Petersen/ White Lightning Hopes to Keep Le Mans Success in ALMS

Petersen/ White Lightning Hopes to Keep Le Mans Success in ALMS

 

LAS VEGAS, Nev., June 24 2004 - Petersen Motorsports/ White Lightning
Racing had little time to celebrate last week's victory at the 24 Hours
of Le Mans. The GT class winning team, owned by Michael Petersen (Las
Vegas) and managed by Dale White (Las Vegas), rolled the Porsche 911 GT3
RSR into an airfreight container following the Le Mans victory
celebration still covered with the affects of racing 24 hours. The
Porsche was transported to Lexington, Ohio's Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
to take part in this Sunday's American Le Mans Series at Mid-Ohio. The
two hour, 45-minute race is the second of the 2004 American Le Mans
Series (ALMS) season. The Westward Ho Casino/ MMPIE/ PAWS/ Michelin
Porsche is third in the season-long chase for the team, driver and
manufacturers' title having taken the third step of the podium at the
season-opening Mobil1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in March.

 

Much must be done to the familiar Petersen/ White Lightning mount when
it arrives in the United States. The yellow and white Porsche with the
distinctive red lightning bolt down the side will be cleaned, the
six-cylinder "boxer" engine will be replaced with a new 'sprint' race
variant, regular maintenance and preparations will occur to assure that
no substantial wear has been placed on the car in 24 hours of
competition at La Sarthe in France. The final act, before the car is
rolled into International Motors Sports Association (IMSA) technical
inspection, will be to place the traditional No. 31 back onto the flanks
of the Porsche where No. 90 resided for the 24 Hours of Le Mans victory.


 

The Petersen/ White Lightning team is eager to return Mid-Ohio for the
first time since their legendary GT battle there in 2002 with rival Alex
Job Racing (AJR). Then, the No. 31 was bumped out of the lead late in
the going fighting for the team's first ALMS victory. Since, the team
has won the 2003 Road America 500 and two 24 Hours of Le Mans. 

 

Dale White, team manager: "It was nice to return home for a few days and
recover from mental exhaustion. But we'll be glad to get back to the
ALMS and continue our fight for the championship."

 

David Murry: "I have been waiting since Sebring to race the new car. We
went to Sebring conservative but now for Mid Ohio I think the plan is
sprint mode. I can't wait. It going to be tough competition and that's
what ALMS is all about."

 

Craig Stanton: "I am really excited about getting back with the
Petersen/ White Lightning team after the strong run we had at Sebring
and after the good run the team had at Le Mans. As a group we have all
gained momentum. I know I am on my game. David is certainly on his game
and the team, after Le Mans, is definitely on their game. I am eager to
get to Mid-Ohio, I love that track, it is one of my favorite tracks. I
think all the fans should get over and check out the car because it
isn't too often you see a Le Mans winning car. I think it is great we
get to run a car that has all of that heritage. The guys have learned a
lot in Le Mans and that is all going to carry-over to the rest of the
ALMS season." 

 

 

For more, please visit www.petersenmotorsports.com.  

 

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Digital images and complete team and driver bios available upon request.

Editors, please do not publish any contact information other than web
sites.  Thank you.

 

contact: Tom Moore, Petersen Motorsports/ White Lightning Racing,
615-778-1614 (office), 

404-229-3703 (cell), tom@darkhorsecom.com