Road Atlanta II: Orbit Racing practice report

team best

Orbit Racing's drivers are ready for night practice after a satisfying day of preparation for the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta. Leo Hindery, Peter Baron and Mike Rockenfeller all recorded personal best GT times on the 2.54-mile road course during Thursday practice in the No. 43 YES Network Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Baron's time of one minute 24.022 seconds was third in class in the morning session and Rockenfeller was fourth in the afternoon (1:24.019).

"Today is sort of a perfect race day, the weather couldn't be better," Hindery said. "Road Atlanta is a lot of fun all the time. When the weather's like this and the car is running really well, we're going to do well. Mike's speeds are spectacular and the whole team effort this weekend started off with a bang. Peter and I have done this a number of times and I don't feel we've ever been better-prepared. We're all doing personal bests and we're thrilled."

radical move forward

Jay and Joe Policastro also progressed in the No. 42 Classic Industries Porsche.

"We made some pretty radical changes to the car," Jay Policastro said. "We ran the same speed [in the afternoon] as the morning, which is good because the whole track slowed down. As the sun came out, the track got warm and the grip went away. So at equal speed, we definitely made progress forward. We've got a good race setup, the car is consistent and the tires stay under it for 30-plus laps, so we're confident that we'll be good for the race."

Locks of Love

Randy Pobst, who will join Jay and Joe Policastro in the No. 42 Porsche, is wearing a special helmet this week. Painted by eight-year-old Emma Swanson of Chicago, the helmet depicts a rocket in flight, playing on Pobst's nickname of Rocketman.

"Emma has really long [hip-length] hair," Pobst said. "She's going to cut it short and donate it to a charity organization called Locks of Love. They create wigs for children who have lost their hair through chemotherapy. I decided to have Emma paint my helmet so I can use this helmet to raise awareness of Locks of Love. I think it's a wonderful thing. Any time someone's cutting off long hair, there's a great use for it for these kids."

cool stuff

Orbit Racing drivers are sporting black-and-red cool suits this week. They are the first cool suits ever made with non-flammable materials. The suits are manufactured by Fresh Air Systems Technologies (F.A.S.T.) in Arlington, Il.