SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (March 13, 2005) -- The Grand-Am Cup Series
held its second (of 11) event of the season this past weekend with the
"Miller Grand-Am Cup 200" at Autodromo Las Americas in the Dominican
Republic. It is one of three events contested outside the United States in the
series--the other two are in Canada. Justin Marks and Bill Auberlen topped the
Grand Sport (GS) field of 35 competitors driving the No. 96 (photo) Turner
Motorsport BMW M3. The No. 96 team led nearly the entire 3 hour/125-lap
race--falling out just briefly after a driver change before quickly regaining
the lead. With temperatures hovering around the 90 degree mark, officials
estimated over 15,000 sun-drenched spectators were on hand to witness the
inaugural event on the 1.6-mile road course. It was the largest crowd ever to
witness a Grand American Road Racing event.
Following the duo of Marks and Auberlen to the line
was the No. 60 Finley Motorsports BMW M3 driven by Michael McDowell and Rob
Finley. The runner-up finishers crossed the line 6.448 seconds behind the race
winners. Finishing in third place was Scott Maxwell and David Empringham in the
No. 55 Multimatic Motorsports Ford Mustang which finished second in the
season-opener at Daytona.
Quote from race winner Justin Marks: "The
heat was one of the big factors to deal with today. The tires are so good early
in the race, but when your stint goes on and the tires start to go away a
little, you really realize how hard you are working in the heat."
Quote from Andy Lally driver of the No. 28 Race
Prep Motorsports Porsche 996: "The (Hoosier) tires did a great job and
really held up in this heat."
Quote from Hoosier Grand American Track Service
Manager Tim Gilvin: "This trip (to Santo Domingo) was a great
opportunity for us to showcase Hoosier tires to a whole new audience. We
received countless positive comments from the Dominican fans. The race teams
also applauded the efforts of our engineering staff for their support."
Gilvin added, "We are looking forward to returning soon. The racing fans
here are amazing."
Three sizes of Hoosier tires were used in the race
including the 245/45R17, 275/40R17 and 275/35R18 tires. The tires and service
equipment was boated from Miami (FL) to the island of the Dominican
Republic.
In addition to Tim Gilvin, Hoosier was represented
by Gary Freymiller, Fred Awald, Jim Bartholomew, Terry Gilvin, Chris Grossman
and Dan Webb.
OTHER RACE NOTES: The race had a full course
caution after a power failure at the track. A back-up electrical system was
employed until power was restored.
The third race of the season in the Grand-Am Cup
Series is April 2, at California Speedway where they will join the Rolex Series
for their third race of the season.
For complete results on the Miller Grand-Am Cup 200
and more information about the Grand American Road Racing
Association, visit their website at www.grandamerican.com.
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