Salt Lake City, Utah
Saturday, May 16, 2009
The International Motor Sports Association held its two day series races at Miller Motorsports in Salt Lake City, Utah for the Speed Wong Racing Porsche GT3 Cup car.
It was a successful return for the 2009 season for driver Brian Wong. Brian won the race on Saturday and placed a disappointing second on Sunday’s race.
The weekend races marked the 3rd and 4th races (Saturday and Sunday) in the 2009 Patron GT3 Challenge by Yokohama. The first two races of the season were held at the legendary Sebring, Florida track. As in last season, Speed Wong Racing could not make the first races, because its driver had other commitments that took priority over the race program.
For 2009 driver Brian Wong began only his second season in the IMSA series and his first race since last October. This race weekend was only Brian’s 6th start in his career and brought him back to the new and well regarded Miller Motorsports track.
The week before the Patron GT3 Challenge IMSA race, Brian got into his Porsche GT3 for the first time since last October and ran a race under the Pirelli Driver’s Cup series. The purpose was to reacquaint Brian with the car and the track. All went well, Brian placed 2nd and learned enough to win the next race he entered.
The weekend held two races for the Speed Wong Racing/ AASCO Motorsports entry. Brian Wong placed his #89 Porsche GT3 Cup car on the pole and kept the lead throughout the entire race. His nemesis from his rookie season, Miller Motorsports track home track champion Melanie Snow, dogged him throughout the 30 minute race. Brian ran a flawless race and kept his lead despite the home track favoritism by the Utah crowd and the annoying track announcer. It was a rewarding victory for Brian, the Speed Wong Racing team and for Dennis Aase’s AASCO Motorsports team. For the second season, AASCO Motorsports has taken the responsibility of preparing and tuning the #89 car for the IMSA series in conjunction with Speed Wong Racing.
The podium victory for the Gold class champagne celebration saw Brian and Melanie spray each other with bottles of Dom Peringnon and congratulate each other for the hard fought racing.
Dennis Aase’s team was equally thrilled to have 3 of its team drivers on the podium, out of the 6 possible finishes. AASCO welcomes Amadeo Quieros, who flies in with his supporters, from Costa Rico for the races throughout the country. Amadeo finished a fast 3rd in his Platinum class. In Brian’s Gold class, AASCO racer Patrick Flanagan placed 3rd. A great Saturday race, cemented by a fun team dinner late that night.
For race quotes, see the ALMS website (http://www.imsaracing.net/2009/news/gt3/2009-05-17%20Miller%20Review.pdf )
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Early Sunday, prior the ALMS American LeMans race, the teams lined up at the staging area for the 4th race of the 2009 Patron GT3 Challenge by Yokohama.
The starting order for this race was based on the fastest lap raced at the prior race, on Saturday. A fast driver, who may not have finished in 1st place, would start on the pole if he ran one fastest lap of all competitors. Once again, Brian had the pole for the second race.
Melanie Snow in the Snow Motorsports #56 started right behind Brian and took the lead very early in the race when the car in front of Brian suddenly braked and allowed Melanie to quickly and sharply jump ahead. Despite Brian’s efforts, he finished a close 2nd place to Melanie’s win. It was another great race between the two competitors, clearly ahead of the field in the Gold class.
On the podium, Brian graciously accepted his racing incident that caused the lead to be lost, and congratulated Melanie on her victory.
For AASCO, Amadeo Quiros again placed a hard fought, well deserved 3rd place finish. Patrick Flanagan won the Yokohama Hard Charger award for his moving up 6th places in this race. With Brian and Amadeo’s podium finishes, AASCO placed its drivers on 5 of the 12 top spots.
Speed Wong Racing congratulates and thanks AASCO team members, Raji, Austin, Julian and Lance who all worked tirelessly supporting engineer Harry Haggard and team owner Dennis Aase. For Speed Wong Racing, team members, fabricator Jerel Reeves and mechanic Kevin Myrick made the trip to successfully support Brian. Bob Bennett who is the transport driver for Brian’s hauler brought the Country Coach motorhome bus for the team to relax in on a very hot, but successful weekend.
Final score: Brian won the 1st and 2nd place finishes, the BBS Fast lap awards for both races. 4 trophies in one weekend!
Next 2009 Patron GT3 Challenge by Yokohama race- Chicago!
