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Testing report

Park Place Racing4Research practically prefect in Daytona 24H testing

No. 73 Park Place Motorsports/Racing4Research Porsche GT3 tops GT field in Rolex 24 At Daytona testing with Patrick Long, Daniel Graeff, Spencer Pumpelly, Patrick Lindsey and Jason Hart.

#73 Park Place Motorsports Porsche GT3: Daniel Graeff, Jason Hart, Patrick Lindsey, Patrick Long, Spencer Pumpelly

#73 Park Place Motorsports Porsche GT3: Daniel Graeff, Jason Hart, Patrick Lindsey, Patrick Long, Spencer Pumpelly

Eric Gilbert

DAYTONA BEACH – Park Place Motorsports and the Children’s Tumor Foundation Racing4Research program capped a practically perfect Roar Before the Rolex 24 test weekend at Daytona International Speedway Sunday with the fastest overall GT lap in the No. 73 Park Place Motorsports/Racing4Research Porsche GT3.

#73 Park Place Motorsports Porsche GT3: Daniel Graeff, Jason Hart, Patrick Lindsey, Patrick Long, Spencer Pumpelly
#73 Park Place Motorsports Porsche GT3: Daniel Graeff, Jason Hart, Patrick Lindsey, Patrick Long, Spencer Pumpelly

Photo by: Eric Gilbert

Patrick Long turned the top lap of 1:48.569 (118.045 mph) in Saturday morning’s practice session and joined teammates Daniel Graeff, Spencer Pumpelly, Patrick Lindsey and Jason Hart in running competitively throughout the test. The team even made the decision to skip Sunday’s final practice runs and instead focus on off-track Rolex 24 preparation.

“Everything went according to plan,” Lindsey said. “The engineers are happy, which is hard to do. That means I’m happy and the other drivers are happy. Besides accomplishing everything we wanted to, we were fast. I’m just excited to be here for Park Place Motorsports and the Children’s Tumor Foundation.”

The Children’s Tumor Foundation Racing4Research program raises funds and awareness for the fight against Neurofibromatosis (NF) through a busy and diverse racing program that is annually anchored by a Rolex 24 At Daytona effort. A highlight of each race event is the on-site presence and support of a large group of courageous youngsters and their families who have been nicknamed “NF Heroes” for their tireless efforts in fighting the disorder. Last year’s Rolex 24 campaign raised over $600,000 and the goal is to exceed that amount later this month in the first CTF/R4R partnership with Park Place Motorsports.

A co-driver in the winning 2009 Rolex 24 GT entry, Long has learned that having a fast car on the track is as important as what happens in the pits and during pre-race preparation.

“This race really is about being mistake free in the pits, on the track and being reliable,” Long said. “I’m as optimistic as I’ve ever been.”

Team principal and lead engineer John Horton was pleased with the weekend’s performance.

“We showed up and unloaded quickly and I thought it was pretty good,” Horton said. “Overall, it was pretty successful. Every day you learn so we just adapt to those changes. In our team there’s no egos, everybody is very humble so we are constantly moving forward positively. That usually gets the best outcome.”

Final preparations for the Rolex 24 will be made back at the Park Place Motorsports shop in Texas.

“The cars are completely torn down to the tub,” Horton said. “All new parts, gear box, engines, suspension and shock rebuilds. We take everything out and put all new stuff on.”

Park Place Motorsports

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