Team Sahlen GT driver aims for Akin award

Team Sahlen GT Driver Holds Tight to Bob Akin Going into VIR Race

Massillon, Ohio - Team Sahlen driver Will Nonnamaker maintains his lead position on the Grand Touring (GT) class Bob Akin award. Nonnamaker has led this award for most of the Grand American Rolex series season. His recent efforts have extended his lead but second place driver Marc Bunting is close behind.

Nonnamaker has driven every Grand Touring race this season which has given him both the strength and endurance to compete for the Bob Akin award. The award itself is determined by points earned by an individual driver. These points are awarded based on finishing position and miles driven. In addition he has driven in the Grand Am Cup Grand Sport and Sport Touring classes. Nonnamaker frequently speaks on the skill required to drive these GT3 Cup Grand Touring class cars.

"The Grand Touring class cars require a different set of skills than what we use to drive our Grand Sport and Sport Touring class cars. The Grand Am Cup cars require a much smoother approach to driving, but in GT things happen much faster than in Grand Am Cup. The car feels like a real race car, which makes it easier to drive, but things happen quicker so you have to anticipate what the car is going to do. Add to that the challenge of the Daytona Prototypes whizzing by and there is a lot more to watch for on the course," states Will Nonnamaker.

Nonnamaker will be joined by his brother Wayne in the Team Sahlen No. 43 Porsche GT3 Cup car. In addition to further extending the lead on the prestigious award, both brothers are looking to finish strong in the VIR 400. With the competitiveness through the season, the Nonnamakers and their team want a happy ending to the 2005 American tour.

"This is the last race Grand American Rolex race in front of US fans. We want to have a good showing here and the VIR course is a team favorite. It's challenging, technical, and a great track to race on. Will and I will be working together to earn him points in the Bob Akin award," states Wayne Nonnamaker.

The VIR 400 will begin at 1:00 pm EST on Sunday, October 9th at Virginia International Raceway. SPEED will air live coverage of the race starting a 1:00 PM EST. For additional race information log onto www.TheRaceSite.com.

Team Sahlen competes in the ROLEX Grand American Series with support from HRPWorld.com, GOJO, TheRaceSite.com, Rembrandt Charms, TheRaceMarket.com, Kempthorn Auto Mall, UNICHIP, Lamin-X, Racetech, and Grassroots Motorsports.

-ts-