Orbit Racing - race

mixed result

Orbit Racing had mixed fortunes during the American Le Mans Series race 
weekend at Road America.  Marc Lieb and Peter Baron led the GT class in the first 
two track sessions and Lieb qualified third in class in the No. 43 YES Network 
Porsche 911 GT3 RS, but the pair retired after 90 minutes of the two-hour 
45-minute race.  Leo Hindery, Jay Policastro and Joe Policastro turned in a strong 
performance in the No. 42 Classic Industries Porsche, with personal best 
times in practice and qualifying, plus an 11th-place GT finish.

Baron started the No. 43 Porsche from third on the GT grid.  He pitted after 
67 minutes, just before the first caution period.  Lieb took over, lost a lap 
behind the safety car, then pitted for repairs to his passenger-side door when 
the locking device broke.  He regained third position at 1h30, but was 
sidelined a minute later with a broken left-rear suspension.

Joe Policastro started the No. 42 Porsche from 13th in class and drove the 
first 50 minutes.  Leo Hindery drove the second stint and Jay Policastro took 
the final hour.  The trio stayed in the top-15 throughout the race and finished 
11th.

Baron and Hindery will team in the No. 43 Porsche for the next race, at 
Laguna Seca Raceway on Sept. 7.  Lieb will return for the ALMS race in Miami on 
Sept. 28.  Jay and Joe Policastro will race the No. 42 Porsche for the rest of 
the season.

Peter Baron

"We had a strong car going into the race but it just didn't work out.  We've 
had so much bad luck all year - even when we got on the podium last week, we 
still had bad luck and we just had more bad luck this time.  We just can't 
shake this monkey.  But hopefully we'll get it turned around and when Marc comes 
back, we'll have a good one in Miami."

Marc Lieb

"The problems started right at the beginning of the race.  Peter did a great 
job because the car was terrible to drive.  Then I had to stop the car because 
of the suspension problem.  I really enjoyed the three weekends with Orbit.  
It was good fun and we had one podium finish.  I'm really looking forward to 
the Miami race - we're going to kick ass there."

Leo Hindery

"It was a privilege to race with the Policastros and I'm grateful to Joe and 
Jay.  We had an 11th-place finish on th 42 car, but the disappointment is with 
the 43 car that had some suspension problems.  It looked like it could have 
won today.  But on to Laguna Seca, which we always enjoy.  It's always great to 
go back to California."

Jay Policastro

"The credit really goes to the first two guys who drove; they gave me the 
inspiration to keep going at the end - it was a little warm!  Joe and Leo did a 
great job; it was a pleasure to have Leo in the car this weekend.  The Orbit 
crew guys did great pitstops, as always.  The car was beautifully prepared.  
They had the fuel calculated perfectly - it started spitting on the cool-down lap 
in turn one."

Joe Policastro

"It's a bit of surprise to finish as well as we did because of the great 
competition out there.  We never put a wheel off, the car ran perfectly, the crew 
did an outstanding job.  Rodger [Hawley, team owner] and the boys really 
deserve a lot of credit for this.  We had a little misfortune with the other car, 
but we got one to finish.  We're looking forward to California."

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Sylvia Proudfoot
spur07@cs.com
403 287 3945