BOWMANVILLE, ONT July 24, 2011 – Dyson Racing has enjoyed more success at Mosport than any other American Le Mans Series venue. The team ran their Mosport podium record to sixteen with a second and third place finish in today’s Grand Prix of Mosport, the series thirteenth consecutive visit to Canada’s most historic racecourse. Chris Dyson and Guy Smith took second place honors in their #16 G-OIL ModSpace/Construct Corps Mazda Lola, with Humaid Al Masaood and Steven Kane securing their second podium in a row in the #20 Oryx Dyson Racing entry. Smith set fastest race lap and Dyson led the race for twenty-seven laps.
The Muscle Milk Aston Martin took the lead from pole and led the first thirty-three laps with Dyson second and Masaood third. Masaood closed up on Dyson shortly before the only full course yellow of the race on lap twenty-nine. After their yellow flag pit stops, Dyson led until lap sixty-one. Smith took over the #16 car eleven laps later while Masaood handed the #20 car to Kane on lap fifty-seven. Both Smith and Kane pushed to the end, trading team fast laps with Smith taking overall fastest time on lap ninety-five.
“I was always taught to keep on pushing to the very end of a race and to see what you get,” stated Kane. “I think we showed this weekend that the pair of us has a lot of pace and we just have to refine a few things like any racing drivers and we will be there. It is just a matter of getting some track time under our belts and racing experience and there is no reason we cannot go for a win.”
Kane’s teammate Masaood noted that “it was good result for us. I finally got hold of the track and got into a rhythm. More so than most, Mosport is the kind of course you really have to get familiar with before you start attacking. It is an excellent circuit.”
“I was pleasantly surprised to see Humaid in my mirrors,” said Dyson. “And Steven was turning some great times. The Aston had the edge on us on the straights today and that made the difference. But you saw how quick Guy was when he was clear of traffic. Coming into the race we knew we had some heavy lifting in front of us but the team is doing well and we are gelling together so that even when we do not have a great day, we are still second and third.”
Smith added that “I was talking to Chris today about my years of driving for Dyson Racing. I think as a driver, you become more relaxed the longer you have been with a team. I have been at Mosport a number of times now; I know the series and know the car and team well. When you have every confidence in the team, that allows you to focus on driving the car and enjoying it and I am enjoying my driving more than ever.”
The ALMS continues their string of a race every two weeks with Mid-Ohio coming up next on August 6th. Dyson and Smith won at Mid-Ohio last year, giving Mazda, Dunlop tires and biofuel Isobutanol their first overall ALMS win.
