Starworks Motorsports struggles in Montreal but continue to look to end season strong

GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) August 24, 2011 - Starworks Motorsports brought a strong tandem of cars when the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series raced across the border in Montreal-Quebec, Canada at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve Road Course, but left with a sour taste in their mouths when continued contact from behind and other unfortunate malfunctions stalled the team from putting either car on the podium.

The team decided to bring in their core three drivers to run both the #2 INA Venezuela/Duncan Porsche-Riley, and the #8 INA Venezuela/Avior Airlines Ford-Riley with Scotsman Ryan Dalziel starting the #2, handing it over to Alex Popow then taking over the #8 from Enzo Potolicchio to finish the race. On the first lap the #8 hit tapped from behind by the #01, which would eventually cause a brake issue that ended the day for the #8 after Dalziel had taken over. The team had one last bullet in their gun with the #2 car running fast lap times with both Popow and Dalziel in it. Dalziel was at one point able to run the second fastest lap of the race, which would end up being one of the few positives for the team on the day. With the end of the race nearing the #2 was also struck and spun from behind taking them out of their potential sixth place finish. Everyone on the Starworks team was disappointed following the checkered flag of this one.

"The rules are not in favor of the Porsche which makes it a bit down on power, but Ryan still put the car 5th to start the race in the #2 that he and I shared this weekend" Popow stated. "We thought we had a good plan to get both cars on the podium this weekend with Ryan starting the #2 and then moving over to the #8 to finish the car Enzo was starting."

Potolicchio on the challenges Montreal presents; "I've run at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve four other times, all in the Ferrari Challenge. In those races I had four poles and four wins, and was hoping to keep that streak of strong finishes going this weekend. I really like this circuit, but although I know the track, the DP is so different from the Ferrari Challenge cars, it's like learning all over again."

Dalziel's comments went further after the race expressing that penalties were lacking after contact was made to his teams' cars. "Really disappointed with the result from this weekend for the whole Starworks team. Enzo got hit by the #01 on the first lap and that pretty much took us out of contention, we ended up having to retire the car after I got in for a braking issue that very well may have been initiated by the early contact. In the #2 with Alex, looked like we were in for a strong result, but again got hit from behind on a late restart by the #5. It just seemed like everyone was trying to run each other over out there and we got the short end of it, and with no penalties being handed out on top of it. We'll go into Mid Ohio with an aggressive mindset to set the tone for the weekend and come out on top as we end the season!"

After speaking with the drivers Team Owner Peter Baron summed up all the emotions for his team. "I am amazed at how many times we got hit from behind and knocked off track this weekend and there were no penalties handed out. We had two cars and driving lineups to contend for the win and podiums this weekend only to have others dictate our fate is frustrating for this whole team. We'll push hard at Mid Ohio and begin preparations on 2012, but there is no doubt we'll be looking to close out the season on a high note."

The next race for the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 is September 17th at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. This race will be aired LIVE on SPEED Channel at 3pm. All Times Eastern.

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

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