Orbit Racing - Miami race

survivor!

Orbit Racing was both victim and survivor of the American Le Mans Series race 
on the streets of Miami.  Joe and Jay Policastro survived the 
attrition-filled race on the 1.22-mile temporary circuit to finish 10th in the GT class.  
Their teammates Peter Baron and Marc Lieb weren't as lucky, with an early 
retirement forced by contact with another GT car.

Jay Policastro started the No. 42 Classic Industries Porsche 911 GT3 RS from 
15th on the GT grid.  He moved up two positions during his first 20-minute 
stint.  Joe Policastro drove for the next 65 minutes of the two-hour 45-minute 
race, holding 13th.  Jay Policastro returned for the final 1h20 and gained three 
more positions to finish 10th in class.

Lieb started the No. 43 YES Network Porsche fourth in class and immediately 
moved up to third.  He was closing on the class leaders, but was hit by another 
Porsche 40 minutes into the race.  The impact broke the car's suspension, 
sending it into the tire wall.

Peter Baron

"It's a shame.  We had a great weekend going and it was ruined through no 
fault of our own.  Another team's driver couldn't be here, so they hired a 
fill-in driver, someone who's not used to running in the series.  On a street race 
like this, you really need to be familiar and know what you're doing.  I hope 
the series will look at this and try to learn from it."

Marc Lieb

"I was running behind the Saleen and catching up to the Alex Job guys.  I was 
lapping the 61 car, the PK Sport Porsche.  I was driving to the inside, he 
turned in and broke my steering and that was it.  I'm very disappointed.  All 
weekend, the car was fantastic - the crew did an awesome job again.  It's so bad 
because it was really one of our best weekends this year."

Jay Policastro

"We finished!  That was the goal for the day.  Traffic was pretty good; the 
big cars gave us lots of room.  Down to the end of the race, you could really 
tell there was attrition.  I ran five, six laps without seeing anybody.  That 
was a welcome surprise.  I think Joe and I both did a great job; we get to go 
home in one piece.  It will feel good to get back to Road Atlanta."

Joe Policastro

"We finished, and I thought it would be an accomplishment just finishing.  
The team did an outstanding job - we had some minor mishaps and they got us 
right back in the race again.  It was just one of those races; it was a test for 
everybody and they all came through at the right time.  That's what teamwork is 
all about."

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Sylvia Proudfoot
spur07@cs.com
403 287 3945