VIR: Synergy Racing race report

Tough home event for Synergy Racing at VIR

Alton, VA. (28 April 08)-- Despite a strong start to the race weekend, The Bosch Engineering 250 at VIR didn't play out as Synergy Racing was hoping as the No. 80 Oil Heat America.com Porsche GT3 of Patrick Long and David Murry came home 14th in the Rolex Sports Car Series GT class on Sunday.

The sister Synergy Racing Courtyard by Mariott-sponsored entry of Milton, Carey, and Kevin Grant finished 22nd in the GT tally after starting from 26th on the grid.

Murry of Cumming, Ga. opened the race from sixth on the 45-car field and moved up quickly. However the race plan was thwarted when the Oil Heat America.com machine was called in for a pit procedure penalty after an early stop for service, sending the machine a lap down early. Despite the setback, the team fought on as Patrick Long took over the controls. Despite the strong early pace for the Synergy Racing No. 80 Oil Heat America.com Porsche GT3, the home team was forced to accept a 14th place finish after a tough day of racing.

"It was an adventurous day," said Long. "We had a great car, which is a testament to the hard work ethic of this Synergy Racing team that we even had a car to race after all the work they did to get ready after Mexico City. David had a great opening stint running in the top five, but we ended up spending too much time in the pits for various reasons, and unfortunately it just wasn't our day today."

"It was great to be back with this team, just like putting on an old glove," said Murry. "It was a shame what happened to our race because we had a car that could run with pretty much anyone out there. So it's disappointing, but I want to thank Oil Heat America.com for the opportunity to race with Synergy and Patrick (Long) this weekend."

The No. 71 Courtyard by Marriott entry had a steady day as Carey Grant opened the race before turning the machine over to his brother Kevin Grant, who then turned the machine over to his father Milton to bring home to the finish.

"We had some fun out there and just kept out of trouble," said Milton, whose SCCA driving school classmates included Bobby Rahal and Dorsey Schroeder.

"It was good to get that full stint in, I feel like I learned a lot out there, but I think I'm still trying to catch up to everything this car can do," said Carey. "The Daytona Prototypes were predictable, so fortunately that didn't cause any problems today. It was great running with this team and we had a blast today!"

-credit: sr