Orbit Racing - Daytona preview

Orbit edge

Orbit Racing has a double edge heading to Daytona (Fla.) International 
Speedway for the Rolex Sports Car Series race on July 1. Orbit won the GT class and 
finished second overall in the Rolex 24 at Daytona on Feb. 1, after leading 
the class for almost the entire 24-hour race. The team is also carrying momentum 
from its podium finish in a six-hour Rolex Series race at Watkins Glen 
International on June 20.

The Paul Revere 250 race will run in its traditional late-night slot. Orbit 
Racing will field the No. 44 Classic Industries Porsche 911 GT3 RS for Joe and 
Jay Policastro of Latrobe, Pa., and Mike Fitzgerald of Fountain Hills, Ariz. 
Jay Policastro noted the difference between the season-opening 24-hour 
endurance race and this week's two-hour 45-minute sprint on the 3.56-mile Daytona 
infield road course.

"In a 24-hour event, consistency and a trouble-free race are what you need. 
In the sprint race, you need to be trouble-free but you also need raw speed. 
Every second of every lap and pit stop is crucial. That means every lap is 
all-out during your stint and you are not as cautious or courteous as you would be 
during a 24-hour race," he explained. "The 24-hour win will for sure give us 
confidence going into the event, however we need to be aware of some of the 
other teams that were fast but exited the 24-hour event early."

repeat

Mike Fitzgerald has class wins in both the Rolex 24 at Daytona (2001 and 
2004) and in the Paul Revere race (2000). He expects this week's race pace will be 
slower than the Rolex 24 because of the hot Florida sun.

"The higher temperatures will be the biggest factor in producing slower lap 
times. Even during the 24-hour race, the times at night are always much quicker 
than those in the daytime due to the cooler temperatures. Cooler temperatures 
mean more engine power and more grip in the infield," he noted. "The Orbit 
car is always quick at Daytona and I think we've improved the car since the 
first race, so if we can come close to matching our speed in February, we should 
be in good shape.  We're back on a roll after a good performance at Watkins 
Glen, so I'm looking forward to returning to Daytona."

Boggy Creek

Joe and Jay Policastro will visit Camp Boggy Creek in Eustis, Fla. on July 1, 
prior to the Rolex Series race. The camp provides both summer fun and full 
medical support for children who have chronic or life-threatening illnesses.

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Sylvia Proudfoot
spur07@cs.com
403 287 3945