Ron@24Hrs of Daytona

Ron at the 24 Hrs of Daytona


Getting ready for the 24 hr race at Daytona this year, we thought we would set up a blog so that our friends and fans can follow along if they can't make it down to Daytona for the show. We are expecting a large y-town crowd to make the treck down. At this point we have over 30 people scheduled to make the trip, and it should be big fun !! We will post a list of activities and meeting as the race gets closer. We will be in the 63 TRG 997 Porsche for the race. Practice is scheduled for Jan 4-6. I'll keep you posted. Happy New Year. Below is a recent press release.


Porsche Lends Support to the TRG Daytona AssaultSeven-Car Lineup and Strong TRG drivers Highlighted by Factory Driver Support
Setting out for next week’s Daytona Test Days, The Racer’s Group has one goal in mind-to continue the winning streak. Having reached the podium five of the last six years, including winning once in class and once overall, TRG is seen as one of the favorites to win the GT class in the 24 hours at Daytona for 2008.
The odds just got a little better. As if entering seven cars filled with a number of previous winners and strong drivers wasn’t enough, TRG has signed four of Porsche’s top factory drivers to the TRG roster. Romain Dumas, Emanuel Collard, Richard Westbrook and Martin Ragginger will join the team to assist in the effort at Daytona.
“TRG has had an incredible streak in the last six years, and we’re ready to include this year as the seventh,” stated an excited TRG team owner Kevin Buckler. “Porsche has been an incredible partner since we started this team, and their continued confidence in us pushes us that much harder to hold up our end of the bargain. ‘Excellence was expected’ is one of Porsche’s mottos, and we plan to deliver.”
Hopes are high for TRG’s number 66 Porsche GT3 Cup 997. The drivers will be Bryce Miller, Ted Ballou, and Andy Lally. Running the 66 for the full season, Bryce Miller will be driving in his first race with the team after an impressive 2007 rookie season in Rolex GT. As an IMSA Cup champion, Bryce is also widely recognized as one of the best Porsche drivers around. California native Ted Ballou will join the group for his second Daytona run. After a winning season in the Koni Challenge series, Ballou wants to capitalize on his growing experience with a strong team. Andy Lally, TRG’s long time multi-series champion, adds an exclamation point to the group.
“I am extremely excited to be driving with TRG at this historic event,” stated the young Miller. “The team is focused on a championship in 2008, and I have to thank Porsche and the entire TRG squad for really stepping up to help make this a realistic possibility. Daytona is the toughest race of the year, so having a terrific car and talented teammates will only help.
Looking to defend last year’s podium, JLowe Racing’s number 64 TRG entry is another standout. The regular pairing of Jim Lowe and Daytona 24 Hour winner Jim Pace will share the 64 car. This will be their fourth year together. Lowe is a Neurosurgeon by weekday and professional race-driver by weekend. He has shown a steady rise in performance over the last two years, highlighted strongly by last year’s podium at Daytona.
“Jim Lowe and all of the guys on the 64 have been an incredible group to work with over the past two years,” stated Kevin Buckler who is excited to be running another year with the group. “The 64 car has quickly become one of Rolex GT’s stronger competitors, and it’s been a real treat to have a group of their caliber under our umbrella. Jim and Jim are tough competitors and have become good friends and that makes it even more satisfying to help them achieve their goals.”
“We’ve got a tremendous line up for this year, and we definitely want to be on the podium again, perhaps even higher!” exclaimed Lowe. “Last year’s result was a major highlight for me, and I’d love to go home with a watch this year.”
Joining Lowe and Pace will be Tim Sugden, RJ Valentine, and Johannes Van Overbeek. Daytona veteran Valentine and teammate Andy Lally won more Rolex GT races than any other driver in 2007, and will be running in at least eight races for 2008. Van Overbeek is the recipient of the 2007 Porsche International Driver’s Cup, after being one of only two drivers who managed to take Porsche to victory in the American Le Mans GT2 category. Porsche selects one independent driver a year for the honor, with an alumni list that includes Bob Wollek, Marc Lieb, and Kevin Buckler after his wins at Daytona and Le Mans in 2002. JLowe Racing’s fifth driver Tim Sugden won this prestigious trophy in 2005, adding to his impressive list of accomplishments.
TRG’s 67 car is yet another entrant with high expectations for this years 24 at Daytona. As a car with four hot young talents, patience and consistency will be the key to their race. Driving in his first Daytona 24 Hour race, season long driver Tim George, Jr. puts it best. “I feel we have one of the top driver line-ups for the race, and I have to thank TRG for helping me get this together. I look forward to making my 2008 debut with TRG among such great co-drivers. I understand that we must all stay clean and consistent. As in everything I do, I will give this race my best effort.”
Running in his second Rolex GT race for TRG, New York native Tim George, Jr. will be joined by an all-star line-up. Tim had an impressive rookie season in last year’s Koni Challenge, and looks to continue his success. Driving alongside Tim for the whole season will be the 2006 Daytona 24 Hour winner Spencer Pumpelly. Spencer will be looking to add another watch to his collection, or perhaps give it to his recently engaged fiancé?! In addition, 2001 US F2000 Champion Bryan Sellers will join the 67 car lineup. Bryan will be running select races in 2008 for TRG with RJ Valentine.
When it comes to legends, look no further than the line-up in TRG’s number 62 entry. Featuring five drivers from different backgrounds, the team is highlighted by one of sportscar racing’s most colorful characters, Jack Baldwin.
“I’ve been friends with Kevin for a very long time, and it’s great to run together this year,” stated the Trans-Am legend Baldwin. “We’ve got some really hungry guys in this car, and I want to see everyone get the best out of this experience.”
Driving alongside Baldwin will be Claudio Burtin, Scott Tucker, and Ed Zabinski. Burtin has a wealth of experience in various sportscar and Trans-Am machines, and is a longtime friend of Baldwin. Kansas native Scott Tucker joins the team for his second run in Daytona. In spite of running his first professional car race in 2006, Tucker has already elevated himself to a proven winner in 2007’s Ferrari Challenge series. In his 23 years of racing, Zabinski has driven open-wheel cars, sportscars and Prototypes. “This is a great car with a terrific group of drivers. Keep an eye on these guys” commented Buckler. The 62 car will be sponsored by Foametix, the leader in spray-on foam insulation.
In the 63 car, youth and experience is the name of the game for this foursome. Starting with 22-year old Duncan Ende, speed and patience will be the key to his race. As one of the up and coming stars in last year’s Koni Challenge series, and one of TRG’s newest professional drivers, Ende will be making his Daytona 24 debut. Joining Ende will be Ron Yarab, Pierre Bourque, and Hima Maher. Bourque brings a wealth of experience in different forms of motorsports, from driving Porsches to NASCAR. Yarab is making his first Daytona start after testing successfully with the team in 2007. Maher is living his dream with the opportunity to race in the 24, and welcomes his new sponsor Wiegele Helicopter.
“Running at Daytona with the history, prestige, and number of drivers that are coming is unbelievable,” stated the young Duncan Ende. “This is undoubtedly the biggest race of my life, and I look forward to making the best of it.”
Also in the “legends” category, completing TRG’s seven-car attack will be the 65 of Russ Oasis, Tom Atherton, Jim Stout, Jason Daskalos and veteran Tommy Archer. For years the group has been recognized as a staple for the Dodge Viper brand, competing and winning in the Trans-Am and the Speed World Challenge series. Having driven at Daytona for years with Dodge, the opportunity to run with TRG and Porsche will provide a new challenge.
“The 65 car is our sleeper car,” stated Buckler. “These guys are all accomplished racers, they’re smart, and they are all good friends. These are critical ingredients for a successful race at Daytona. Tommy Archer is one of the most recognized and respected drivers in sportscar racing. He’s run his own team for years and managed to garner a lot of success. It’s a real honor that they came to us for this year’s race, and I know they bet on the right horse.”
The addition of the four Factory Porsche Drivers will really put a cap on this incredible TRG lineup.
Romain Dumas is coming off a stellar year in 2007. Running full-time for Roger Penske’s American Le Mans Series effort in the Porsche RS Spyder, the Frenchman accumulated eight wins to earn him the LMP2 championship. Emmanuel Collard is considered one of the most versatile drivers in the paddock. Having driven everything from Formula One cars to Daytona Prototypes he will be looking for his 2nd win at Daytona
Also from the Porsche squad will be 2006 Porsche Supercup Champion Richard Westbrook, the latest in Porsche’s arsenal of factory drivers. Completing the line-up will be Porsche’s newest German hot-shoe Martin Ragginger.
The addition of these drivers by Porsche to the TRG squad is a major honor for Buckler. “We have a long history of working hand in hand with Porsche and the Factory Drivers here at Daytona and with quite some success. We understand and respect that this is a major vote of confidence by Porsche in our team’s abilities to once again deliver the goods and we are ready. I am honored to be a part of this tradition and to have Romain, Emmanuel, Richard and Martin as part of my squad. These guys are the best of the best and they are truly welcome addition to this years Daytona effort.
With the next test only days away and the race only a few weeks away, Daytona brings a combination of challenge and promise. Seven cars are a major task, requiring over 100 crewmembers, a caravan of haulers, and endless amounts of food and drinks. Not to mention many flights, hotels and extremely detailed planning for the whole army. However, for TRG this is all part of the tradition.
“It is sort of a logistical nightmare but these guys are used to it by now and everything tends to flow smoothly,” joked Buckler. “We’re able to run so many cars because we employ incredibly talented people to run the program. Our experienced and efficient operation allows us to accomplish things that smaller teams can’t.. As our support from Porsche demonstrates, TRG has always prided itself on putting the best group of guys in place to do what they do best. This is the only way we could continue to pull this off year after year. Our driver line-up is one of the strongest ever for 2008. There’s not a weak shoe in the whole group, and not a single driver who can’t maintain a solid pace. It’s going to be tough, but it would be nice to see the top step of the podium again. We are confident and we are ready.”
TRG is a manufacturer and distributor of high performance automotive parts. TRG is also an engine and chassis building and tuning facility. There is a full service racecar preparation shop and facility to house the professional race teams. The company also provides electrical and mechanical engineering services, driver development and arrive and drive programs. TRG is based in Petaluma California, near its home track of Infineon Raceway.
More information and a complete press kit can be found at www.theracersgroup.com. Please contact press@theracersgroup.com or 707-935-3999 for additional information.
The Racer's Group 1995 S. McDowell Blvd. Petaluma, CA 94954
707-935-3999 www.theracersgroup.com
Unsubscribe from TRG Press Releases