Michael Shank Racing Barber test notes

Michael Shank Racing tests well at Barber

(Columbus, OH)- July 18-- Michael Shank Racing is looking forward to the next round of Rolex Sports Car Series racing at the end of July after completing a successful two-day test at Barber Motorsports Park outside of Birmingham, Alabama. The track, which fortunately was largely unscathed despite heavy winds and rain from the remnants of Hurricane Dennis, hosted a two-day test with several Riley teams participating in the event.

Despite not having many opportunities to test between races, Michael Shank Racing has posted strong results this season with a podium at California Speedway and a record-setting run to the pole position at Laguna Seca. For the team, the chance to test was not something they wanted to pass up, and team owner Mike Shank was pleased with how much was accomplished during the test.

"We haven't had the chance to test like this right before an event, and we made a lot of progress, so we are really pumped up about racing here in two weeks," said Shank. "Even though it was just testing, it was like a qualifying session the whole time with everybody just gunning for each others times, and we were right there with the other teams, so we know we learned a lot."

For the 2003 Daytona Prototype Championship runner-up Mike Borkowski, the test afforded him the chance to work through qualifying simulations as well as long race runs as he worked to get the car set up best for himself and co-driver Paul Mears, Jr.

"The car is great," smiled driver Mike Borkowski. "This was a good opportunity for me and Dale (Wise-Michael Shank Racing lead engineer) to work through all kinds of set ups, and we just kept improving, so we feel like we'll be ready to hit the ground running when we come back here to race. We know when we roll off the trailer, we'll already have a good car to start with, so it's very encouraging. This team does a great job preparing the car, and working quickly through a race weekend, so we feel like we can be competitive here at Barber."

Besides the normal day to day tasks of running his team, owner Mike Shank has been busy of late, as the Ohio native has been working hard to continue to move his team forward as he works to lay the foundation for a successful future. Shank has been working to find a new home for the team, and after months of planning, is hoping that he will be able to break ground on a new shop this fall.

He is also looking towards the future for his team on-track, and is working to continue to grow his racing program. The team showed well in their two-car debut at Lagua Seca, with Oswaldo Negri and Mark Patterson taking the pole and a top-ten finish in the race, as the Borkowski/Wilden combination took the Mears Motor Coach machine to another top five. Shank is hoping to campaign a two-car effort in the future.

"It's been the busiest summer of my life, but it's all very exciting for me and the team," said Shank. "Racing in the Rolex series has created opportunities I that I'd only hoped could develop, and I am optimistic about the future for this team. Hopefully we will have some news to report soon."

Michael Shank Racing was formed in 1989 when Michael Shank first began driving racing cars professionally, taking the award as SCCA-Ohio Valley Region's Novice Driver of the Year. Shank retired from the cockpit in 1997 after moving up the motorsports ladder to focus his efforts on running the team, which quickly found success in the CART Toyota Atlantic Championship, with several race wins leading Shank to be named as Team Owner of the Year twice in four years. MSR has campaigned drivers including Johnny Rutherford Jr., Kenny Wilden, and 2001 and 2002 Indy Racing League champion Sam Hornish, Jr. MSR joined the Rolex ranks in 2004, leading the first race it entered and making two podium appearances with drivers Burt Frisselle and Oswaldo Negri, Jr.

Canadian based Investment Banking and Securities firm Graydon Elliott Capital specializes in a wide range of financial advisory services and products. The rapidly expanding company will be utilizing its connection with the Michael Shank Racing team to continue its expansion into the US. Visit www.graydonelliott.com For more information.

Michael Shank Racing benefits from the support of team partners including the Mears Transportation Group (www.mearstransportation.com) and Graydon Elliot Capital (www.graydonelliott.com).

-msr-