CDOC World Team Drivers Strong At Mid-Ohio

June 22, 2008 — Lexington, OH — 

While Jon Fogarty and Alex Gurney took victory at the EMCO Gears Classic at Mid-Ohio, CDOC's stable of World Team drivers had a collectively excellent race weekend. David Donohue, who claimed pole position for Sunday's race in the #58 Brumos Porsche Riley, teamed with Darren Law to claim 2nd place in the race. Law took the position on the final lap of racing of a very wet race, before a two-car incident caused the race to end under caution. Hugh Plumb and Gene Sigal finished third in the No. 7 RumBum.com BMW Riley.

Law said, “The car was just really good and it was hooked up. We were on rain tires and trying not to slide the back end. But it was hooked up off the corners. I could see everyone sliding around out there, but I was just making good time at the end there.”

Donohue said, “I thought it was a wise thing to put the defogger on before the windshield fogged up, but it was a mistake because it blew water all over the inside of the windshield. I’m too short to reach up and wipe it clean. Under the yellows, I tried to get up there but I couldn’t reach. The biggest problem was visibility at the end of the straightaways, I just had to guess. It was just dump luck that I did. It seems when one of us struggles, the other one picks up the ball. Today, the team was flawless, I struggled but Darren picked up the ball and ran with it at the end. The Porsche power really helped us get up here today, the engine ran great.”

Brian Frisselle and Mark Wilkins were fourth in the No. 61 AIM Autosport Exchange Traded Gold Ford Riley, matching their best result of the season, and as co-drivers.

Racing in heavy rains that eventually gave way to more reasonable conditions, but never stayed constant, Brian Frisselle was up to the task and looked to be on track for a stout Rolex Series debut podium in the AIM Autosport Ford-Riley, making bold passes on guys that often have the word “champion” used when describing them.

Unfortunately, the Pirelli rain tires ran out of grip and forced him to concede the third position late in the race. The fourth place result was still a high point for the AIM team, setting a new best finish for the outfit so far in the 2008 season.

“There was nothing I could do at the end there and I wasn’t going to chop the guy and risk ruining both our races,” said Brian. “So even though we know we have the pace and preparation to make it to the podium, it just didn’t happen for us today. But this was still a great weekend for us, Mark (Wilkins) starting from third and me coming home in fourth and being really competitive no matter what the track was like, so that was really encouraging. The AIM guys did a great job with this car and maybe we can get up on the podium at Daytona.”

The No. 47 CDOC Ford-Dallara prepared by Doran Racing was the focus of much interest, as Ricky Taylor, the son of Rolex Series Champion Wayne Taylor, made his first race start as co-driver with Burt Frisselle at Mid-Ohio. The youngster showed why so many have tipped him as a star of the future, keeping his head as he raced on a track he’d never seen before the weekend and dealing with the heavy rains like a seasoned pro before turning the car over to Burt to take to the finish.

Burt put all his Rolex experience to good use as he battled to keep the CDOC machine on track and in the thick of it before he also suffered when his tires lost grip late in the run. The challenge was compounded further when a team radio failure meant that the Doran Racing team strategy couldn’t be deployed.

“That was probably the hardest race I have ever done,” said Burt. “The track was different every lap, and you had to absolutely tip-toe around everywhere you were. Negri and I had a great battle and Ricky did a hell of a job. I can’t wait for Daytona.”

CDOC CEO Colin Dougherty said, "This weekend's race at Mid-Ohio was fantastic - first as a fan of sportscar racing and second as a supporter of the series and the drivers. With Darren's excellent finish and the speed and maturity showed by our growing stable of young World Team Drivers, I'm convinced we've got the best on board representing our brand!"

The Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series races next at Daytona International Raceway, with a one-day event taking place July 3. Television coverage will be on SPEED.

CATEGORY: World Team News, Community News

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