Starworks Motorsports scores Third and Eleventh place finishes on the Watkins Glen Short Course

GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) August 17, 2011 - Starworks Motorsports continued to show progress as a team this past weekend when the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series raced the short course at Watkins Glen International. The team brought a stable of four drivers that were more than capable of racing for a podium finish at The Glen. The #2 Porsche Riley was driven by Enzo Potolicchio and new addition in former Daytona Prototype Series Champion Jorg Bergmeister, while the #8 Ford Riley would be driven by Scotsman Ryan Dalziel and Venezuelan Alex Popow. The cars would start ninth (#8) and tenth (#2) on the grid, but everyone in the Starworks stable was ready for the race and knew the team was capable of making a push to the front.

Both cars would show their pace on the final practice of the weekend as the #8 INA Venezuela/Aviro Airlines entry ran in second position, followed closely by the #2 INA Venezuela/Duncan entry in fifth position to finish the session prior to the race start.

As the green flag waved, both the #2 and #8 quickly worked their way to the front of the field. Alex Popow, who was still gaining knowledge of the track, showed the grizzled veterans what hard work and determination does for a race car driver as he would at one point power the #8 Ford Riley passed the #01 Ganassi machine driven by Memo Rojas for second place. Popow would keep the car ahead of the pack for a majority of his stint before being passed again by the #01. He handed Dalziel over a very fast DP in position to contend. Dalziel would put in fast and consistent laps like he has done his whole career, giving the Starworks #8 team a third place and podium finish!

The #2 car driven by Potolicchio and Bergmeister would follow their sister car to the front half of the pack as well. Both drivers ran extremely fast laps in the #2 Porsche Riley, but did encounter some issues along the way that led to an 11th place finish in the end, but that was not reflective of the effort put on by the team or its drivers on the day. "I was very disappointed with the problems that caused the #2 car to fall a few laps behind" Team Owner Peter Baron continues; "Looking at the lap reports, I'm confident Enzo and Jorg would have been Top-5. Most important, I'm very excited that the team has found the speed we have been lacking the last few races. Leaving the glen I feel like we have a shot to win one of the last two races.

After the race Dalziel's enthusiasm could be heard in his comments. "I am so happy for Starworks and especially Alex and Enzo. They have put so much effort into this team and they both deserve full credit for this weekend's results. The #2 car deserved to be on the podium next to us but it wasn't their day. I think we are going to be really strong at Montreal. Last year we had a great car there, and knowing what we learned at Watkins Glen, I can't wait to get to the track and get Starworks that first victory."

The next race for the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 is August 20th at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Quebec. This race will be aired LIVE on SPEED Channel at 7pm. All Times Eastern.

Additional information may be obtained at www.starworksmotorsport.com, www.ryanDalziel.com or www.p1groupe.com.

###

space

Other Related Press Releases