ALMS: Lewis back in Callaway C12-R for Petit LeMans

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

September 26, 2001

JUPITER, Fla. -Shane Lewis will return to the cockpit of the Callaway C12-R at the October 6 Petit Le Mans season finale race of the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). The 10 hour or 1,000 mile Petit Le Mans event held at Road Atlanta will re-unit Lewis with Aspen Knolls Racing, owned by Bob Mazzuoccola. The Jupiter, Florida-driver has competed with Aspen Knolls for the past several years. Michael Colucci Racing (MCR) is preparing the GT-class car.

“I am excited about being back with Aspen Knolls and MCR,” said Lewis from the Florida shop of MCR. “I feel like I am back with family for the one of the biggest events of the year. Bob [Mazzuoccola, owner of Aspen Knolls Racing] and I have worked together for so long that it has been strange not being at the track with him. American Viperacing (AVR) gave me a great opportunity coming out of the leg surgery while the Callaway was on hiatus. I certainly appreciate the opportunity to help AVR develop their program.”

The Callaway made its first North American appearance in the hands of Lewis at Sebring International Raceway in late February pre-season testing. As the lead-driver of the Aspen Knolls team, Lewis drove the C12’s only two US appearances at the Texas Motor Speedway and the 12 Hours of Sebring.

Lewis, looking over the Goodyear tire-shod Callaway in the MCR shop, spoke with enthusiasm, “With the changes MCR has been making to this car we should have a good chance at the Petit Le Mans. Road Atlanta should play well into this car’s horsepower and aerodynamic advantages. There is some steep competition with the BMWs and Porsches in the GT-class but if we can set a good strategy and follow it, we will surprise some people.”

The #12 Aspen Knolls Callaway C12-R will be co-driven by Bob Mazzuoccola, of Staten Island, New York and Cort Wagner of Los Angeles, California in the GT-class. Lewis, who has scored points in both the ALMS GTS and GT classes in 2001, will test the MCR-revised C12-R at Road Atlanta on Sunday, September 30 in preparation for the season-ending endurance event.

The fourth annual Petit Le Mans will be shown live on Speedvision beginning at noon (EDT) on Saturday October 6. Practice for the new American racing classic begins on Wednesday, October 3 with qualifying on Friday, October 5th.

Text provided by Tom Moore

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