LEXINGTON, OH, JUNE 4 — This weekend the Thetford / Norcold Dyson Racing team heads to famed Mid-Ohio for the Rolex Series Conagra Foods` U.S. Road Racing Classic. Spearheading the team`s two-car effort will be points leaders James Weaver and Butch Leitzinger, who together have piloted their #16 Riley and Scott Ford to two victories this season. Flanking them in the sister #20 Dyson machine will be 1998 race winners Elliott Forbes-Robinson and Dorsey Schroeder.
Last Year: Weaver and Leitzinger won the series most recent rounds at Lime Rock on Memorial Day and the win vaulted Weaver to a nine point lead over his teammate and a 30 point lead over Belgian Didier Theys Weaver is no stranger to victory circle at Mid-Ohio, having won here in 1999. Last year, he and Leitzinger started from pole and looked to have the win in the bag, only to suffer a mechanical woe in the race`s waning moments. EFR was left to pick up the challenge in the #20 Thetford / Norcold machine, but found himself caught out by a slower car with two laps to go, giving a well- earned win to Robinson Racing.
Schroeder`s Return: Dorsey Schroeder, who rejoins the Dyson team for the first time since 1999, has a wealth of experience at Mid-Ohio and an intimate knowledge of the team`s Riley and Scott Ford. Schroeder was a full-time Dyson driver in 1998 and finished fourth in the U.S.R.R.C. drivers standings. His Mid-Ohio win with E.F.R. was one of the most popular victories in 1998. Team owner Rob Dyson welcomes Schroeder back into the fold: “I am very happy that we were able to have Dorsey join us. He is a great guy and he is quick enough to keep the others honest. He and Elliott were a terrific team a few years back and it is going to be fun to see them back together this weekend. I think it should be a very interesting race up front.”
Weaver`s Thoughts on the Opposition: The 2000 Rolex Grand-Am Champion feels confident in the Dyson team`s chances: “The (Intersport) Lola team has found a lot of traction out of the low speed corners, and they will be tough this weekend. But I think that we can take a good fight to them and all the rest in race trim.”
The race weekend`s activities begin with a promoter`s test day Thursday and official practice sessions slated for Friday afternoon. A fifteen minute Qualifying session will be held at 1:15 on Saturday, and Sunday`s race begins at 2:15 PM. Be sure to follow the weekend`s action at www.grand-am.com
