SCC: Watkins Glen: Subaru Road Racing Team race notes

Skavnes, Hemmingson Take Grand-Am KONI Series Points Lead at Watkins Glen
-Subaru moves up to second in chase for manufacturers' title-

Watkins Glen, NY -- July 5, 2008 - Chuck Hemmingson, of Des Moines, Ia., and co-driver Kristian Skavnes, Sparta, N.J., used a strong fifth place finish in the Grand-Am KONI Challenge series road race at Watkins Glen International to vault themselves into the lead for the series Drivers' Championship points.

Their "ride" that got them there, the ICY / Phoenix-prepared #143 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT spec.B race car, moved Subaru into a tie for third place in the valuable Manufacturer's Championship points chase.

Finishing 10th in the 45-car Street Tuner class were their teammates, David Rosenblum, Langhorne, Pa., and co-driver Andrew Aquilante, Chester Springs, Pa.

"What the Subaru Road Racing Team performed Friday night and today is nothing short of a miracle," said Joe Aquilante, Rosenblum's partner in the ownership and management of ICY / Phoenix, which prepares the cars.

"We changed the engines from both cars late last night as a preventive measure, which would normally be more than enough work," added Aquilante. "But our #111 car, in a senseless warm-up incident this morning, was caught up in another driver's crash. The damage was repairable, but we decided to enter our spare race car instead. The job the crew did in the paddock getting these cars ready, and the job they did in the pits with our well-timed pit stops, made all the difference."

Motorsports marketing manager for Subaru of America, Inc., James Han, expressed his agreement with Aquilante. "I've always been confident in the abilities of our drivers and crew, but the perseverance and commitment in getting our race cars fully prepped in such short turn-around and bringing home both Subaru Legacy cars in the top 10 was really something special to witness. After experiencing their 'never give up' attitude, our race finish feels more like a win. Leading the drivers' points is a great bonus."

-credit: srrt