Lally Finds New Way to Fulfill His Need for Speed

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (October 9, 2002) -- Andy Lally has a need for speed, and when the engines are off he turns to an exciting new form of racing. Lally not only races in the Rolex Sports Car Series for G&W Motorsports/Momentum Motorcars and the Grand-Am Cup Series for Team Lexus, he also races in street luge competitions.

"It's a fun and affordable way to get some great head-to-head racing," said Lally. "For those of you who have no idea what it is, think of an ice luge with wheels. You lay down in the same position, and you lean your body to one side or another to turn. The main thing that sets street luge apart from ice luge is that we race four or six at a time, head-to-head instead of time trials to determine the winner."

While the differences between street luge and auto racing are vast, Lally does feel that there are quite a few similarities. "You use the same approach to luging as you do to racing. Different hills need different setups. And different corners need different driving/riding styles," explained Lally.

While the speeds are not the same, the challenge and adrenaline rush associated with all forms of racing remains intact. "Most of the hills we race on are challenging and technical courses where top speeds are normally in the range of 55 to 60 mph. Some courses have combinations of fast sweepers and hairpin turns that require braking and slowing to 20 to 25 mph."

Lally calls a recent street luge race San Francisco "one of the craziest things I have ever done." The Red Bull Streets of San Francisco race was held on the incredibly steep De Haro Street. "If it were not for the fact that Red Bull threw in a ton of prize money for the winners, I don't know if anybody would have gone down the hill. The road had two intersections that were flat, which meant as we went through them we launched off the other side (of the intersection), coming completely off the ground with our luges," told Lally.

While street luging fulfills Lally's need for speed in between road races, Lally's first love remains behind the wheel. He will finish out the Rolex Series and Grand-Am Cup seasons next month at the Grand American Finale at Daytona International Speedway, November 8-10 and is looking forward to sliding behind the wheel of a new Daytona Prototype in 2003.

Tickets are currently on sale for the Grand American Finale in Daytona and may be purchased by calling 386-253-RACE (7223). For additional information on the Rolex Series and Grand-Am Cup visit www.grand-am.com.