Rocketsports Racing San Jose Preview
My apologies for the first mailing, as it was blank when it sent to most of you. We are using a new system for the first time. Sorry for any inconvenience. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Heather Haupt ▪ cell: (517) 927-8472 ▪ e-mail: heatherh@rocketsportsracing.com mailto:heatherh@rocketsportsracing.comANOTHER NEW VENUE, ANOTHER NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR ROCKETSPORTS RACING TO CAPITALIZE EAST LANSING, Mich. (July 26, 2005) – The Rocketsports duo of Timo Glock and Ryan Hunter-Reay get set to kick off the second half of the Bridgestone Presents The Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford 2005 schedule this weekend by capitalizing on the level playing field that the new San Jose, California venue has to offer.In 2005, the Champ Car World Series schedule saw three new venues added to the lineup. Round seven of the Champ Car World Series was hosted in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and was an event that saw record crowds and immediately became the biggest Champ Car event in Canada, in only its inaugural race. This weekend, the series looks to be successful again in another new market, as the Champ Cars take to the 1.448-mile temporary street course in downtown San Jose. Rookie-of-the-Year point’s leader, Glock, couldn’t be more excited about heading to another new venue. A solid run in Edmonton almost saw the young German finish with his best Champ Car result, but instead he was taken out with only four laps to go. He is comfortable with the team and feels that he has the confidence in the #8 DHL Global Mail Ford-Cosworth/Lola/Bridgestone and himself to run in the top five, but Glock believes that he needs a little luck on his side to make all ends meet out on the track. Having had a few tough breaks this season, his consistency has been the key to this rookie’s Champ Car orientation. Besides the two unfortunate DNF’s (Did Not Finish’s) this season, Glock has managed to finish in the top ten for five out of the seven races. With an objective to take the Rookie-of-the-Year honors, Glock has maintained the point’s lead in six of seven races this season, and holds onto his highest lead, eight markers over Andrew Ranger, as he takes to the streets of San Jose. Aside from the on-track battle with five other drivers for Rookie-of-the-Year, Glock is also fighting for high rankings in the Championship standings with an overall total of 18 drivers. As the only rookie to be found in the top ten of the Champ Car standings, Glock gained one spot during the last race weekend to move to his highest position in the standings, ninth. Hunter-Reay looks forward to racing on the streets of San Jose. The Florida native actually spends most of his time, when not at a race track, in southern California with his girlfriend Becci. Naturally excited to race in front of family and friends, the American is also excited for another new venue. The third-year driver has experienced all the Champ Car venues and is always up for a new challenge. He is eager because this is an event that levels the playing field, putting all teams in the same situation and starting from scratch. Hunter-Reay has had a bit of a struggle thus far, but with several races under his belt with his new Rocketsports team, they look to have a better second half as the team continues to mesh and make strides during each day on track. Returning to a street circuit, Hunter-Reay looks to repeat the success that the team had on the last street venue in Toronto where he earned his best 2005 result. They carry the positive momentum of a sixth place finish on to their next street venue in San Jose this weekend aiming to improve on that result and obtain a podium finish.The inaugural Taylor Woodrow Grand Prix of San Jose kicks off in the Bay Area on Friday, July 28 with a morning practice session and provisional qualifying. Saturday will allow for more practice time, before final qualifying takes place that afternoon at 2:00 p.m. local time. The race is scheduled to take the green flag at 2:00 p.m. local time on Sunday. SPEED channel will host a 30-minute qualifying show to air on Sunday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. ET, just before the live race coverage that will start at 4:30 p.m. ET.Notes Formed in 1985 by racecar driver and businessman Paul Gentilozzi, Rocketsports Racing is based in East Lansing, Michigan. In addition to a two-car Champ Car entry, the team runs a multi-car effort in the Trans-Am Series.Rocketsports Champ Car entry started in 2003. The team expanded to a two-car endeavor in 2004. Hunter-Reay will drive the #31 Cytomax Sport Drink car and Glock will pilot the #8 DHL Global Mail machine.Rocketsports has recorded one victory (Road America, 2004) and two poles (Milwaukee, Montreal, 2003).Hunter-Reay is a product of the Champ Car ladder system. Coming up through the ranks, Hunter-Reay last participated in the Toyota Atlantic Championship before making his way into Champ Car.Hunter-Reay has recorded two Champ Car victories (Australia, 2003, Milwaukee, 2004) in two years of competition. He also holds the record for leading the most laps in a single event in the history of Champ Car, making him the youngest driver to win a Champ Car oval race and is the first American in over two decades to win a Champ Car race as a rookie.Representing Germany in the Champ Car World Series, Glock is a graduate of the Deutsche Post Speed Academy and has shown his driving talents by winning multiple championships and honors throughout the European ranks.Glock, a former Formula driver, started as a test driver during 2004 in a season that saw him make his F1 debut, followed by three other appearances (China, Japan, and Brazil).This is Glock’s first season in the Champ Car World Series.The Taylor Woodrow Grand Prix of San Jose will mark the 40th start for Rocketsports in the Champ Car World Series. Quotes Timo Glock #8 DHL Global Mail/Rocketsports Ford-Cosworth/Lola/Bridgestone “I am excited to go to San Jose, especially after coming from such a successful Champ Car debut event in Edmonton. It is another new track for the Champ Car veterans, but for me they are all new since I am a rookie. However, it is much easier for me to go into a new Champ Car event because everyone has to learn the track, not just me. The track looks small and very interesting. It will be a challenge to drive and definitely a hard race, come Sunday. I hope that we can have another chance for some luck – as we were so close to a good finish in Edmonton, before our luck ran out. We had a good car in Edmonton, so I am confident as we head to San Jose knowing that I felt good in the car and with a few changes, we should be running back where we belong – in the top five.”Ryan Hunter-Reay #31 Cytomax Sport Drink/Rocketsports Ford-Cosworth/Lola/Bridgestone “It is great to be heading to another new venue. The series is coming off of its most successful Canadian race event after the new race in Edmonton, so it will be exciting to see how things go in San Jose. There couldn’t be a better market to stage a race in, than San Jose. Another new venue is also good for our current team situation, as it will be a level playing field once again. We have to take advantage of that and make good progress the balance of the car over the weekend in order to find us running up front and aiming for a podium finish on Sunday.” - RSR - Subscriptions: [Champ Car Press Releases] Change subscriptions: http://rocket.cmagic.com/index.php?option=com_mamml&Itemid=&action=unregistered&type=unregistered&userid=1294&test=a316e055424f1abe35a0c84e23d899f1