Orbit Racing's Policastro duo to miss Brimingham

Orbit Racing - Policastro plans

Joe and Jay Policastro won't race the No. 44 Classic Industries Porsche 911 GT3 RS in the Rolex Sports Car Series this month, but they're not hanging up their helmets. In fact, they have almost completed their race plans for the 2005 season.

Luckily, their reason for missing the races is positive -- their international business, Classic Industries, Inc., is enjoying a strong growth period. The father and son pair, working and racing from Latrobe, Pa., knew they would miss the Rolex Series finale at California Speedway because of a business commitment they made three years ago. Their plans to compete at Virginia International Raceway last week and Barber Motorsports Park this week were dashed by the opening of the company's new facility in Puerto Rico, delayed six months by government approvals.

But Joe and Jay Policastro are ahead of the curve for next year. They are anxiously awaiting arrival of their 2005 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car, with plans for testing in December and January, prior to competition in the Rolex Sports Car Series. Their first goal will be the successful defense of their GT win in the Rolex 24 at Daytona. (In 2004, Orbit Racing led the GT class for more than 22 hours, won the class and finished second overall.)

-or/sp-