Info: Greg Franz 949.851.4731
gfranz@competentms.com
2010 Begins Fourth Season For Pirelli Drivers Cup USA
Auto Club Speedway, Fontana, CA.
Thursday April 15, 2010.
Six new drivers enjoyed their first event with Pirelli Drivers Cup USA and said” this series is the best place for them to develop their racing skills for today and in the future.
Friday, April 9th, is normally a practice day, and all the drivers used this day to good use as many experienced their first track days in 2010. Matt Halliday, both Porsche Supercup and Asian Carrera Cup driver, shared one-on-one feedback based on his driving experiences in the Porsche 996/997 GT3 Cup car, the basis for the Pirelli Drivers Cup USA racing series. He positioned himself around the track to see how the drivers drove different sections and offered his coaching for them to incorporate into their own racing styles.
Saturday both the first test of both drivers and machines in both Qualifying and Race
mode. Considering the strategy to be used on both oval and inside on this 21 turn 2.78 miles track requires both excellent car control and situational awareness on the banking and into the braking zone at Turn 3 into the infield. Race #1 offered the excitement we were all waiting for as the field entered into Turn 3 at four (4) abreast, with very little breathing going on by the drivers in those few moments with everyone getting through cleanly. Great to see!!
All Groups had back and forth challenges and then dominate driving performances from newcomer to the series in Group A (2000-2005 996 GT3 Cup) Doug Baron (911 Design) who made a big statement that he intended to go after the Championship for 2010 in his Group. Series regulars, Brooks Potter (Aasco Motorsports), Jim Walsh (Jim Walsh Racing), Matt Ross (Ross Racing), and John Trefethen (Glenn Yee Motorsports) all were in the hunt throughout the race vying for a position on that podium.
Group B (2006-2009 997 GT3 Cup) had newcomers Frederick Chin, David Alpan (Truspeed Motorsports), and Chuck Sonson (Truspeed Motorsports) working through traffic and positioning themselves for podium finishes as Sonson won the day in their race on Saturday.
Group C (2010 997 GT3 Cup) brought out two drivers with their new cars to fully utilize the aero package on the 2010 Porsche 997 GT3 Cup, which had great reviews from two weeks prior at the 12 Hours of Sebring. Both Brent Holden (GMG Racing) and Jay Hagenbuch (Aasco Motorsports) found the speed available to them on the oval and the nimbleness on the infield and for Brent Holden, as pole sitter for the first race, won Group C and had the fastest time in the race.
Sunday, had another day of great Southern California weather for everyone to enjoy. Again, practice was the order of the day, prior to another round of Qualifying for Race #2.
The question the drivers were looking for answers was; What do I need to do to maximize my speed on the oval and banking and still have the setup necessary to gain position in the infield?
Well, Race # 2 brought a number of Race #1 drivers to the forefront again in this race, as Doug Baron (911 Design) showed the 997 boys that a well prepared and driven car could and did take the Pole for the race.
With seven 996 GT3 Cup cars in attendance for the event; we expect to see more of these platforms showing up this season to have their drivers test themselves against a fast, clean racing and competitive group. The season has twelve races and a lot can happen. Doug Baron lead from the start and did not look back, winning Group A in Race # 2. Jim Walsh brought home another second place, as he had achieved in Race # 1, with third place on the podium went to last year’s 2009 Champion, Brooks Potter; who also finished in the same position in Race # 1 also.
Both Walsh and Potter in Race #2 gave the crowd a driving demonstration for about six laps of nose to tail racing, along with passing and overtaking again for position.
John Trefethen and Matt Ross fought back and forth all race with John edging Matt for fourth place, a reverse of their finish in Race #1.
Group B had a new driver to the series and winner in Frederick Chin from Las Vegas. Fred drove a smart and clean race and realized the victory over David Alpan.
In Group C, Jay Hagenbuch (Aasco Motorsports) achieved his first victory of the season in a car that he had very little time in before showing up and facing the challenges of Auto Club Speedway.
At the end of the event, Greg Franz begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting, Pirelli Drivers Cup USA Director said, “This is the year that our drivers will enjoy plenty of challenges and competition during a twelve race season, including two events at Laguna Seca, Portland International Raceway, Miller Motorsports Park, and finishing at the always demanding Infineon Raceway.” The Pirelli P Zero Slicks are going to get a real test this season. The drivers said “bring it on!”
Franz, along with the drivers, “Thanked” series partner, Porsche Motorsport North America, for their presence. Paul Ritchie, President of PMNA, brought out all the support of his Parts and Race Engineering groups to assist the drivers in understanding the race technology that they have available in any Porsche GT3 996/997 Cup car
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