Drivers Fall In Love With Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant During Testing

MONT-TREMBLANT, Quebec (September 12, 2002) -- Rolex Sports Car Series and Grand-Am Cup Street Stock Series drivers got their first taste of Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant today during testing for this weekend's 6 Heures du Circuit Mont-Tremblant. After only a few laps around the course, the newly renovated Mont-Tremblant was an instant favorite among the drivers.

"It's really a stunning track. I'm never going to race in Europe ever again, because they spoil the track by putting in those second gear chicanes everywhere. Here they have proper corners. It's amazing. We have fifth and sixth gear corners; hammering around the corners. It's great!" remarked Dyson Racing's Andy Wallace.

"It's a very nice track. It was built a long time ago with a lot of challenge in all the corners, a lot of blind corners, which is good. But you need to know the racetrack really well. It's really a driver's racetrack, and so far I like it," added points leader Didier Theys.

"I think it's a spectacular layout, and its loaded with all kinds of exciting corners. It's everything you look for in a track," commented Chris Dyson. "This is definitely the proper racing surface - no chicanes. It's just the way it should be when your driving through the country. It's peaceful, it's beautiful and it's a privilege."

"The track is awesome. It's one of my favorites," said GT points leader Bill Auberlen. "I'm still getting used to it. We've got work to do, but we were quick during testing. We just did a long run to see how the tires would last. It was about equal to half a stint, because that is all the session would allow, where we just banged away lap after lap just to make sure things were reliable, and they seem good."

Lienhard Senior, Junior Partner In First Race

For the first time ever, Fredy Lienhard Sr. and his son Fredy Lienhard Jr. will team up together for a race. The father-son duo will pilot the #27 Judd-powered Dallara of Doran Lista Racing with Didier Theys in the 6 Heures du Mont-Tremblant.

"I would have never dreamed of being able to drive on a team together, because when he was growing up I knew I was getting older. It's a window of opportunity because he is old enough to be in and I'm not too old to get out. This is a great opportunity," said the elder Lienhard, who will celebrate his 55th birthday on Saturday.

"I think it's going to be fun. I've been waiting for a long time to do this, and finally we can do it together," remarked the 22-year-old Lienhard. "My father helps me. He gives me a lot of good advice that I take, and I try to give my best."

"He is already faster than me, but I have a little more experience. In endurance races you have to get to the finish line, and that's all you have to do. He's got the speed, but he's got to get to the finish line. And for me, I have to make sure I'm not too slow," laughed Lienhard Sr., who captured his first Rolex 24 At Daytona overall victory in February with Theys, Mauro Baldi and Max Papis.

There will be a little added pressure on the Lienhard family this weekend as the Doran Lista team tries to hold onto their lead in the Rolex Series SportsRacing Prototype standings. Theys leads rival Chris Dyson by only six points, while the Doran Lista team holds a narrow two-point advantage over the Dyson Racing Team. "It puts some pressure on us. It definitely doesn't make it easier," admits the junior Lienhard.

Weaver Returns to Dyson Racing Lineup

The Dyson Racing Team added Englishman James Weaver to the driver lineup for the #16 Judd-powered Crawford. The two-time Rolex Series champion returns to the team after missing his first-ever Rolex Series race earlier this month at Virginia International Raceway. Rookie driver Chris Dyson and fellow-Englishman Andy Wallace will share driving duties with Weaver in the Crawford this weekend.

"I haven't (raced with James in a while), and you have to mentally prepare for such an experience," joked Wallace about his teammate. "He has a driving style all his own. I've been in a rival car to him and followed him and you just can't believe the angles he gets the car at in the turns. He's going to have to behave himself this weekend and fit in with me and Chris, but I'm sure he will. He's adaptable."

The racing action will get underway on Friday with practice session for the Rolex Series and Grand-Am Cup. Qualifying for the Grand-Am Cup Mont-Tremblant 250 will be held on Friday at 3:10 p.m. Tickets are currently on sale for the Grand-Am Cup Mont-Tremblant 250 and Rolex Series 6 Heures du Circuit Mont-Tremblant online at www.lecircuit.com.

Additional information on the Rolex Series and Grand-Am Cup is available online at www.grand-am.com