mistakes up front, he would have to settle for P2.
Back in the paddock, a wave of disbelief turned to jubilation. After tallying the final points, Di Paolo realized he had done just enough to reclaim the championship lead - winning the title by a mere two points.
For MDiPaoloRacing, the 2025 Formula 1600 PRO-AM title wasn’t just about lap times or podiums - it was a testament to perseverance in the face of adversity. A season marked by financial limitations, mechanical setbacks, and on-track heartbreak ended with the ultimate reward: a hard-fought championship title.
Emotional Podium Comebacks for Mdipaoloracing at 2025 Summer Classic
July 2025
Mont-Tremblant, QC - After a weekend riddled with mechanical issues, late grid arrivals, and back-row starts, Michael Di Paolo delivered two stunning comeback drives to claim a pair of second-place finishes at the 2025 Summer Classic, held at Circuit Mont-Tremblant.
It was a turbulent start to the event on Friday, with persistent issues preventing any meaningful practice time. The first session was missed entirely, and although the team managed to run the second, the car was far from dialed in. Electrical and ignition troubles returned in the third session, halting progress just four laps in. Saturday’s qualifying session brought a new layer of frustration. An aggressive engine vibration caused a spark plug electrode to completely unscrew itself, creating a major misfire that forced an early pit stop. With no usable data collected and limited seat time, Michael was left starting Race 1 from the back of the grid.
The opening race ended in disappointment. After a lightning start and several early overtakes, a broken exhaust header forced a retirement just one lap into the race.
Sunday brought a shift in momentum. Despite starting Race 2 at the back once again, Michael charged through the field with determination, overcoming lingering car issues to take an emotional second-place finish.
Race 3 nearly repeated the chaos. A delay getting to the grid - the result of a last-minute push to prep the car - meant forfeiting a second-place starting position. Once again relegated to the rear, Michael fought through the pack on heavily worn tires to secure another hard-earned second-place finish.
“I was seeing red before the last race,” he admitted. “I felt like I had let the team down all weekend. But I raced as hard as I could, sliding everywhere on dead tires, and somehow we made it happen.”
The emotion of the moment came to a head during the cooldown lap after Race 2.
“I had tears in my helmet. Just absolute disbelief and gratitude. After everything we went through, to be able to bring the team a result like that… it meant everything.”
Michael also took time to recognize those who supported the effort:
MCreations - “For your constant support on and off the track.”
Lucky Monkey Apparel - “For the amazing team gear! Everyone had nothing but fantastic things to say about it 😁”
As the 2025 season continues, this performance at Mont-Tremblant stands as a clear demonstration of resilience, teamwork, and the relentless pursuit of results - no matter the odds.
It was a turbulent start to the event on Friday, with persistent issues preventing any meaningful practice time. The first session was missed entirely, and although the team managed to run the second, the car was far from dialed in. Electrical and ignition troubles returned in the third session, halting progress just four laps in. Saturday’s qualifying session brought a new layer of frustration. An aggressive engine vibration caused a spark plug electrode to completely unscrew itself, creating a major misfire that forced an early pit stop. With no usable data collected and limited seat time, Michael was left starting Race 1 from the back of the grid.
The opening race ended in disappointment. After a lightning start and several early overtakes, a broken exhaust header forced a retirement just one lap into the race.
Sunday brought a shift in momentum. Despite starting Race 2 at the back once again, Michael charged through the field with determination, overcoming lingering car issues to take an emotional second-place finish.
Race 3 nearly repeated the chaos. A delay getting to the grid - the result of a last-minute push to prep the car - meant forfeiting a second-place starting position. Once again relegated to the rear, Michael fought through the pack on heavily worn tires to secure another hard-earned second-place finish.
“I was seeing red before the last race,” he admitted. “I felt like I had let the team down all weekend. But I raced as hard as I could, sliding everywhere on dead tires, and somehow we made it happen.”
The emotion of the moment came to a head during the cooldown lap after Race 2.
“I had tears in my helmet. Just absolute disbelief and gratitude. After everything we went through, to be able to bring the team a result like that… it meant everything.”
Michael also took time to recognize those who supported the effort:
MCreations - “For your constant support on and off the track.”
Lucky Monkey Apparel - “For the amazing team gear! Everyone had nothing but fantastic things to say about it 😁”
As the 2025 season continues, this performance at Mont-Tremblant stands as a clear demonstration of resilience, teamwork, and the relentless pursuit of results - no matter the odds.
Dominant Weekend for Mdipaoloracing despite adversity
Mont-Tremblant, QC - The 2025 Spring Classic at Circuit Mont-Tremblant delivered a dramatic weekend of racing, with Michael Di Paolo emerging as one of the standout performers. Overcoming mechanical setbacks and inclement weather, the Formula 1600 driver secured two victories and a second-place finish in an impressive season debut.
Preparations for the event were anything but smooth. A series of technical issues sidelined Michael during Thursday’s test day, and persistent problems meant missing all of Friday’s official practice sessions. While competitors took to the track to acclimate to the challenging conditions, he and the crew worked tirelessly in the cold and rain to get the car race-ready.
Saturday morning greeted teams with wet and frigid conditions, with ambient temperatures below 15°C - far from ideal for the racing tires used in the series. For Michael, qualifying was not only the first competitive session but also the first time on track all weekend. Despite two red flags limiting track time, he managed to post the second-fastest time in the session.
Race 1 proved to be a turning point. Seizing an early opportunity at Turn 1, Michael made a bold move on the inside to claim the lead. From there, he controlled the race, lapping three competitors before taking the checkered flag.
Conditions improved slightly for Race 2, offering more grip and stability. Despite continued mechanical concerns, Michael maintained composure and race pace, securing a second consecutive victory.
The final race of the weekend delivered a mix of weather and uncertainty. Varying track conditions and lingering car issues made for a tense battle at the front. After briefly leading, Michael was forced to concede the top spot, ultimately finishing second with third place applying pressure right to the finish.
“It was a rollercoaster of a weekend,” Michael said after the event. “We started off with every kind of problem imaginable, and I didn’t think we’d even make it to the grid. But thanks to the hard work of everyone who supported me, we pulled it off. I’m incredibly grateful to the team, my supporters, and everyone who helped make this weekend possible.”
With a strong start to the season now behind them, all eyes are on what MDiPaoloRacing will accomplish next.
Preparations for the event were anything but smooth. A series of technical issues sidelined Michael during Thursday’s test day, and persistent problems meant missing all of Friday’s official practice sessions. While competitors took to the track to acclimate to the challenging conditions, he and the crew worked tirelessly in the cold and rain to get the car race-ready.
Saturday morning greeted teams with wet and frigid conditions, with ambient temperatures below 15°C - far from ideal for the racing tires used in the series. For Michael, qualifying was not only the first competitive session but also the first time on track all weekend. Despite two red flags limiting track time, he managed to post the second-fastest time in the session.
Race 1 proved to be a turning point. Seizing an early opportunity at Turn 1, Michael made a bold move on the inside to claim the lead. From there, he controlled the race, lapping three competitors before taking the checkered flag.
Conditions improved slightly for Race 2, offering more grip and stability. Despite continued mechanical concerns, Michael maintained composure and race pace, securing a second consecutive victory.
The final race of the weekend delivered a mix of weather and uncertainty. Varying track conditions and lingering car issues made for a tense battle at the front. After briefly leading, Michael was forced to concede the top spot, ultimately finishing second with third place applying pressure right to the finish.
“It was a rollercoaster of a weekend,” Michael said after the event. “We started off with every kind of problem imaginable, and I didn’t think we’d even make it to the grid. But thanks to the hard work of everyone who supported me, we pulled it off. I’m incredibly grateful to the team, my supporters, and everyone who helped make this weekend possible.”
With a strong start to the season now behind them, all eyes are on what MDiPaoloRacing will accomplish next.