For Immediate Release

April 17, 2010

TRG TAKES POLE IN LONG BEACH DEBUT

Long Beach, CA —

 

In only their second race since returning to the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron, Andy Lally and TRG took a surprise pole position (1:24.098) for this weekend’s Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Driving in the no. 63 Future Electronics/Freescale Semiconductors Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car with co-driver Henri Richard, both the drivers and team will lead the field in their first ever campaign at the famed street race.

This weekend’s race has seen a number of surprises headed in to the main event. Twenty-four hours before, driver Mark Thomas was set to make his ALMSdebut with the team, however the recent eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano left the Canadian stranded in London with no options to get to the circuit in time. Lally, taking on the role as Team Leader and Engineer for Richard and Thomas, quickly filled the role during today’s practice and qualifying sessions.

“I got the call 10 minutes before I left for the airport that I should bring my gear,” stated Lally. “I feel really bad for Mark, but also very fortunate that we were able to adjust so quickly. This is a great group of guys at TRG, and the fact that we were able to take pole under these circumstances is a testament to the quality of the team.”

For driver Henri Richard, who will be starting the race, the pressure will be on for the race.

“We have a lot of sponsors and guests out for this weekend’s event, so starting from the pole is fantastic,” stated the Frenchman. “We’ve had very little practice time so it will be exciting to see how this race unfolds.”

Returning to the circuit that first exposed him to professional racing, TRG Team Owner Kevin Buckler couldn’t be happier with the team’s Long Beach debut.

“In all of our years of racing, Long Beach has always been an event we’ve been unable to be part of,” stated Buckler. “I grew up in Southern California and starting the race from first is about as good of a homecoming as you could ask for.

The Tequila Patrón American Le Mans Series at Long Beach will air on SPEEDtoday, April 17, at 8PM EST.

ABOUT TRG
TRG is a manufacturer and distributor of high-performance racing parts. The group specializes in engine and chassis tuning as well as full service professional race car preparation. The company also provides electrical and mechanical engineering services, driver development and arrive-and-drive opportunities.TRG is based in Petaluma, California, near its home track of Infineon Raceway in Sonoma. The company’s NASCAR operation is based in Mooresville, North Carolina and a new state-of-the-art facility is coming on-line at New Jersey Motorsports Park in 2010.
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.

 

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.

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