Orbit Racing - Road Atlanta test day

back on track

Orbit Racing is back on track, after a quick turn-around following the team's 
second-place GT finish in the 24 Heures du Mans.  The team used Friday's test 
session to double-check car setup in preparation for Sunday's American Le 
Mans Series race on the 2.54-mile Road Atlanta road course in Braselton, Ga.  Leo 
Hindery and Peter Baron were sixth-fastest in the GT class with a time of one 
minute 26.285 seconds, driving the No. 43 YES Network Porsche 911 GT3 RS.

"There's something calming about being back in a car - Le Mans was such an 
up, we were anxious to get back in the car," Hindery said.  "It was hotter than 
heck today and the track was very dirty from the earlier sub-series so there 
was only one line and it was slippery.  But we're doing well, the [lap] times 
are good.  It's a sprint race  - three hours and a lot of luck.  At least 12 
cars could win this out of the 17 [GT cars], so we'll try to be one of the 12."

tough time

Joe and Jay Policastro struggled with an unknown gremlin in the No. 42 
Classic Industries Porsche, reflected in their best lap time of 1:28.373.

"It was frustrating because we're having some problems with the bodywork," 
Joe Policastro said.  "It's bouncing around and vibrating.  We don't know if 
something is broken, or it might be mechanical.  But we have a helluva crew 
trying to resolve it, so I'm sure we'll be in good shape for tomorrow's practice."

beat the heat

The Orbit Racing crew tried different ways to deal with the 87-degree heat 
and high humidity at Road Atlanta.  They removed both side windows to create 
airflow inside the race cars, but the drivers said the in-car venting system 
works better with the windows closed.  So the windows will go back on for 
Saturday's practice and qualifying.  The crew will also add mirror-tinted glass on the 
side and back windows to reduce heat inside the cars, and the drivers will 
use two different types of cooling systems inside their driver suits.

"We're going to put the windows back in because that will create the suction 
for the vents to work in the windows," crew chief Matt Bishop explained.  "S.o 
the aerodynamic gain we'll get will also be cooler for the drivers.  And the 
windows are tinted, too, so it's going to make a big difference."

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Sylvia Proudfoot
spur07@cs.com
403 287 3945