Posted (04/28/2007) -
For Immediate Release:
April 28, 2007 - Alton, VA - Current IMSA Lites points leader and Accumoto Motorsport team owner Mark White made his Rolex GT debut at the famed Virginia International Raceway today, pairing with 2006 Daytona 24 Hour Champion Ian Baas in a Porsche 997GT3 Cup for "At Speed Motorsports".
Baas qualified the car in 6th place but unfortunately suffered a left rear tire failure entering the famed uphill esses on lap one. He was able to save the car from impact, though the tire failure caused damage to the rear sway bar and left rear fender. Baas was forced to pit and once the tire was changed, rejoined the race dead last but charged towards the front of the field, making up 12 places in 16 laps.
Baas then handed the car over to White on lap 34 in 19th place and White pulled out of the pits for for a memorable Rolex GT debut.
Pressing hard, White brought the car to 13th when the team made the decision on lap 67 to make a "splash and go" pit stop and keep White in the car. A pit speed violation required the #28 At Speed Porsche to suffer a drive through penalty, which resulted in the team losing one place overall.
When the checkered flag waived, White had crossed the line in 14th place out of 28 cars, a fantastic result considering Baas and White falling to last place on the opening lap due to the defective tire. White said about the race: "I had a fantastic time and want to thank everyone who worked behind the scenes to put this deal together, especially my co-driver Ian Baas. I would also like to thank the At Speed crew for providing Ian and I with a great car. Unfortunately bad luck won out over preparation this time and the car was a real handful due to the damage caused when the tire went down. I just stayed focused on continuing the forward momentum that Ian had started!"
White and Baas are scheduled to drive together in seven of the remaining ten Rolex GT races, including the endurance races at Watkins Glen and Miller Motorsports Park. Hopefully luck, and Hoosier Tires, will be on their side in future races.
For more information, contact:
Michael Stahlschmidt
Motorsports Personalities, Inc.
Phone: 847-899-5121
mike@motorsportspersonalities.com
|
