Orbit Racing - Sebring race 1

early out

A powerful run in the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring came to an abrupt halt when 
an engine problem took the No. 43 YES Network Porsche out of the race.  The 
Orbit Racing car qualified second in the GT class, but was forced to start at 
the back of the grid because of a ride-height issue discovered in 
post-qualifying technical inspection.

Marc Lieb drove the first stint and moved from last to fourth in class in 
less than 30 minutes.  He pitted after 45 minutes because of a left-front 
tire puncture, and Peter Baron took the wheel.  Just past the one-hour mark 
of the 12-hour race, Baron stopped on course with an engine problem and the 
car retired from the race.  Leo Hindery, did not drive.

The second Orbit Racing car, the No. 42 Classic Industries Porsche, remains 
in the race.


Tim Munday, technical director
"Marc developed a tire issue about three-quarters of the way through his run, 
probably due to the pace he was setting.  So we swapped out, changed to Peter 
and then the engine developed some kind of a problem, which stopped us on 
track.  When you're stopped on track here, unless you can drive the car back, 
you can't fix it.  That was the end of the day."

Leo Hindery
"We're obviously disappointed, but I'd rather fall out of the race for a 
mechanical knowing we had a car that could win, than to fall out knowing we 
had a car that couldn't win.  We put it number two on the grid, fell back to 
the rear of the grid because of a ride-height issue, yet Marc moved us back 
into fourth in class.  It was clear to all of us that we could have won this 
race.  That was the best car the three of us have had the privilege of 
running.  Tim deserves all the credit for that."

Peter Baron 
"Unfortunately, a tragic end to a great week.  On Monday and Wednesday we 
were fastest, and we were never slower than fourth in any session.  We were 
running strong, Marc had us from last on the grid up to fourth in about 25 
minutes and he was closing on the top three.  It was a phenomenal drive by 
Marc.  Nothing but superlatives about his effort, and the same goes for the 
crew for giving us a car that could do it.  We should have a good foundation 
for the rest of the season."

Marc Lieb
"At the beginning, I was miles away from the others, but I caught up quite 
easily and it was really fun.  The car was running perfectly.  I had some 
troub le with the front left tire, probably a puncture, so I had to come in a 
bit earlier.  But I got up to fourth, so it was a good run.  The problem with 
the engine was really disappointing - the car was running so good, everything 
was just perfect."

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Sylvia Proudfoot
spur07@cs.com
403 287 3945