Trackbytes Feature Stories

"There Are No Speed Limits On The Road To Excellence"

Trackbytes — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 02:32:37 +0000

by Brian Wagner / Photos by John Thawley

Twenty-five years ago, Rob Dyson raced a 1983 Firebird at the IMSA Coca-Cola Three Hours of Lime Rock. Of the thirty seven cars entered in that race, there is only one team still racing today: Dyson Racing. The upcoming American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park on July 12 marks their celebration of twenty five years in professional motorsports. It is a silver anniversary built on success at the highest levels: sixty one victories, one hundred sixty five podiums and seventeen championships.

photo by John Thawley “When we first started twenty-five years ago, we had five guys and one car and now we have a compliment of twenty-five at the track,” reminisces Rob Dyson. “We had one small thirty foot truck and now we have two forty-three foot trucks. I think the biggest thing I take away from the past twenty-five years is that you’ve got to keep working at it and eventually with the right talent and the right bunch of guys behind you, you can succeed in this sport. It takes a lot of effort and a lot of heart. Racing is a very emotionally and physically demanding sport. It’s the type of sport that demands so much of you that you just have to step up to it. I think that’s the biggest thing I’ve learned over the years.”

Dyson Racing moved from that 1983 IMSA GTO Firebird to a Porsche 962 in 1985. They won the first time out with it at that year’s Lime Rock IMSA race and twelve more wins followed through the golden years of GTP racing. In 1995, they moved to a Ford-powered Riley and Scott which netted them thirty-six wins over nine years. From 2002 through 2006, they ran AER-powered Lolas and returned to the Porsche family last year with two Porsche RS Spyders. The team’s record of consistent success over the past quarter century has solidified their standing as the premier sportscar team in America.

Cytosport Aiming to Make Powerful Return

Trackbytes — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:44:55 +0000

Story by: John Dagys
Photo credit: John Thawley / Regis Lefebure

Team Cytosport opted out of running the first half of the 2008 American Le Mans Series season to instead focus on only one thing: the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Team owner/driver Greg Pickett had dreamed of competing in the twice-around-the-clock French classic for years, and he got to soak in the entire experience two weeks ago. But now, the California-based team is ramping up efforts in hopes of making a powerful return to the ALMS – utilizing key ingredients that they think will put them up in contention.

American Teams Enjoy Success at Le Mans

John Dagys — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 20:02:50 +0000

Story by: John Dagys
Photo credit: Regis Lefebure

Five American-based headed overseas to do battle on foreign grounds. For some of America’s best, the famed Circuit de La Sarthe circuit was a new adventure, while others returned for unfinished business. The 24 Hours of Le Mans is a race that everyone dreams of winning, and two American teams stood atop the podium at the conclusion of the twice-around-the-clock marathon.

The battle for LMP1 honors came down, as expected, to the two diesel juggernauts: Audi and Peugeot. In the end, the No. 2 Audi Sport North America entry of Allan McNish, Dindo Capello and Tom Kristensen took top honors, out smarting the faster – but slower in the wet – No. 7 Team Peugeot Total 908 HDi-FAP of Nicolas Minassian, Marc Gene and Jacques Villeneuve. As rain hit the 8.5-mile circuit in the early morning hours, the Audi kicked into gear in the damp weather and cruised to a four-minute win over the French Lion.

Stars and Stripes of the American Le Mans Series Set to Shine in France

Trackbytes — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:12:49 +0000

Story by John Dagys / Photos by Regis Lefebure
As many of the stars and cars of the American Le Mans Series take a well-deserved early summer break, some of the Series’ finest are out in full force on the other side of the Atlantic. The likes of Flying Lizard Motorsports, Corvette Racing and Risi Competizione are doing battle on the hallowed grounds of Circuit de La Sarthe, home to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. As seen in past years, can the stars and stripes of America once again conquer the twice-around-the-clock French classic?

Unlike past years, only five American-based teams (six including Audi) have made the trip for this year’s race. While it may be about quantity, it’s the teams’ quality and determination to succeed that has put these operations out in front, proven in last weekend’s official test day.

Scott Sharp Returning to His Roots

John Dagys — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:42:07 +0000

Story by: John Dagys
Photo credit: John Thawley / Richard Dole

For Scott Sharp, the 2008 season marked another turning point in his memorable racing career. The 40-year-old veteran IndyCar Series racer shifted gears, joining Highcroft Racing’s Acura LMP2 program in the American Le Mans Series. Bringing the support of Patron Spirits Company, Sharp has proven to be a winner on and off the track as he now comes full circle in returning to his road racing roots.

Sharp has teamed with endurance racing veteran David Brabham in the Patron Highcroft Racing outfit, one of four teams campaigning Acura ARX-01bs in the Series. After a fourth place finish at the season-opening Twelve Hours of Sebring and a second at St. Petersburg, the duo took home their first win at Long Beach, the team’s maiden victory as well.

Flying Lizards Primed for Success

John Dagys — Wed, 28 May 2008 16:02:41 +0000

Story by: John Dagys
Photo credit: Bob Chapman, Autosport Image

Flying Lizard Motorsports has enjoyed a solid start to its 2008 American Le Mans Series campaign. With four races now in the books, the three-car Porsche team now leads both the GT2 drivers’ and teams’ championship, ahead of its Ferrari rivals. Jorg Bergmeister and Wolf Henzler took a dominant win in last weekend’s Utah Grand Prix, their second of the year, propelling the No. 45 duo to the top of the pack. Trackbytes.com caught up with team manager Eric Ingraham prior to the wave of the green flag at Miller Motorsports Park to assess the team’s performance in the opening races and to also take a glimpse into the hurdles of running a three-car operation.

Chasing the Checkers: Utah Edition

John Dagys — Tue, 20 May 2008 20:55:30 +0000

Story by: John Dagys
Photo credit: John Thawley

In every American Le Mans Series race, a number of teams run noteworthy races, but their trials and tribulations often get buried behind the headlines. Podium finishers receive the limelight of attention, as they not only celebrate on stage, but also on the front page of race reports. Trackbytes.com introduces a new post-race feature, taking a look at the teams below the podium, yet still chasing that same checkered flag.

Utah: Race Report

John Dagys — Mon, 19 May 2008 03:00:25 +0000

Story by: John Dagys
Photo credit: John Thawley

Penske Racing and Porsche were back to their winning ways Sunday at Miller Motorsports Park, as Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas claimed the overall victory in the Larry H. Miller Dealerships Utah Grand Prix presented by The Grand and Little America Hotels, the fourth round of the American Le Mans Series season. The dynamic duo led a Penske 1-2 result and a LMP2 sweep of the top six positions overall in the event-filled race.

Dumas led the 24 laps around the 3.048-mile outer loop course, taking over the top spot after Simon Pagenaud pitted his de Ferran Motorsports Acura for a late stop. The No. 7 Porsche RS Spyder then opened up to a healthy lead over the team car of Patrick Long and Sascha Maassen, taking the checkered flag by over 22 seconds.

Utah: Qualifying Report

John Dagys — Sun, 18 May 2008 02:17:14 +0000

Story by: John Dagys
Photo credit: John Thawley

Timo Bernhard muscled his Penske Racing Porsche RS Spyder to the overall pole position Saturday at Miller Motorsports Park, outpacing the brand-new de Ferran Motorsports Acura in the closing moments. Bernhard ripped off two back-to-back quick laps, good enough to steal the top spot away from Gil de Ferran for Sunday’s Larry H. Miller Dealerships Utah Grand Prix presented by the Grand and Little America Hotels.

All weekend long, de Ferran and co-driver Simon Pagenaud have been the drivers to beat, piloting the newest LMP2 car on the American Le Mans Series grid. De Ferran was fastest in testing on Friday while Pagenaud paced Saturday morning’s practice session. “The Professor” looked set to continue that mark in qualifying, but Bernhard stole the thunder just as de Ferran faltered for the first time.

Utah: Saturday Morning Report

John Dagys — Sat, 17 May 2008 19:20:56 +0000

Story by: John Dagys
Photo by: John Thawley

The de Ferran Motorsports Acura was once again at the top of the time sheets at Miller Motorsports Park, as American Le Mans Series teams practice for Sunday’s Larry H. Miller Dealerships Utah Grand Prix presented by the Grand and Little America Hotels. Simon Pagenaud’s time of 1:32.639 was quickest in this morning’s one-hour practice around the circuit’s outer loop layout.

Pagenaud and co-driver Gil de Ferran were also the pacesetters in Friday’s two-hour test session. However de Ferran’s time set yesterday was over two-tenths quicker than this session’s best. The difference could be attributed to warmer track conditions today. The ambient temperature this morning was 80 F, and forecasts call for low to mid-90s tomorrow.

Adrian Fernandez and Luis Diaz made it an Acura 1-2 in the session, as the No. 15 Lowe’s Fernandez Racing example clocked a 1:32.791 lap time, 0.152 seconds slower than Pagenaud’s time.

The best of the LMP1 runners was the No. 1 Audi Sport North America R10 TDI of Emanuele Pirro and Frank Biela, who set a 1:33.099, slotting in third fastest overall.