Posted (07/04/2008) -
For Immediate Release: Watkins Glen, NY - APR Motorsport experienced it's first pole in the teams short history, capturing the number one spot on the grid of the KONI ST series race at the historic Watkins Glen International Raceway today in only the team's fifth professional race.
Povoledo, co-driving with veteran Ian Baas in the #171 VW GTI, was filling in for regular Baas teammate Dion von Moltke, who was forced to miss the race due to an odd New York state law which prohibits athletes under 18 from participating in any event where tobacco or alcohol sponsorship is in place. von Moltke is only 17 years old as of this weekend's race.
Povoledo secured the pole on his first lap after a long yellow due to a crash at turn 6. On the first lap after the yellow flag, Povoledo was able to catch a long draft on one of the competitors Subaru sedans on two consecutive straights, gaining just enough to garner the pole. Povoledo said about the qualifying and pole: "I have to give 100% of my thanks to my incredible team. From the ownership down to the crew, this team is the most professional, hard working and classy team I have ever worked with in my many years or racing all over the world." Aaron added: "I got a clean flying lap behind one of the Subaru's, making the pole possible. We had a short time to get it done after the yellow, so I pretty much hung my qualifying on one lap. The car was awesome and I look forward to a great race tomorrow."
APR experienced additional success via Mark White's qualifying the #181 Team Janica Racing/APR Motorsport VW GTI in fourth place, putting two of the three GTI's in the top five, also a team record. Mark garnered his fourth place spot on the grid on his last flying lap of the qualifying, actually drafting teammate Povoledo for part of the lap. Mark said: "The car just keeps getting better. It was more stable overall and the crew just did a great job of taking my comments about the car and translating them into the set up. With the shortened qualifying session, I knew I had just a few minutes on the grid so when we came off the yellow and when I saw Aaron in front of me, I worked really hard to get into his draft on the straights which made all the difference. The race should be a hell of a lot of fun tomorrow and I always look forward to handing the car over to Randy Pobst, the so-called Mayor of Watkins Glen!"
The third APR Motorsport GTI, qualified by James Hunt and co-driven by Mike Sweeney, landed twenty sixth on the grid due to heavy traffic during the session. Hunt said about qualifying "I feel really bad for the crew, as they car was fantastic and it was capable of a top ten position. After the yellow, I was caught in the middle of a pack of literally 10 cars and there was nothing I could do to break free in those few laps of green. I am excited for the race tomorrow, as I have total confidence in the car and it's a long race. Bring it on!"
The KONI race goes off tomorrow, Saturday, July 5, at 4:40pm. Fans can keep track of the race on Grand Am's web site, where Live Timing and Scoring is available at: www.grand-am.com/livetiming.
For questions or comments, contact APR Motorsport PR Director Michael Stahlschmidt at (847)899-5121 or mstahlschmidt@mac.com.
|
