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VIR: Chris Bingham preview

ROLEX Grand American Champion Is Back in Driver Seat at VIR Bellevue, WA - Two time ROLEX Grand American GTS champion Chris Bingham is making his way back to ROLEX competition in the cockpit of a Daytona Prototype. Bingham has announced that he ...

ROLEX Grand American Champion Is Back in Driver Seat at VIR

Bellevue, WA - Two time ROLEX Grand American GTS champion Chris Bingham is making his way back to ROLEX competition in the cockpit of a Daytona Prototype. Bingham has announced that he will be co-driving with Johnny Miller, and Robert Chase in this weekend's race at Virginia International Raceway.

Bingham took a brief interlude in 2003 from ROLEX competition to participate in the NASCAR Busch Series with Jay Robinson Racing. After twelve stock car races, and one year of patiently awaiting his perfect opportunity, Bingham will make his return to the ROLEX series with Chase Competition Engineering at VIR.

Last June, Bingham suffered a serious head injury which kept him in the hospital for several days and out of competition for a month and a half. Since the accident he redirected his focus to finding a worthwhile effort. After over a year of waiting Bingham finally found the challenge and quality he was seeking through Robert Chase and Chase Competition Engineering. Bingham is excited to get back behind the wheel, especially in a Daytona Prototype. Although Bingham has extensive experience in sports car racing sports he will be driving the Chase Prototype for the first time.

"I am just anxious to get back into a car, I just haven't had a opportunity. I have been looking all year to drive a Daytona Prototype. I have not driven this car yet so our goal is to have a good showing, be somewhat competitive in the field, finish the race, and further develop the car," Bingham comments.

Bingham was scheduled to drive a Chase Prototype for the 2004 ROLEX 24 Hours but shortly before the race a decision was made not to enter the car in competition. It was only recently that Chase contacted Bingham with the opportunity he had been seeking.

"Robert [Chase] gave me a call last week and asked if I would drive for them. The car should be pretty competitive, if there was any track we could go to I am assuming this one would be best. It will be fun being back in the Grand American series and seeing everyone. I want to thank Robert for giving me a chance to drive. I hope this develops our relationship into next year. I'm looking forward to getting back into it," adds Bingham.

The No. 18 Chase Prototype made its debut this season during the February Homestead Race. VIR is the team's home track and they test there frequently. Chase, owner and engineer, is pleased with the car and what it is capable of.

"We have done a lot of testing at VIR and we have the car really competitive now. We decided that we would test the car in house and wanted to take it back out when we felt it would be competitive. The car is awesome and I have driven it when we tested. We have turned great test times. The brakes on the car are phenomenal. We went a different direction with the shocks and springs which made a world of difference. The setup on [the Daytona Prototypes] is so critical," states Chase.

Chase Competition Engineering has been very meticulous in developing this car. Their concentration has not just been making the car fit to compete but ready to compete at a high level. Their selection in drivers and crew are no mistake and are ready to bring in more drivers should someone seek the challenge as Bingham has.

"We have Hazardous Motorsport crewing the car. Chris and Johnny are both more than capable of getting the job done, that's why we are having them in there. The car is available if anyone is interested in it and we have another chassis ready to rock," Chase states.

Watch Chris Bingham and the Chase Competition Engineer team's pursuit of victory LIVE on SPEED Sunday, October 10th at 12:00pm EST. The Chase Competition Engineering Daytona Prototype is able to compete in this year's VIR 400 with support from World Wide Race Fuels.

-pp-

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