Detroit: Randy Pobst race report

A Porsche Win In Motown

Detroit, MI (August 31, 2008) - Randy and his #1 K-PAX/3R Racing Porsche 911 GT3 team proved that they are the ones to beat at Sunday's race at the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, the eighth stop in the quest to win the 2008 SCCA SPEED World Challenge GT Championship. Randy was strong all weekend at the street circuit, with a first and second position in the two practice sessions and a 24th career pole in this morning's qualifying session. At the green flag, Randy launched into the lead and never lost it again, holding it through several yellow flags. Despite a last lap attempt by the Cadillac, Randy took his third win of the season.

"The car was terrific! It was a rewarding win with 140 lbs of "rewards" weight to slow us down. It is a testament to the great job the K-PAX team does in preparing our cars. Our suspension package is very successful and its all Will Moody. It is more competitive even than before. One of the keys to our first place finish was qualifying well. In practice, Will and I concentrated on qualifying and came up with a good setup. I also used the ChaseCam for extra practice laps which was very helpful. In qualifying, we were the first people on track and the track was dirty, moist and slick. The pole changed hands several times. We came in and made adjustments which made all the difference and we got first."

"The nature of this track was good for out Porsches with its small size and tight corners. Its kind of like running an autocross in some corners; tight and winding and difficult to pass. Our Porsche was very fast from the beginning and I was able to pull away from the Cadillac early in the race. Later, Andy was getting stronger and catching me. On the last lap he got next to me in the braking zone but I was able to hold him off. This was a big win for us."

"This win is a birthday present for our car chief, Paul Delio. He is largely responsible for the reliability which is the key to our lead in the championship. Paul, Will and the rest of the team gave us a fast car with a strong street course setup. I would like to thank my super hot flag person, my girlfriend Robin, for all her help and support. I would also like to thank my personal sponsors Team Janica Racing, Prairie Hills Motorsport Club, ChaseCam, and saferacer.com for their continued support."

Randy scored his fifth podium finish of the season and extended his Drivers' Championship lead to 116 points (827) over Andy Pilgrim (711), as well as Porsche's lead in the SPEED GT Manufacturers' Championship. There are still two races to go so anything can happen. The Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix will air on SPEED, September 12, at noon (EST). Randy's next race will be the KONI Challenge ST race at Miller Motorsports Park on September 21 with the APR Volkswagen GTI team. Round Nine of the SCCA SPEED GT Championship will be on September 28 at New Jersey Motorsports Park with the season Championship finale at Road Atlanta a week later.

Please try to check in on the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon tomorrow and offer your support. It is an organization that is very important to me (Randy's PR secretary Jennifer) and one that Randy supports. Also to those in Gustov's path, we as former Floridians understand and are thinking of you and hoping everyone is safe.

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-credit: www.randypobst.com