2015 News
Quadruple Podium Weekend for EFFORT Racing at Circuit of the Americas
- 10 March 2015
EFFORT Racing veteran Ryan Dalziel started the No. 31 Porsche 911 GT3 R in 3rd place in Race 1, wasting no time charging to the front to hold the lead position for a majority of the race. His battle for position mixed with track marbles lead to slight tire degradation, in the final laps while fighting for the lead in the GT class. Ultimately, the No. 31 finished second place, earning valuable points and a third place start for Race 2. The second race at Circuit of the Americas started under torrential downpour, and race officials decided to waive the traditional standing start, allowing the field to roll to the green flag. The fan-favorite had a strong start, taking second place in the opening moments, heading into turn one. Despite the hazardous conditions and other competitors losing control on track, Dalziel kept his lap times competitive to the end and brought home his another, second place finish at the season opening event.
Michael Lewis, driver of the No. 41 EFFORT Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R and also driver for the Porsche Motorsport North American Young Driver Development Program enjoyed a perfect results weekend. Lewis started Race 1 in 15th position overall, and raced clean and consistent to not only earn a top five finish overall, but his first win in the GTA class. His fastest lap in Race 1 earned him a 12th place starting position for Race 2, where again, skillful driving in the challenging conditions brought him a second GTA class win.
The quadruple podium weekend for EFFORT Racing leaves the Texas, based team in a solid points position for the championship battle heading into the next event. Rounds 3 and 4 of the Pirelli World Challenge will take place March 27-29 in Florida for the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in conjunction with the Verizon IndyCar Series.
Quotes:
Ryan Dalziel, #31 EFFORT Racing Porsche 911 GT3 RGreat start to our campaign for sure, and this puts us in an excellent position in the points. Two second places, you can't argue with podium results. It's great to be back with EFFORT Racing and in the Porsche 911 GT3R. I think we definitely made good gains after Race 1, and I think what also helped was it was in the rain. I feel like we are the best in the field. I felt pretty comfortable in second. All credit to Pirelli World Challenge for not throwing any yellows when there were a couple of guys spinning off. It was a great race and hopefully a couple of races that everyone enjoyed, and excellent points for both myself and Michael. I'm looking forward to St. Petersburg where it should go pretty well.
Michael Lewis, #41 EFFORT Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R
A big thanks to the team for setting me up with a pretty solid car in the rain. It was a really hard fight with some of those AM guys and pro guys out there. We eventually got into the lead at the end with a good fight with Perez down the back straight. It was really fun to race with the pro guys who were around P8 and P9. I almost got into P8, it was another good fight with a Ferrari but couldn't make a pass stick. We brought home a ninth overall and again I am so happy to get a double win in the am class and to represent EFFORT Racing and Porsche Motorsports North America.