Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA

Mid-Ohio- like home for drivers

There's no place like home for Ohio drivers. LEXINGTON, Ohio (June 25, 2003) - When Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series and Grand-Am Cup Series race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course this weekend in the Mid-Ohio Road Racing Classic, many drivers ...

There's no place like home for Ohio drivers.

LEXINGTON, Ohio (June 25, 2003) - When Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series and Grand-Am Cup Series race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course this weekend in the Mid-Ohio Road Racing Classic, many drivers will not have to go very far to get to the track. Seventeen drivers in the two series call Ohio home and are hoping to finish well in front the hometown crowd.

Dick Greer, driver of the #82 Corvette, is looking forward to sleeping in his own bed, as well as putting off weekly household tasks. "I get to race cars, so I don't have to mow my lawn," joked Greer.

Greer, who is sponsored by Dublin-based Wendy's, hopes to make his sponsor proud with a win. "Wendy's does a lot for the community. We are happy to see the Wendy's race car at its home track."

Not all Ohio drivers will be able take advantage of staying at home for the race. Although Steve Colletti, driver of the #61 Acura Integra R, lives three hours from the track in Centerville and will have to stay in a hotel, he still plans to enjoy his time at home, as well as the beauty of the state. "Everything's so green and lively out here. It's one of my favorite tracks."

Drivers of the #35 Nissan 350Z, BJ Zacharias and Michiel Schuitemaker, are both from Ohio and consider the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course one of the favorite tracks. "I love it! It's my home track," said Zacharias. Because the driver's team is based out of Cincinnati, many family and friends will make the three-hour drive and watch the race.

Schuitemaker enjoys the track because of its layout and accessibility for the fans. "It's easy for spectators to see the off-track stuff, and it's fun for the spectators. It's a true road-racing track for the drivers. It's a great track for our car," he said.

So do the Ohio drivers think they have an advantage? They would like to think so, but in reality, they doubt it.

"At this level of racing, pretty much everyone knows the tracks well," said Sunbury-resident John Schmitt, driver of the #00 Honda of America Acura RSX-S. Schuitemaker agreed. "The other drivers are so good. These are some of the best drivers in the world."

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is located approximately halfway between Columbus and Cleveland, off Interstate 71. For event information and tickets, call 1-800-MID-OHIO or visit www.midohio.com.

For more information about the Rolex Series and Grand-Am Cup Series, visit www.grandamerican.com.

-garra-

Be part of Motorsport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Mid-Ohio: Terry Borcheller preview.
Next article Mid-Ohio practice two times

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA