Phoenix drivers hope to extend winning streak on home track

Doran Lista Racing, Rand Racing Perfect Heading into United Auto 200

PHOENIX (April 4, 2002) -- Among the most talented drivers in the world, only a few have experienced a perfect season. But with nearly a third of 2002 Rolex Sports Car Series season completed, two drivers still have perfection within their grasp as they head into the United Auto 200 presented by azcentral.com, April 20th. Scottsdale's Didier Theys and Phoenix's Terry Borcheller are three-for-three heading into the fourth round of the Rolex Series 10-race season, and they hope to continue their winning streak in front of the hometown crowd at Phoenix International Raceway.

Theys has been behind the wheel of Doran Lista Racing's #27 Judd-powered Dallara in his first three wins this season. He kicked off the season by capturing his second overall victory at the Rolex 24 At Daytona with teammates Mauro Baldi, Fredy Lienhard Sr., and Max Papis. Baldi rejoined Theys weeks later at the Nextel 250 in Miami, where the pair battled for the early lead with rival Dyson Racing Team. But, suspension damage from a collision knocked the Dyson car out of the race, allowing Theys and Baldi to cruise to their second-straight win.

The third stop of the season brought the Rolex Series westward for California Speedway's inaugural road course race, in which Theys shared the Doran Lista Dallara with Fredy Lienhard Jr. After setting the quickest time during qualifying, Theys started the #27 Dallara from the back of the pack after an engine change. Although it took him some time to weave his way up through the field, Theys managed to put the Dallara back in front, where it once again fought with Dyson Racing for the lead. The two teams exchanged the lead several times before Theys finally pulled away to capture his third checkered flag of the season.

Theys will once again partner with Lienhard Jr., in the United Auto 200, where the Doran Lista Dallara is expected to face fierce competition once again from Dyson Racing, as well as 2001 race winners Intersport Racing. However Theys says he does not feel any added pressure to keep his perfect season alive.

"After 25 years of racing, what is pressure?" remarked the Belgian-born driver. "I have raced at LeMans, Indy and all over the world, and a race is a race."

Terry Borcheller also holds a perfect record with a winning streak in the SportsRacing Prototype II class that extends to last season. Borcheller, who previously raced in the GT ranks, made his SRPII debut with a class victory at the Rolex Series Finale in Daytona last November. He returned to Daytona in Rand Racing's #8 Nissan-powered Lola for the Rolex 24 At Daytona, where he and teammates Anthony Lazzaro, Bill Rand and Ralf Kelleners dominated the SRPII class and finished third overall.

Borcheller and Lazzaro posted another impressive performance at the Nextel 250 despite a devastating wreck during practice that nearly destroyed the #8 Rand Lola. After the team rebuilt the severely damaged car, the pair went on to win the SRPII class and earn a place on the overall podium.

The winning combination of Borcheller and Lazzaro was scheduled to continue at California Speedway, but an injury suffered by Lazzaro during the Indy Racing League race in Phoenix forced him to sit out the third round. Kelleners and Rand returned to the #8 Lola for the event, and the trio once again took the class victory and another overall podium finish.

Borcheller will continue his quest for the perfect season at the United Auto 200 with Kelleners as his co-driver. Friendly rival Darren Law, also of Phoenix, continues to be a threat in the #07 Momentum Motorcars BMW-engined Picchio of G&W Motorsports, however Borcheller could find his toughest competition coming from his own team. Rand Racing will premier its #7 Nissan Lola at the event, with Rand, Nicolas Jonsson and Marino Franchitti sharing duties behind the wheel.

"I look at every race as a new beginning. We want to keep doing what we are doing, because obviously its been working, but I know that at any race you can come into mechanical trouble or get into an accident. There are some times that you can't avoid things like that," Borcheller commented.

Theys and Borcheller will try to continue their winning streak at Phoenix International Raceway in the United Auto 200 presented by azcentral.com, April 18-20. Tickets are available online at www.phoenixinternationalraceway.com or by calling 602-252-2227. Additional information about the Rolex Sports Car Series and the United Auto 200 can be found online at www.grand-am.com.

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