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Motorsports Venues - Palm Beach Grand Prix Kicks Off At PBIR


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Jupiter, February 18, 2012: The Palm Beach Grand Prix presented by Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) at Palm Beach International Raceway has gotten off to a great start on Friday, February 17, with more than one hundred drivers registered and ready to race this weekend.

The two-mile, eleven-turn Road Course at Palm Beach International Raceway has transformed into an automobile museum that comes to life where historic and vintage race cars have taken to the track to race in their natural habitat.

The Small Bore Enduro Race sanctioned by HSR debuts its series at the Grand Prix with cars racing from the early ‘50’s and ‘60’s. The winner of the enduro was Palm Beach local, Warren Alpin, who raced his ’62 Triupmh TR4 2200 to take first place with his best time at 1:39.499. For Alpin, the Grand Prix has been a family affair whereby he and his daughter are both racing this weekend.

The vintage Porsche community also raced on Friday in the Klub Sport Porsche Challenge that included the 2.0 liter 911 and the 914 up to 2.0 liter and all 356 Porsche. First place went to another local, Cody Ellsworth who raced a ’72 Porsche 911 ST 2500 with his best time at 1:27.816. The last race of the day was the Night Race where several classes raced wheel to wheel. Racing in a ’08 Porsche GT3 Cup 3600, Peter Collins, took first place with his best time at 1:24.349.

These vintage and historic cars have brought a little history to the course, but what is new to the track is the Nordic US Camaro Cup racing for the first time in the United States in Florida at the Palm Beach Grand Prix. The Swedish Camaro Cup is a fifth generation Camaro only racing series of sixteen cars.

Dennis Lind, a Formula Ford world champion, is from Denmark and will be racing car #16 this weekend. Lind commented that he is excited to have the opportunity to race in the U.S., however, he will have to adapt quickly to the open and wide high speed turns of Palm Beach International Raceway. He stated that although the track is foreign to him, the Camaro Cup should be an exciting race for spectators, “… the straights of the track will allow for good passing opportunities that will make for a close race.”

Today was also the first day of the Palm Beach Driving Club Charity Rides to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Palm Beach County. Spectators had the opportunity to purchase rides in the race cars where all the proceeds will be going to the charity.

At the drivers’ meeting, Victoria Wood, on the board of directors at the Boys & Girls Club, presented the LeMans Trophy of Derek Bell that can be won by the team that raises the most money. Wood commented that the Club is excited to be a part of the Grand Prix to help provide educational after school programs to the local 7500 kids in the community.

The Palm Beach Grand Prix is hosting several races throughout the weekend. There will also be the International British Car Show and Super Car Challenge on Saturday and Sunday.

 
 
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