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Road Atlanta: Intersport Racing race report

Intersport Racing Wraps Up 2010 Season With Outstanding 5th Overall at Petit Le Mans No. 89 Greenzilla Lafarge Merchant Services Oreca Takes Second in LMPC If the Intersport Racing team was anything in 2010, they were fast. Despite engine issues ...

Intersport Racing Wraps Up 2010 Season With Outstanding 5th Overall at Petit Le Mans
No. 89 Greenzilla Lafarge Merchant Services Oreca Takes Second in LMPC

If the Intersport Racing team was anything in 2010, they were fast. Despite engine issues the team more often than not found themselves leading at every venue. The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron 13th Annual Petit Le Mans Powered by Mazda 2 was no different. Though the LMP1 class was dominated by the factory diesels of Peugeot and Audi, the No. 37 Lenco Mobile AER powered Lola was the class of the field, finishing ahead of the No. 9 Audi and within a heartbeat of the 2010 Series Champion, Highcroft Racing. The driver trio of Clint Field, Jon Field and Ben Devlin completed 383 laps in 9 hours and 11 minutes to finish 5th overall.

"We're extremely pleased with today's performance," said team owner and co-driver, Clint Field. "We've struggled with attrition all year, so to complete the season finale, easily one of the toughest events on the circuit, is very satisfying."

The 2010 Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta experienced a record crowd - said to exceed 124,000 - and enjoyed spectacular racing weather.

"It was a fantastic week," added Clint. "The crowd was just electric. I think it speaks to the great job the Series is doing and to the tremendous competition on the track. I think every driver in the paddock is excited and honored to be competing here."

Ben Devlin was added to the line up as a co-driver with Clint and Jon Field. Ben was elated to be part of the show.

"This is great stuff," said Ben. "I realized while cleaning my helmet earlier in the week that the bugs were from a motorcycle ride and not a race. So to be here is a lot of fun. The Fields are pretty much my extended family when I'm here in the states, so sharing the car with Clint and Jon is really pretty special. There's no pressure. The car is always fast and they insist on keeping it fun. For a driver, you can't beat that."

On the LMP Challenge side of the team paddock, the No. 89 LMPC Oreca prototype finished second in the highly competitive LMPC division. Sporting a new livery of green and white with sponsors Greenzilla energy drink, Lafarge and Merchant Services LTD., Kyle Marcelli, Chapman Ducote and David Ducote teamed up to handle the driving duties.

Marcelli kicked things off in qualifying with a time just three tenths off the pole and placing the team third on the grid. On Saturday saw the race went green under perfect racing conditions with Marcelli at the wheel. Jumping to an early lead, Kyle held a fifty second gap over the second place car throughout his entire first stint. At the third hour Kyle handed the car off to team-mate David Ducote.

David and his brother Chapman managed the car perfectly through middle of the race. Both drivers did a great job preserving the car and maintaining the team's track position. As Chapman finished his 2 hour stint, the crew brought the car behind the wall to fix a minor problem. Within no time at all, the Intersport Racing No. 89 LMPC was back in attack mode with Kyle Marcelli on lock n' load for the last 3 plus hours. This was no easy task.

With the sun setting, no one was letting up and lap times where just as quick as when the race started. Marcelli stayed focused and took the checkered flag taking 2nd place for the 13th Petit Le Mans, easily one of the most prestigious sports car races in the world.

"I'm very happy to give Intersport Racing a long overdue and well deserved 2nd place podium finish," said Kyle. "The team has worked so hard over the 2010 season and it was nice to end on such a good note. Both David and Chapman did a great job keeping the car out of trouble and running consistent laps. Now the behind the scenes business side of the sport starts and I'm very excited for 2011."

"I am overwhelmed with Kyle's performance as a complete racer," said Chapman Ducote. "His maturity in and out of the race car, personal preparation, and his ability to set up a car, speak volumes of his desire to succeed. I consider myself lucky to have a team-mate with so many positive attributes."

"Without testing and poor weather preventing much practice," added David Ducote, "we knew we had to run consistently and without any mistakes to make the podium. The Intersport team did a great job on strategy and we were fortunate in avoiding any incidents on a very busy track. Kyle was a workhorse, running over a 3 hour stint into the night and holding our position. Sharing the podium with Kyle and my brother Chapman, was a highlight that I hope we can repeat in the future."

"I'm delighted to have finished the season with a Podium," noted Team Manager Martin Dixon. "Kyle, David and Chapman did a great job in keeping consistent lap times throughout the race and keeping out of trouble. Kyle did a fantastic job driving for 3 hours at the end of the race. It was a pleasure work with all 3 drivers and I hope to continue the relationship in the future. The Intersport team did a great job in the pits and despite going behind the wall to fix a minor problem we finished the race a strong 2nd place."

Intersport Racing is also pleased to congratulate the #89 crew member, Ryder Drumm. Ryder was awarded the American Le Mans Series' award for Mechanic of the Year in the LMP Challenge division. What makes this an accessional honor is that voting is conducted among the IMSA officials working pit lane. Congratulations Ryder!

-source: intersport racing

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