Orbit Racing - Road America preview

full strength

Orbit Racing will field two cars for the American Le Mans Series race at Road 
America on Aug. 24.  Peter Baron of Deerfield Beach, Fla., and Marc Lieb of 
Niefern, Germany, will again team in the No. 43 YES Network Porsche 911 GT3 RS. 
 Joe and Jay Policastro of Latrobe, Pa., will return to the No. 42 Classic 
Industries Porsche after missing two races to work on a major project for their 
primary sponsor.

"We have raced at Road America many times over the past 10 years," Jay 
Policastro said.  "The course is very exciting to drive.  The carousel is very 
challenging - if your car is set up well, you can have a great day; if not, you are 
holding on.  It is a blast!  It has two nice long straights that let us use 
that Porsche Motorsport power."

But the track isn't the only attraction.  "You can never talk about Road 
America without mentioning the great local food," he added.  "These items are not 
usually on my diet, but I will make an exception this weekend."

fuel play

Baron and Lieb notched a GT podium finish at the last ALMS race, at Mosport 
International Raceway.  They hope their second-place finish in the 24 Heures du 
Mans in June and the Mosport podium will provide the momentum for another 
strong finish at Road America.  The 4.048-mile road course in Elkhart Lake, Wis., 
is Baron's home track.

"I've raced there more than anywhere else," he confirmed.  "The track is 
great for racing, with long straightaways and enough room for the different 
classes to pass.  Road America tends to use local yellows [caution flags] versus 
full-course yellows and that brings fuel mileage into play because this is the 
highest fuel-consumption race.  You almost have to anticipate green-flag 
pitstops, so trying to play the fuel game becomes a lot more strategic."

paddock games

Orbit Racing will present its Victory Laps slot-car competition at Road 
America on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 23 and 24.  The program supports the Victory 
Junction Gang Camp for children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses, 
founded by NASCAR driver Kyle Petty and his wife Pattie in memory of their son, 
Adam.

Fans who donate $5 to Victory Junction will compete on the Victory Laps track 
in the Orbit paddock.  The Saturday winner will be treated to dinner at 
Marion's trackside hospitality, served by the Orbit Racing drivers.  Sunday's fast 
racers will win a Scalextric slot-car set or a Michelin Man bobblehead doll.

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Sylvia Proudfoot
spur07@cs.com
403 287 3945