Heinemeier/Hansson Recover To Finish In Utah

SALT LAKE CITY, April 30, 2011: David Heinemeier Hansson and Porsche Napleton Racing (PNR) recovered from a repeat race-start contact incident from the same competitor who hit them last month at Sebring to finish Saturday’s IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama in the No. 37 Porsche Napleton Racing/37signals Porsche GT3.

“It was very frustrating to get taken out by the same guy who got me in the last race as well,” said Hansson, who finished 20th Saturday in the Platinum Cup class. “Especially because I thought I had cleared him and then he let the car roll backwards, which clipped my rear and made me go around.”

Hansson was able to get the damaged 37signals car back to the pits where some quick work by the PNR crew got him back on track. Although Hansson was several laps down and out of contention for the victory, he and the team basically turned the race into a qualifying session for tomorrow’s sprint. In dual format IMSA GT3 Cup events, the starting grid for the second race is determined by the first event’s fastest race laps.

“After the accident the car was banged up pretty good and the alignment was out of whack,” Hansson said. “None the less we managed an eighth-place starting position for tomorrow, just 8/10ths off the pole, so I'm satisfied with that. We have a good car, if we can just get a chance to run it clean.”

Saturday’s result was doubly disappointing after Hansson and PNR worked hard to overcome early weekend issues on Friday.

“The car was feeling great and it's incredibly mild on tires,” Hansson said. “The new JRZ tech we're running is definitely working its magic and the team has done a great job at getting the setup right.”

Hansson likes the Miller layout but it’s not without its challenges.

“Miller is a fun track, but there aren't a lot of passing opportunities, so you have to bide your time, which can be frustrating,” Hansson said.

Sunday’s second and final sprint race is scheduled to start at 12:45 p.m. local time.