Shane Lewis Excited About Returning to Nürburgring

Jupiter, July 17, 2009:Shane Lewis returns to the Nürburgring this weekend competing in the 6h ADAC Ruhr-Pokal-Rennen driving the no. 110 Gotz Motorsports Audi RS4 with co-driver Vic Rice. The 6 hour event is the sporting highlight in the unique BF Goodrich Langstreckenmeisterschaft Nürburgring. Lewis has been competing full time in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series since 2005 and this has been his first opportunity to return to the world famous facility since his earlier triumphs in Germany.

Lewis has had a stream of success driving Porsches on this challenging course beginning with his first time competing in the 2000 European Le Mans Series taking 3rd place on the GP course. Then, in 2004 he made the most of his opportunity to drive the long course in the prestigious Nürburgring 24 hour placing 3rd in class and 19th overall out of 243 entries. He now returns with his 2004 & 2005 24- hours of Nürburgring event co-driver Vic Rice and a goal of getting to the top of step of the podium.

“I am really excited about getting back to Nürburgring racing with Gotz Motorsports and having Vic as my co-driver,” Lewis said. “When I got the call to come over and race I immediately said ‘yes.’ I couldn’t resist the opportunity to run at one of my all time favorite road courses with not only a friend but a very talented co-driver.”

Lewis will get to show his versatility this year as he will be in the cockpit of an Audi for the first time on the German circuit.

“I am looking forward to driving the Audi RS4,” he said. “I understand it’s an awesome car. I can’t wait to drive it for the first time on Friday. I will have to refresh myself remembering the over 15 mile course and getting to know a new car. Weather says it may rain the entire weekend. I can’t wait for this challenge.”

The BF Goodrich Endurance Championship series is comprised of 10 grueling events. While the typical race is four-hours long, the season-highlight event at Nürburgring is an especially challenging six- hour event. The unique circuit is one of the longest, closed-circuit race courses in the world at 25.359 kilometers (15.75 miles). The 73- turn road course is made up of sections of public road and the 4.55 km Grand Prix course used in the Formula One World Championship.

Lewis’ history of achievements competing in endurance races beginning with the 1990 24 Hour of Nelson Ledges (Ohio), when he was asked to attend as a relief driver. Lewis set the quickest time of the lineup in a limited number of laps and then earned the pole position and setting the fastest race lap on his way to the Showroom Stock Prototype overall victory in his first 24 hour race. He returned to Nelson Ledges twice more, again sweeping pole position, fastest race lap and the class victory in 1991 and another victory in '92.

He’s since had 12 starts in the 24 Hours At Daytona, competed 3 times in the 24 hours of Le Mans (’99, ’00,’03) and twice in the 24 hours of Nürburgring (’04, ’05). Other classic endurance race starts include the 12 Hours of Sebring ('97-'98, '00- '03), the Petit Le Mans ('98-'01, '03) and a victory at the 2007 12 Hours of Magny-Course.

The 6h ADAC Ruhr-Pokal-Rennen takes place on Saturday, July 18th at 12:00 and will run the distance of six hours. The timed practice is scheduled to take place between 08.30 a.m. and 10.00 a.m. For race information and updates please click on the following link http://bfglm.com/newsausgabe.gb.php?id=1832 or copy and paste into browser.