Sunday, February 17, 2008

Daytona in the books-Lime Rock next!

Well the daytona race is done. I wish it went better but at least we got some great coverage when the motor let go LOL. Here is a copy of the press release:

Daytona, FL (1/28/08) - The GSM/Bildon GTI shows strong pace at Daytona setting the 2nd fastest time of all VWs in the event.

Close, competitive racing marked the first event on the 2008 calendar for the GSM Motorsports VW GTI sponsored by Bildon Motorsport. The Fresh from Florida 200 at Daytona International Speedway was the first event for the team since it's big setback last year which saw the #113 GTI destroyed in at Lime Rock Park.

However this was a new year, and with it, new drivers and renewed expectations. The team arrived well prepared after its successful testing in the weeks prior. The initial practice sessions were uneventful as the team drivers Evan Darling and Mary Katharine settled into a groove working on race setup and practicing driver changes.

When the green flag flew on Friday's race, the GTI made it's move with a strong push early on moving up as many as 5 positions. Throughout the first hour the GSM GTI held it's own and continued to move forward in a very large and competitive field. Avoiding a few crashes that took out a number of competitors was part of the strategy that the team was following, "stay out of trouble and it will come to you".

But this is racing and trouble can find you even when you are trying you hardest to hide from it. By the mid-way point it became evident that the car was down on power. Crew Chief and Team Owner Jon Lewis said "We were fighting what we thought was a computer program or diverter valve failure when we decided to do our driver change just over the mid way point of the race." Once Mary Katharine took control and settled in the real problem showed itself during a routine pit stop in the form of a telltale wisp of smoke. As it turned out the number one cylinder was on its way out, most likely the result of a broken piston ring. The team soldiered on until just before the 10 min mark before before they radioed to driver Mary Katharine to pull off the track to save the motor from further damage.

So with the knowledge that the car when healthy had been turning laps as faster as those in the top 10, the team put the GSM Motorsports GTI 'sponsored by Bildon Motorsport' back in the trailer and headed home knowing that we have a car capable of running up front.

"We are looking forward to Lime Rock, the next event. We want to finish what we started last year, and have a good solid finish, said Lewis.

Thanks to all our friends and sponsors, Bildon Motorsport, Revo Technik, Autotech Sport Tuning, Spec Clutch, Carbotech Brakes & KW Competition.

Note: The Fresh from Florida 200 will air on Speed Channel at 8pm EST February 2nd.

About Grand-Am KONI Challenge

The Koni Challenge, formerly known as the Grand-Am Cup Series (GAC) and its sister series the Grand American Rolex Sportscar Series (Rolex), are North America’s premier platforms for professional endurance road racing. The cars that compete in Grand-Am Cup are production-based, “uni-body” cars running in two classes: Grand Sport (GS), “Sportscars” and Sport Touring (ST) “Touring Cars”.

About Bildon Motorsport

Bildon Motorsport (www.bildon.com) is a company focused on marketing Volkswagen performance and racing equipment. The company is a manufacturer, importer and retailer and offers a complete line of suspension, body, and drivetrain parts for racers campaigning Volkswagen products such as the GTI, Golf, Jetta and Corrado. Bildon Motorsport also offers professional race team assistance with racecar fabrication, parts fabrication and engineering support.

About German Speed Merchants

German Speed Merchants (www.GermanSpeedMerchants.com) is a full service performance and racing operation based in Wilmington North Carolina since 1997. The GSM facility is a 14,000 square feet building with 5 service bays, and dedicated space for race car fabrication and repair. GSM employs 7 full time technicians and support staff. The GSM Team has built 73 race cars ranging from SCCA club racing and autocross cars to a BMW 330 featured in the Universal motion picture The Fast and The Furious.

Further information:

Bill Sulouff, bill bildon.com
Text, photographs and video: http://gsm.bildon.com

Next race Lime Rock! I hope it goes better than last year. Check back for details about the up coming race and to see if I get sponsors!