Birmingham: Action Express Racing preview

Action Express Brings Former Champions Back to Barber

As a new team for 2010, Action Express Racing is writing the opening chapter of their history at each track they visit in this inaugural season. Although they have not yet competed at Barber as Action Express teammates, Joao Barbosa and Terry Borcheller see no drawbacks to their team's newcomer status, as both have scored a previous win of their own there. When the newly established Daytona Prototype class began competition in 2003, Barber Motorsports Park was the scene of a GTS class win by Barbosa, while Borcheller scored the overall win there en route to his Rolex Series Championship that same year.

Kicking off the 2010 season by earning the Rolex 24 win in their team debut, Action Express Racing's #9 Porsche based V-8 Riley has already earned the reputation of being a top contender despite being new to the series. Following up their Daytona victory with another strong performance, Joao Barbosa turned the fastest lap at Homestead just before mechanical problems took the #9 car out of the race.

This season's schedule has moved the Birmingham event from its traditional mid-summer weekend to a cooler springtime date. The more moderate temperatures will not only be easier on the drivers and cars, they are expected to translate into quicker lap times for the race. Barber has made many recent upgrades to their 2.3 mile/ 17 turn track designed to enhance safety and minimize problem areas, all changes that are sure to make for exciting race action this year. It is certain that Action Express will be watched closely as they compete on this season's first true road course, particularly as it has been widely noted that the winner at Barber has gone on to claim the championship for the last five years in a row.

Joao Barbosa is well aware of that trend, but doesn't take it too seriously. "The Action Express team is extremely motivated to win races and that is what we set out to do at every event, so we don't really need to look for any extra reasons to work hard. We have been very competitive so far and I believe we will continue that streak of good performances. Although Terry and I have both won here before, this is a very different race and now we just need to win as teammates. We have unfinished business and our plan is to see the Action Express #9 Porsche win a lot of races, and the Porsche 250 is the perfect place to start." Working for a Barber win and the championship lead may not require extra motivation, but Barbosa and Borcheller still found a lighthearted way to add some for their teammates. As the Rolex Series has announced they will award a custom-made Paul Reed Smith guitar for DP race winners this year, the Action Express drivers made a pact if they can win two guitars this season, they have promised their team they will take guitar lessons and perform together at the 2010 GRAND-AM Championship Banquet. Regardless of the reason, fans can expect to see a high level of motivation from Action Express as they head to Round 3 in search of their second win of 2010.

-source: aer