The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

WEC - Dalziel Wins Brazilian Round


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)

Sao Paulo, Sep. 16, 2012: Ryan Dalziel produced a flawless drive to help Starworks Motorsport to a stunning win in Brazil and extend their lead in the FIA World Endurance Championship LMP2 class.

The Scot was inspired by being at the home track of his motor racing idol, Ayrton Senna, and was determined to follow in his footsteps by making it on to the top step of the podium.

Ryan – who lives in Windermere, Florida, but originally comes from Lanarkshire – was instantly on the pace and produced a string of blistering laps to set up the win.

He was joined by Venezuelan Enzo Potolicchio and French ace Stephane Sarrazin for the trip to Sao Paulo and the talented trio were in command of the class almost from the moment they arrived at the circuit.

Stephane qualified the #44 Starworks Honda HPD on class pole, then Enzo fired in a great stint before handing over to Ryan. He immediately felt at home on the track and swept the car into the lead then Stephane completed the job.

The result means Starworks are now 28 points ahead in the FIA World Endurance Championship, but Ryan has a clash at the end of the month. While the WEC goes to Bahrain, Ryan’s sensational third place in the Rolex Grand-Am Sports Car Series at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca has meant he still has a chance of taking the title.

He will miss Bahrain to race at Lime Rock in Connecticut in a bid to overhaul the 13-point gap to Ganassi Racing duo Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas.

“It really was a perfect race for myself and the whole Starworks team. The car was really good to drive from the moment we got there so it was important for us to maintain our points lead and stretch it if possible.

“There were some problems on the first lap for some of our closest rivals and that definitely took some pressure off the first couple hours.

“But, from mid-race on, we were really focused on executing a perfect race and we delivered. It seems as though this team continues to get stronger and stronger every race and I cannot wait to get back out there.

“We took a lot of points out of our nearest competitor and are now 28 points in the lead so couldn’t be any happier.

“As for Brazil and the Sao Paulo circuit, I grew up idolizing Ayrton Senna so to go to his home track and win was very special for me – I had always dreamed of being able to say I had raced there and won as he had.

“What an amazing day. Now I have to concentrate on trying to win Lime Rock where the team has opted to allowed me to go and try to win the DP championship. It really will be a dream season if I can win both championships and I intend to fight to the end.”