Rand Racing Watkins Glen victory

Watkins Glen International
race, June 23, 2002

 


Rand Racing moved a step closer to top honors in the Rolex Sports Car Series, 
with its sixth consecutive win in the SRPII class and first and second place 
overall in Sunday's six-hour race at Watkins Glen International.  Terry 
Borcheller, Ralf Kelleners and Anthony Lazzaro were first in class and second 
overall in the No. 8 Nissan Lola.  Marino Franchitti, Niclas Jönsson and Bill 
Rand finished second in class, third overall in the No. 7 Lola.  Kelleners 
set the fastest SRPII lap, covering the 3.4-mile course in one minute 45.460 
seconds.  The win increased the team's lead in series SRPII team and driver 
(Borcheller) championship points.

Terry Borcheller   "It's great!  This is my third win here at The Glen and 
the fourth time I've been here, and I think this has been the best overall.  
With the team - not just the crew but also the drivers, the cars that are so 
reliable and the whole package, it's just awesome!"

Ralf Kelleners   "It was a very tough race because of the temperature.  All 
the drivers were surprised how tough it was, but the car ran without a 
problem.  We didn't have a lot of time in practice, but we were lucky and 
made the right decisions so we got a very good setup so we could safely pull 
out some quick lap times."

Anthony Lazzaro   "To win the six hours is pretty special.  The main thing is 
the cars run and run and run and we never have any mechanical problems - 
knock on wood -- and when you have that kind of preparation, these are the 
kind of results you get."

Marino Franchitti   "It's a great result for the team.  The Rand Racing guys 
have done a fantastic job, Nic drove awesomely and I backed him up okay.  [On 
being the first Scot on the podium at Watkins Glen since Jackie Stewart in 
1972] That's pretty cool 'cause I know Jackie Stewart pretty well, so it's 
amazing."

Niclas Jönsson   "It was my first time here at The Glen, but Ralf, Anthony 
and Terry have been here before and they really helped Bill, Marino and me to 
set up the car.  Our engineers Jeff Braun and Thomas Blam have done a great 
job all weekend, along with the crew.  They always prep the cars great and 
the car ran flawless all day long."

Bill Rand   "We keep inching closer and closer to an overall victory, but 
second and third overall is spectacular.  Without this crew and the group of 
drivers we have, it couldn't be done.  I owe much gratitude to them.  I'm 
just like a kid in a candy store today, very happy."

###

Sylvia Proudfoot
403 287 3945
spur07@cs.com