SAMAX - Homestead preview

The SAMAX Motorsport crew made a fast change from international mode to
hometown, returning from the Rolex Sports Car Series race in Mexico City to
prepare for the next event at Homestead Motor Speedway in Homestead, Fla.
The team is based 70 miles north of the track in Pompano Beach, Fla.,
ensuring a quick commute for the March 25 race.

 

SAMAX will field two Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars in the two-hour 45-minute
race. Rob Bell of Northampton, England, will return to the No. 17 SAMAX
Porsche, driving with John Dalziel of Glasgow, Scotland. Dave Lacey and Greg
Wilkins, both of Toronto, will continue in the No. 71 SAMAX/Doncaster Racing
Porsche, hoping for another strong performance after finishing seventh in
the GT class in Mexico City.

 

performance tradoff

 

SAMAX/Doncaster veterans Dave Lacey and Greg Wilkins have the skills and
knowledge required to race on the 2.3-mile Homestead circuit, which combines
a banked oval and an infield road course. Lacey explained the compromises
inherent in the track design.

 

"Homestead is a unique 'roval' challenge in its combination of a technical
infield and high-speed oval corners. High-speed oval stability and handling
through the infield usually present contradictions in terms of suspension
setup. Car setup is key at facilities like this, where tradeoffs between
performance on and off the oval are pronounced," he explained. "We are
looking forward to Homestead after our good result in Mexico."

 

preference or preparation?

 

Rob Bell and John Dalziel have completed a single race each in the Rolex
Series, both strong debuts with SAMAX. Dalziel notched a GT podium finish
with the team in 2004 and Bell posted a solid sixth-place class finish in
Mexico City last month.

 

Bell previously raced at Homestead in 2003, in a Fran-Am open-wheel car.
Does his previous success mean the track suits his driving style? He
believes it's more a matter of preparation.

 

"I raced at Homestead in Fran-Am, qualified on pole and finished second, so
it was quite good prep for me. It brings back good memories!" he recalled.
"If you ask someone their favorite racing track, it's the one they've won at
the most. It only suits you if you win there. If everything hooks up and the
engineers get it right and the driver gets it right, then it all works. If
we go there with a good attitude and work hard, then the track will suit
me."

 

Dalziel warmed up for the Homestead Rolex Series race with another favorite
sport – snowboarding aerials. "I like going really fast," he said. "I like
anything that's a bit crazy, challenging and exciting, not mundane."

 

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Sylvia Proudfoot
HYPERLINK "mailto:sylvia@spurcom.ca"sylvia@spurcom.ca
403 287 3945