FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Corsa Team PR1 Earns a Hard Fought Eleventh Place Finish at Daytona
DAYTONA BEACH, FL. - Jan. 31, 2010
After 24 hours of GRAND-AM competition at the world renowned Daytona International Speedway, Corsa Team PR1 finished just outside of the top-10 in the team's second attempt at the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona. After several promising practice sessions, a fast qualifying effort, and even leading the main event early on for a number of laps, a series of unfortunate incidents prevented the Fresno, CA based team to fully realize their potential. Lost track time due to crash damage requiring two trips to the garage, combined with a several repairs to the car in the pit box, meant that the #32 Corsa Car Care BMW M6 had to eventually overcome a 45 lap deficit to be up front, a feat that proved to be impossible.
While the drivers and crew members where obviously disappointed that they could not compete for victory, they immediately focused their enthusiasm around the still highly significant task of completing a 24 Hour endurance race against some of the world's most talented racing teams.
Driving in the final stint for Corsa Team PR1, Jeff Westphal of San Carlos, CA made it his personal mission to give the team one last moment to remember by setting the third fastest lap in the GT class in the final minutes of the event.
"I knew that all the guys on the team wanted a top-10, and I did too," Westphal said. "So after we tracked down the #23 Porsche and got the P11 position, I did everything I could to push the tenth place car, hoping I could get them to break out or create and opportunity to get around them. I really wanted it for the guys, but it didn't work out. However, I did get to set a fast lap that got everyone excited, which was great. Personally, I have really been enjoying this whole experience. I love this event, and I can't wait to come back."
Rob Finlay, of Peterborough, NH, echoed his teammate's sentiments.
"Corsa Team PR1 did an amazing job getting the BMW prepared," Finlay said. "After the car took a little bit of a beating, nobody on the team felt sorry for themselves. They all just went about their work and quickly adjusted their goals. We wanted to finish the entire 24 hour race, and we did. We also wanted a top-10, and we sure gave it everything we had. We came up one spot short, but the competition knew we were there, and I for one am proud of that and I know all the guys are as well."
Thomas Merrill, of Salinas, CA, finished eleventh at the 2009 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona as well, and is determined to use experiences from the 2009 and 2010 events as a stepping stone to future successes at the annual event.
"In 2009, my sleeping and eating habits weren't quite right, and this year they were wrong again, but in a different way," Merrill said. " I don't think I'll ever stop learning about this event, but I can say that I am more determined to win here than I've ever been in the past. This team is amazing and it's a shame that the result hides the performance. We had a top-5 car, a top-5 driver lineup, and we certainly have a top level organization with Corsa Team PR1. What we didn't have is luck, and that can't continue forever. So I'm sure I'm not alone on the team when I say that although we showed well, we still have to prove that we can get the results that I know we're capable of."
Max Hyatt had the unique experience of driving the car at its peak, and at its valley throughout the event.
"This race lived up to its expectations, Hyatt said. "It was a mental and emotional roller coaster. After my first stint were I had the lead for a few laps, I had a large break during the period were a lot of the damage and repairs happened, so I missed out on all that stress. But the car was so different after the repairs, and it got a little freighting when the brakes weren't working quite right going into turn one or at the bus stop chicane. But once the team got the car repaired, it was fast again, and it was a lot of fun. I think what my silver lining for this week is that I know we have a solid program, so I'm confident the results we're working towards will happen soon."
Bobby Oergel, owner of Corsa Team PR1, was clearly disappointed with the result, but was proud of his drivers and his crew for their ability to adapt and perform under such arduous circumstances.
"Looking back on the race, it was a case of the would haves, should haves, and could haves," Oergel said. "I knew from the beginning that we could beat ourselves, and that's what we did. But I am proud of the way the crew was able to get the car repaired. These were serious repairs involving highly complex components, but the guys were really on their game and had the car perfect and safe without losing too much time. All the driver's got in the car with positive attitudes, and I think that it speaks volumes that we set our fastest times at the end of the race after all the things we had to adjust and repair. That really shows the quality of our team and our drivers."
Drivers and partners interested in the Corsa Team PR1 Rolex Series BMW M6 program can contact the team directly at pr1motorsports@aol.com or at (559) 277-1300.
Corsa Car Care manufactures professional grade automotive detailing products including cleaners, polishes and protective sealants for exterior finishes, interior leathers & textiles, glass, vinyl and rubber applications. As a division of Miracle Sealants Company, Corsa Car Care draws on over 25 years of knowledge and experience in advanced polymer chemistry. For more details, visit corsacarcare.com.
In paddocks packed with excellent teams and quality drivers, Corsa Team PR1 has established itself as one of the sports top driver development programs. Based in Fresno, CA, Corsa Team PR1 occupies an expansive facility housing a stable of F2000 Zetec and Grand Am Rolex Series race cars. Team drivers enjoy the benefits of a completely professional program including engineering support, state-of-the art data acquisition, and a race winning experienced crew. Corsa Team PR1 drivers, and partners, enjoy first-class trackside hospitality and comprehensive marketing support.
Founded in 1979, Dinan develops, manufactures and markets a comprehensive line of high performance products and systems, distributed through a nationwide network of Authorized Dinan BMW Performance Centers that includes select BMW Dealerships and Independent BMW Service/High Performance facilities.
For more information please contact Eric Wildt at (707) 480-7350 or eric@imagemotorsportsgrp.com
Corsa Team PR1 team information can be found at www.PR1motorsports.com; maxhyattracing.com; jeffwestphalracing.com; thomasmerrillmotorsports.com; or finlaymotorsports.com
