Race Report:  Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Following what had proved to be the most challenging outing yet of the 2009 season, Brumos Racing headed west with the goal of coming back strong at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in round four of the Grand-Am Rolex Series.  It soon became apparent that our team was facing an uphill battle as both Brumos cars struggled with set up throughout the weekend.  The solution remained elusive throughout practice sessions despite the best efforts of the crew, resulting in both cars qualifying in uncharacteristically low positions.

Darren Law qualified in 11th place and started the race for #58, taking strategic advantage of early yellows and working his way as high as 3rd place before bringing the car in to hand it off to David Donohue. The driver change dropped the car back in the field as Donohue set to work trying to regain position on a track that makes passing particularly difficult.  He took the checkered flag in 8th position, a result that enabled #58 to end the day in second place in the championship. Team Technical Director Michael Colucci found it doubly disappointing, as Brumos did so well at Laguna Seca last year. “We’re missing something important, so it will be back to the drawing board for us. We did well to salvage an 8th place given the issues we have faced this weekend”, he said.

Donohue had praise for the team’s efforts, saying, “We lost a ring and pinion in the morning warm up so the crew had to change the whole back half of the car and the gear set, but they got the job done.  We had an 11th place car and brought it home in 8th.  We have some homework to do, but our team is tenacious, so I know we’ll get it figured out before Watkins Glen.”

Qualifying in 14th was #59 driver J.C. France, who completed a strong stint as strategy came into play for the driver change to Joao Barbosa.  The second caution occurred just shy of the thirty minute mark for France to earn points, but the yellow flag still was used to advantage to make the change without losing a lap.  Barbosa got in and was steadily advancing when a GT car made contact with #59, resulting in rear suspension damage and a lengthy stop for repairs.

Colucci explained, “The GT car’s impact broke the push rod and rocker.  It was major damage, but the guys did a great job changing it out in the pits and getting the car back out.  In a 2 hour and 45 minute race, the damage was done and we were too many laps down to come back, but you have to hand it to the guys for getting back off the canvas and right back into the fight.” Barbosa posted some of the fastest laps of the race despite the setback, with the 13th place finish not indicative of his efforts.  He said, “We had a decent car and were getting some good lap times, and J.C. brought the car in for me in good condition, so we had a good chance before the GT car hit me.  The effort of the crew kept me in the race so we were still able to earn some needed points.  I do think we are really due for some better luck at Watkins Glen.”

The team will be hard at work in the upcoming days making improvements as they prepare to travel north to Watkins Glen for round five of the Grand-Am season. That race will be held on June 6th and will be a six hour event, the final endurance competition of this season.

Posted on 05/20 at 10:21 AM