2009 News

Orlando, Florida (May 13, 2009) – Scotland’s Ryan Dalziel will return to the scene of his maiden Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series victory having been called up by Orbit Racing to compete in the ‘Verizon Festival of Speed’ this weekend at California’s Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Friday 15th – Sunday 17th May.

The 27-year-old will partner with Washington D.C.’s Bill Lester behind the wheel of Orbit’s #45 BMW-Riley Daytona Prototype in the fourth round of the 2009 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Presented by Crown Royal Cask No.16.  Dalziel’s call-up marks a welcome return to action for the Orlando resident having started the season in January in the ‘Rolex 24 at Daytona’ with Alegra Motorsports but absent since from the following rounds in Virginia and New Jersey.

This weekend’s Grand-Am meeting at the 2.238-mile Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca heralds the first anniversary of Ryan’s long-awaited breakthrough into victory lane having continually been a podium regular in the Daytona Prototype class since his series debut in 2005.  It all came good for the stand-out Scot in California 12 months ago as he steered his way to his debut victory in a typically gutsy drive.

Racing on that occasion for Peter Baron’s SAMAX Motorsport outfit, Dalziel claimed the lead of the 2-hour 45-minute endurance sprint on lap 76 and duly held on to take the checkered flag 22 laps later to celebrate victory, a first also for the race team.

“I’m absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to return to Laguna Seca this weekend and have a crack at defending last season’s race victory,” enthused Dalziel.  “I’d really like to thank everyone at Orbit Racing for giving me this opportunity as well as Alegra Motorsports for allowing me to compete here before returning to their #22 entry at Watkins Glen next month.  It’s been a bit frustrating for me to sit and catch all the action from the sidelines these last couple of months and I’m itching to get back behind the wheel of a Daytona Prototype.  

“My record in the category speaks for itself and obviously my win at Laguna Seca a year ago currently stands-out as the highlight.  I’m looking forward to racing alongside Bill (Lester) this weekend and working with the Orbit crew – many of who I know already as they were on the SAMAX team in 2008.  I’m not going to make any predictions but I know the car, know the circuit and know my abilities.  I’m down on seat-time this season but I’ll be giving it my all as usual and hoping for a solid performance.”

For further information on the ‘Verizon Festival of Speed’ this weekend and the 2009 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Presented by Crown Royal Cask No.16 please log on to: www.grand-am.com