After a difficult first half of the season in the new LMPC class of the American Le Mans Series and another early finish at the Utah Grand Prix, Wong and co-driver Marcelli look for change in fortune at Lime Rock Park in the Northeast Grand Prix. The start of the fifth round of the 2010 season began on a rain filled Friday for first and final practice sessions of the weekend. Both Wong and Marcelli had no prior experience running in the rain, but kept the car out of trouble and on the track for both hour-long sessions. Luck seemed to finally turn around at Lime Rock with the #89 LMPC car posting a 4th in class position in the first practice session and an impressive jump to 2nd in class for the final session. Both drivers felt the #89 LMPC car was fast and both looked forward to a good qualifying fun with Marcelli behind the wheel.

As the day wore on, the weather worsened. At the time of qualifying session, a storm cell drenched the track, but that didn’t stop Marcelli from posting a 2nd quickest position in the LMPC class. Sitting at the top of the charts in the best qualifying position of the season, Wong and Marcelli anticipated for the start of the Northeast Grand Prix on Saturday.

Race day began under clear skies and dry ground. The twenty-minute warm up session was the first and only opportunity for the drivers to experience the track under dry conditions before the race. Wong in the drivers seat was only minutes into the session then had to come in due to electrical issues. Though the electrical issues were repairable on the #89 LMPC car, the pole sitter of the LMPC class, #55, had a spin sending him crashing through the flooded fields of the track. Unable to repair the #55 LMPC, the pole position was given to Wong and Marcelli in the #89 LMPC car. Though the good luck continued, the race results are what matter to the drivers and crew.

Wong led the LMPC class to the green flag, having the advantage of starting in the 7th position overall. The start to the two-hour and forty-five minute race of the Northeast Grand Prix, Wong looked to maintain the top position and fast lap times during his stint in the car. Less than five minutes into the race, American Le Mans Series competitor and NASCAR teammate, Patrick Long in the #45 Porsche, bumped Wong in the second turn, spinning him through the flooded grass. Though no immediate damage was reported, Wong took the course in the 5th position in class. A driver change was ordered just thirty minutes into the race where Marcelli climbed in the drivers seat. Through the course of the next hour of the race, Marcelli took the #89 LMPC car from 5th to 3rd in class. Laying down fast lap times nearing the final hour of the race, Wong and Marcelli looked to have a first podium finish. The good luck and fortune quickly ended with just forty-five minutes left in the race. The drive shaft on the #89 LMPC car broke, bringing Marcelli to the pits for the final time of the weekend. It is hard to say what caused the drive shaft to break, but the spin from the #45 Porsche and the wear and tear from the course had an impact on the #89 LMPC car.

Again, bad luck is not far. Another 5th in class finish for the #89 LMPC car of Speed Wong Racing and Intersport Racing.

The next race for Wong is in the American Le Mans Series in the #89 LMPC car at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge. Both Wong and Marcelli are looking ahead to finish a race and scoring a podium finish. If bad luck doesn’t get in the way, Mid-Ohio is the next opportunity. The Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge will air on CBS Sports on August 15 at 12:30pm EST.

The first part of the American Le Mans Series season in the new Le Mans Prototype Challenge class has been a trying time for Wong and Intersport Racing. The absence of co-driver, Mitch Pagerey, brought replacement driver, Kyle Marcelli, to drive. Both Wong and Marcelli looked to turn bad luck around and capture a long anticipated podium finish in Utah.

The start of the weekend began with first practice where the #89 LMPC car took 5th place in class and 11th overall with Marcelli behind the wheel. Adjustments to the car before the final practice of the weekend was apparent as Wong drove to finished 3rd in class and 9th overall in the hour-long final practice. Following the practice session, Wong jumped out and Marcelli was in the driver’s seat for the quick, 20-minute qualifying session. The improvement in final practice showed in qualifying where Marcelli captured the 4th position in class and 10th overall. But a mishap occurred during the final minutes of qualifying, which resulted in flat spotting three out of the four tires. Needing to be changed, the rule infraction in the American Le Mans Series is a mandatory movement to the back of the field for the start of the race. With the disappointing starting position, Wong had the first stint of the 2-hour and 45-minute race.

Starting the Larry H. Miller Utah Grand Prix in the 5th position in class and 33rd overall, Wong took the green flag quickly passing the slower GT Challenge cars. With four fresh tires, he continued to quickly gain positions on the LMPC leader in a few laps. During Wong’s 45-minute stint behind the #89 LMPC car, he captured 2nd place in class and held the 7th position overall. Making up lost positions, both Wong and the Intersport crew looked forward to luck finally turning around and a podium finish. Just as things turned for the better, luck fell through and mechanical problems began to arise on the #89 LMPC car. Issues with the engine stalling, Wong managed to bring the car to pit road for inspection and a driver change. Marcelli jumped behind the wheel while the Intersport crew got the car running again and was off to catch up the lost laps under green. Marcelli took the first turn on the 3-mile course when the #89 LMPC car quit again. Unable to re-fire the engine, a caution was flown to get the car off the track and into the pits. Just 50-minutes into the 2-hour and 45-minute race, Wong and Marcelli’s day ended early, confirming the continuous bad luck. The #89 LMPC car came home without another finish and a 5th position in class 32nd overall.

With only one finish of the season at the Long Beach Grand Prix, Wong is looking for luck on his side as he prepares for the next American Le Mans Series race at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut on July 24th.

The third round of the American Le Mans Series presented by Patron Tequila brought Brian to the world-renowned racecourse for the second endurance race of the season. With a great finish at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, Brian along with co drivers Mitch Pagerey and David Ducote, looked forward to another good finish in the LMPC class. Having plenty success at Laguna Seca in Porsches throughout his sports car racing career, Brian’s knowledge of the tedious track gained the #89 Quiksilver LPMC fast lap times in the first and second practice of the weekend. After successful practices, Mitch was set to qualify the car. With just a few minutes remaining in the qualifying session, the #89 Quiksilver LMPC got tangled up with #55 Level Five Motorsports LMPC causing significant damage to both cars and resulting in a 6th place qualifying position to start the race. With just hours before the race, the Intersport Racing crew worked hard to get the car ready for the start of the six-hour race.

Brian started the #89 Quiksilver LMPC in the 35th position and last in class as the green flag waved, starting the countdown of six-hours. During Brian’s two-hour stint, he quickly brought the #89 Quiksilver LMPC from last place to 5th overall and went up to 2nd in class. Keeping consistent lap times and holding on to the 3rd position, Brian came in for a driver change at the end of the first two-hours of the race, giving the drivers seat to David Ducote. David held the 3rd place position in the LMPC class despite steering problems with the car. At the end of his two-hour stint, he passed along the drivers seat to the final driver of the race, Mitch Pagerey. The steering problems became worse, resulting in a green flag pit stop to fix the problem which lead to the loss of valuable time and laps. Mitch fought to gain time against the 3rd place car as the six-race counted down. The #89 Quiksilver LMPC took the checker flag at Mazda Speedway Laguna Seca, occupying the 4th position in class and 14th overall.  All three drivers kept the car clean and out of trouble with minimal mechanical problems that allowed them to have another solid finish.

The momentum of solid finishes continues as the next race of the series brings Brian and the #89 Quiksilver LMPC to Miller Motorsports Park in Toole, Utah for the Utah Grand Prix on July 11th. The American Le Mans Series Monterey will air on CBS Sports on Saturday, May 29, 2010.

Special thank you to Brian’s brother, Kevin, for joining the family in Monterey to support Brian and his racing career. Happy Birthday wishes to Speed Wong Racing family members Mom and Evan!

Brian’s long waited anticipation to run in the Long Beach Grand Prix results in a 4th place finish. 

The second round of the American Le Mans Series brought many competitors and spectators to the streets of downtown Long Beach. After surviving the difficult season opener at Sebring, Brian and co-driver Mitch Pagerey looked forward to making up lost ground in the Le Mans Prototype Challenge class at Long Beach.

The race circuit is just short of two miles, made up of a temporary road course carved out of the city streets surrounding the Long Beach Convention Center and the Aquarium of the Pacific. The last turn, famously known as the hairpin, is a hard right turn that brings the cars onto the long straightaway known as Shoreline Drive.

The first practice of ALMS took to the seaside streets early Friday morning for a two -hour practice. Brian and Mitch, having never raced the streets of Long Beach, took every minute of the practice to get acquainted with the unique track. The #89 Quiksilver LMPC car ended the first practice 6th fastest in class. With many hours separating the next practice, the Intersport crew made adjustments to the car for the short, thirty-minute second practice, followed by the twenty-minute qualifying. With little time on the track before the race, Brian qualified the #89 Quiksilver LMPC car 6th in class out of seven cars for the one hundred minute race on Saturday.

Brian, piloting the first fifty minutes of the race, maintained the 6th position and focused on putting down fast lap times. A spin from the LMPC car in front of him, allowed Brian to pass and capture the 5th position. The caution waved for a crash on the course happened to be at the halfway point of, indicating the mandatory driver changes. Brian pulled the #89 Quiksilver LMPC car down pit road for Mitch to pilot the remainder of the race. Coming to the restart, the 4th place LMPC car spun entering turn one, allowing Mitch to gain another position. The remaining minutes on the track, Mitch maintained the 4th place position and posted consistent lap times to take the checker flag, finishing the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

After struggling at the 12 Hours of Sebring, a 4th place finish on the streets of Long Beach was a much needed finish for Brian, Mitch, and Intersport Racing. Both drivers are looking forward to the next race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca at the end of May. Brian and Mitch have both had repeated success on the infamous road course nestled in the hills above Monterey, California.

Many thanks to the friends and family who came out to the track to support Brian’s debut at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Special thanks to Steve and Mary Tully, Tami and Jack Beringer for your continued support in Brian’s career.

 

The American Le Mans Series opener in Sebring, Florida is Brian’s first race in the Le Mans Prototype Challenge (LMPC) car.  

For the 2010 season, Brian will be co-driving the #89 Quiksilver LMPC car with fellow IMSA Patron GT3 competitor, Mitch Pagerey. U nder Intersport Racing, a premier independent race team in the American Le Mans Series, Brian was excited to start the season at the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring.

The rugged course with the 17-turn, 3.7-mile concrete track , has become the ultimate test of man versus machine in motorsports. To take on the battle of the grueling twelve-hour race, Brian and Mitch had the help of a third driver, David Ducote. All three drivers took a week of testing and practicing to qualify the #89 Quiksilver LMPC car in the 4th position to start the 12 Hours of Sebring.

The thirty-car field, making up of four different classes: LMP, LMPC, GT2 and GTC, came to the green flag starting the clock for the 12 Hours of Sebring. The twelve-hour endurance race was broken into four-hours stints between the three drivers. Mitch and David piloted the first early hours of the race, when the 17-turn course began to take a toll on the #89 Quiksilver LMPC and other competitors causing mechanical issues. Brian made his ALMS debut at Sebring in hours three and four, continuing to occupy the 4th place position in the #89 Quiksilver LPMC. In the first part of his four-hour stint, Brian kept the car out of trouble on the track and made up lost time from the early mechanical issues. As the hours wore on, so did the wear and tear on the #89 Quiksilver LMPC car. After Brian’s stint, the car was back in the garage for additional repairs, losing more time and costing them their current 4th position.

Brian’s final stint occupied the seventh and eighth hours of the race. With many laps down from the leader, Brian continued to post steady lap intervals, making up time and regaining laps back. Dusk crept over Sebring International Raceway as Brian’s stint came down to the final minutes, bringing the remaining hours of the race into the dark Florida night. With no ease in sight, mechanical problems continued with the #89 Quiksilver LMPC car as the final remaining hours of the race drew to an end. In the final minutes of the race, Mitch spun going into turn one. A fuse shortage in the #89 Quiksilver LMPC car left the car without headlights. Significant damage was done from the spin, sending the car to the garage for a final time, ending the twelve-hour race early for the #89 Quiksilver LMPC car, drivers and crew.

After a long week of racing the tough concrete course of Sebring International Raceway, Brian and Mitch are looking forward to the second round of the ALMS season; racing through the streets of Long Beach in the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Brian Wong Joins Intersport Racing - Will Co-Pilot Le Mans Prototype Challenge Car In 2010

Following an outstanding 2009 season in the Patron GT3 Challenge by Yokohama, Brian Wong has been selected to join Mitch Pagerey driving Intersport Racing's American Le Mans Prototype Challenge (LMPC) car for 2010. Intersport Racing is the American Le Mans Series' longest running privateer team with starts in 100 Series events. Following the Series' announcement at Road America designating changes to the class structure, Intersport Racing was the first team to purchase the new American Le Mans Prototype Challenge (LMPC) chassis.

Wong has assembled an impressive winning resume in very short order. With experience in everything from Legends Cars, Late Models and the NASCAR Camping World East/West Series - both on oval and road courses, the 20 year-old Wong finished second in the IMSA Patron GT3 Challenge championship even after missing two events due to school commitments. In 12 starts, Wong led the Series in wins taking the checkered flag 9 times. In addition, he dominated qualifying posting 9 pole-starting positions. With the exception of one mechanical failure that resulted in a DNF, in the two races Wong did not win, he finished 2nd.

The Newport Beach, California native splits time between California and attending Northeastern University in Boston as a 3rd year Communication major. Wong is looking forward to the challenges of driving a prototype with completely different characteristics than the Porsche GT3 Cup car. "This is an amazing opportunity," said Wong. "I see the Challenge class as a perfect format for me to grow my racing career and move up in the American Le Mans Series. It's great to see the Series taking steps that will allow a driver like me to grow his skills. I'll be racing in a World Class series with arguably the best drivers in the World and on the greatest tracks in North America. It's the perfect scenario for a guy like me. I know I can do well here."

"I can't say enough about the Intersport team," Brian continued. "It feels like it will be the perfect fit for me. They have the experience, the history and I know they can get Mitch and me to the front. Plus I really like the sense of family. It's nice to know that the race program is managed under one roof and the lines of communication are short, open and to the point. These guys know how to get it done."

"We really feel Brian makes the perfect co-driver with Mitch Pagery," added Clint Field. "We met Brian at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca at the end of the season and had a chance to see him behind the wheel. He's extremely quick. More importantly, we were impressed with his maturity and his understanding of what goes into running a team and his ability to identify his role. He's very focused."

"We also liked that he and Mitch both come with a background in the Patron Challenge class," Clint continued. "We think this will be helpful in setting up the car to suit both drivers. It should simplify and streamline communication between drivers and the crew."

Intersport continues to build during the off-season and expects announcements regarding their flagship LMP1 program in the near future.

"Our commitment to IMSA and the American Le Mans Series is unwavering and stronger than ever," said Clint. We are working hard to expand our effort and grow the Intersport team. IMSA and the ALMS continue to work in order to grow sports car racing in North America. That provides us the incentive and the confidence to continue to invest our racing dollars with the American Le Mans Series."

Earlier this year, in a progressive step designed to keep ahead of the rest of the industry, the ALMS announced the overhaul of its four-class structure beginning with the 2010 season. The four classes will be Le Mans Prototype (LMP), Le Mans Prototype Challenge (LMPC), Grand Touring (GT) and Grand Touring Challenge (GTC).

American Le Mans Series President and CEO Scott Atherton proclaimed: “Our sport has always been about evolution, and our plans for 2010 and beyond reflect it. I think the American Le Mans Series is ideally positioned to benefit from the current and future focus of all auto manufacturers. Recent announcements by major auto manufacturers and our government leaders confirm that racing series which provides opportunities to showcase and develop relevant new technologies - with an emphasis on the environment - are the future. We have never been more confident in our positioning and look forward to expanding our green racing initiatives to better serve the teams and manufacturers competing with us."

The new class structure is designed to retain the core attributes of what has made the ALMS the most successful professional sports car racing series in the world - world class Le Mans prototypes and GT cars - while also adding new high-value opportunities that expand the accessibility of this platform to new participants

"The new Challenge classes shows us the Series is listening," continued Field. "We see the LMPC car has the perfect addition to our LMP1 program and an extension of our IMSA Lites program. Our program can now provide a true path of growth for drivers who want to succeed in sports car and endurance racing. With the addition of the LMPC car we now provide fully supported programs in three steps… IMSA Lites, LMP Challenge, and our flagship prototype, LMP1."

LMP Challenge, an exciting new class, was introduced earlier this year in Europe through the collaborative efforts between the ACO and ORECA/DPPI. The ORECA-Courage FLM09 that comprises the class has a minimum weight of 900 kilograms similar to its LMP brethren, but its 450 hp is considerably less than the LMP cars, which range from 500-700 hp. The LMP Challenge car is a true Le Mans prototype, but represents an affordable “value engineered” entry to Le Mans prototype racing. The FLM 09 is a very sophisticated race car with a full carbon fiber chassis, carbon brakes, and an Xtrac sequential gearbox with paddle shifting. All LMPC cars will race on single-supply Michelin tires.

The ALMS class change is supported by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), the organization that operates the 24 Hours of Le Mans and establishes the rules and regulations for Le Mans style racing worldwide.

LMP1 and LMP2 cars will compete as a single LMP class in 2010 with exception of the endurance classics - the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans Powered by MAZDA6 - that will continue to adhere to the ACO technical rules for LMP1 and LMP2. Among the LMP race cars eligible worldwide will be the Acura ARX-02a, Acura ARX-01b, Ginetta-Zytek 09HS (hybrid), Lola B09/86 Mazda, Lola B06/10, Radical SR9, Porsche RS Spyder, Audi R15 TDI, Peugeot 908, Aston Martin Lola and Pescarolo.

One of the founding teams of the American Le Mans Series, Intersport Racing has established itself as a premier independent team in sports car racing. The Dublin, Ohio-based team has taken on mightiest of factory prototype teams in recent seasons and posted noteworthy class victories in that span including an LMP1 triumph at Detroit in 2008 and 2006 at Sebring.
Team owner Clint Field won 2005 P2 class championship, three years after father Jon accomplished the same feat. Clint also reigns as the youngest prototype champion in Series and IMSA history.
In 2008, became first prototype team in Series history to campaign on cellulosic E85, a pioneering effort in the Series’ Green Racing initiative and the first privateer team to start in 100 American Le Mans races.

The American Le Mans Series will open its 12th season with America’s greatest sports car race, the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida from March 17-20. The green flag will fall at 10:35 a.m. on Saturday, March 20 with live coverage on SPEED.

The annual American Le Mans Series Winter Test is scheduled for February 22-23, also at Sebring International Raceway

When Brian Wong opened his 2009 summer ‘vacation’ schedule and calendar, he noted that he would miss the opening two races at Sebring and the next to last races at Road Atlanta. Being a dependent 20 year old college student, he knew classes at Northeastern University took precedence over having fun racing.

What Brian and Aasco Motorsports didn’t anticipate was making the trip to Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia. But thanks to a last minute concession by his professors at Northeastern University, Brian got a round trip plane ticket and he met the Aasco team in Atlanta. Wong was anxious to participate in rounds eleven and twelve of the Patron GT3 Challenge by Yokohama Series.

Brian, having never been to Road Atlanta, took every opportunity on the Promoter Test Day and also on Wednesday’s practice to learn the technical features of Road Atlanta. Coming in second fastest during practices, the #89 Quiksilver/ Northeastern University Porsche GT3 Cup car fell just short of the fast lap other competitors were laying down. Still managing to push the #89 Porsche to its potential, while he was learning the track, Brian qualified second in the Gold Cup class and seventh overall for round eleven. Even though second was a great starting spot, a mechanical problem affecting the car’s performance kept slowing down the #89 car. The Aasco Motorsports crew took Brian’s #89 Quiksilver/ Northeastern University car apart looking for any damaged parts. Aasco crewmembers Raji Olvera and Lance Down found a bad shock and quickly replaced it in preparation for the round eleven race that was fast approaching. The green flag dropped Brian found himself in the middle of the higher horsepower Platinum class cars, along with Gold class points leader and accomplished driver #56 Melanie Snow. Throughout round eleven, the #89 and #56 battled the Platinum cars and Brian was able to catch the #56 of Melanie Snow who has raced Road Atlanta multiple times. With several minutes remaining in the thirty-minute round eleven race, Brian made a tremendous pass for the lead in the Gold Cup on turn ten. From there, Brian and the #89 Porsche GT3 never looked back and took the checker flag, gaining another 1st place podium finish.

After battling through mechanical problems before in round eleven, Brian and the #89 Porsche Cup car were prepared to the next race, round twelve. Brian, fastest car in the prior race afforded him a starting place on the pole in the Gold Cup class and in the sixth starting position overall. The green flag flew and Brian continued to keep hitting his marks and maintain a solid position among the Platinum Cup cars. But towards the end of the race, the rear bumper covering came loose and began flapping and slowing down the car. Brian in the Porsche Factory Cup car held on despite pressure from cars trying to take advantage of the wind resistance, and took the 1st place position for the seventh consecutive time, never finishing off the podium all season. The last minute trip to Road Atlanta brought Brian a close fourteen points behind Gold Cup points leader Melanie Snow going into the last two races of the season at the world renowned Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California.

Follow Brian Wong to Laguna, as he misses classes again, to race one of his favorite tracks.

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Finishing the season in the Patron GT3 Challenge by Yokohama with the most series wins and second place in points, Brian wanted to run the season finale in the Pirelli Drivers Cup USA series. Brian enlisted Aasco Motorsports to field his car for the last two races of the Pirelli Cup. The race was held at one of Brian’s favorite tracks, Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California.

Arriving on Friday to a wet race track, Brian and the #89 Quiksilver/ Northeastern University Porsche took the last practice to lay down a few fast laps. A cold Saturday brought practice, qualifying and race #9 of the season. Running in Group B, the 997 GT3 Cup for years 2006-2007, Brian came out first quickest in class and third quickest overall, placing him to start in those positions for race #9.

The first forty-minute race of the weekend came at the end of the day. Brian had a great start passing the second place car and charging to the front for leader and fellow Patron GT3 competitor, Galen Bieker in a Group A car. Both Galen and Brian raced each other hard. Brian took over the lead fifteen minutes into the race, but Galen’s higher horsepower Porsche GT3 was able to make a successful pass taking back the lead. Brian finished second overall and first in Group B for race #9.

On Sunday, track conditions were perfect for race #10. Brian went out for qualifying, securing another first place starting position in Group B and qualifying fourth overall. Just missing the win for overall in race #9, Brian and the Aasco crew were ready for another great race. The green flag dropped and Brian passed the two Group A cars in front of him, closing the gap again on pole sitter Galen Bieker. Galen maintain a steady lead for most of the race with the #89 Quiksilver/ Northeastern Porsche closely behind. A caution flew with a few minutes left in the forty-minute race, allowing Brian to restart on the bumper of Galen’s car. Keeping pressure on him, Brian made another winning pass to take the overall lead with only minutes remaining. The checker flag flew and Brian took first place overall and first place in Group B.

It was another great opportunity for Brian, Speed Wong Racing, and Aasco Motorsports to go racing one last time this year. The triumphant finishes in the Pirelli Drivers Cup USA made a great ending to a season full of racing.

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Brian and Speed Wong Racing had a successful 2009 season in the Patron GT3 Challenge by Yokohama finishing second in points with multiple wins. Title sponsor, Yokohama, has chosen the #89 Quiksilver/ Northeastern University Porsche GT3 to display at the 2009 LA Auto Show. Many thanks to Yokohama Tires for the professionalism and countless hours they put into the 2009 season.

Breakdown! The final two races of the 2009 Patron GT3 Challenge by Yokohama season saw Brian win his 9th race on Saturday and his car break down while leading the final race on Sunday.

Brian Wong and the Aasco Motorsports team came into rounds thirteen and fourteen having had six consecutive wins and all podium finishes at every event this season.
The last two races of the season for the Patron GT3 Challenge by Yokohama brought the #89 Quiksilver/Northeastern University Porsche to the world renowned Laguna Seca Raceway in beautiful Monterey, California. Having had a great season thus far, Brian came into Laguna Seca a very close fourteen points behind Gold Cup leader Melanie Snow. Laguna Seca has many technical turns including the infamous “Cork Screw” making it a difficult course to race, which is why it is one of Brian’s favorite tracks.

The #89 Quiksilver/Northeastern University GT3 Cup car came into both practices fast, putting him in pole for the Gold Cup class. This weekend's races did not have a qualifying session. Without a qualifying time trials, the fastest practice time was used as the qualifying time. Brian earned his eighth pole award of the season for the start of round thirteen. The drop of the green flag flew through the crisp, fog filled morning air at Laguna Seca for the start of round thirteen. The #89 Quiksilver/ Northeastern University Porsche was leading the Gold Cup class and running in the fourth place overall, swiftly moving through the 2.238- mile course for the thirty- minute race. Brian took the checker flag, clinching is eighth consecutive win and placing him on the podium for the tenth time this season.

Brian had a lot of support from family, friends who included Speed Wong Racing’s NASCAR Camping World East and West Series team. For this season finale race weekend, Speed Wong Racing produced special art designed posters, Hero Cards and limited production t-shirts by artist Audrey Jung. The design was spectacular and overwhelmingly well received by all, fans, competitors, officials and team members. Great job, Audrey.

Mr. Tully from Quiksilver and his young son, Harry, came to support Brian and witness the hoopla and hype over the Quiksilver Porsche’s driver. Thank you very much to Quiksilver and Mr. Tully for the support afforded Brian throughout his career.

The team also promoted one of our nation’s top ten universities, Northeastern University, by manning an information stand with Northeastern stickers, pens, brochures and material that explain why Northeastern is one of the top schools in the nation. Thank to Northeastern University for both the support of Brian Wong and for the impact it has upon the young adults in Boston.

Another first place finish and the fastest lap among his peers put Brian on the pole again for the final race of the season. With only twelve points separating Brian and Melanie Snow in the final round, Melanie had the Gold Cup championship in her hands, while Brian focused on another win in the #89 Porsche.

From the start of the race, Brian led his class and was top 5 overall. While leading the race and within the first fifteen minutes of the seventy-five minute race of round fourteen, Brian came on the radio saying there was a problem with the #89. He spun out on turn 4, which was a miracle in itself, as he has excellent car control. Aasco team members Austin Day and Raji Olvera identified that the differential broke on the #89 Porsche, putting Brian out of the race early. This race marked the first time this season that the car failed and in which Brian was not atop the podium.

The back story is that during practice Brian had passed series points leader Melanie Snow as the cars were adjusting set ups and driving lines. Suddenly Wong found himself spinning around off the track. Snow has ‘accidently’ bumped Wong’s right rear tire, breaking the wheel. Thinking it was funny, the car was put back together only to fail in the final race. The broken differential part was traced to the incident wherein Snow slammed into the wheel, with enough force to break the wheel and start the failure of the differential. As the team says in NASCAR, that’s racing!

Although disappointed with the outcome of round fourteen, the overall season was a success as evidenced by Brian’s return to the podium in spite of not finishing the race. At the end of the race ceremony, the IMSA officials celebrated the season and series winners. Congratulations to Melanie Snow on her championship. Brian in the #89 Quiksilver/ Northeastern University Porsche took home second place in the Patron GT3 Challenge by Yokohama under the Gold Cup class. This was a great accomplishment, after missing rounds one and two at Sebring. Brian for the season took home eight consecutive wins and nine wins overall out of the 12 races he entered for the season.

This season has been triumphant for both Brian and Speed Wong Racing. Juggling between the NASCAR Camping World Series and the IMSA Patron GT3 Series, Brian has grown as a driver and person having had experiences at many tracks across the country. A great and memorable season for all of the many friends who have supported Brian through the years. Brian extends his heartfelt appreciation and thanks for all the hours the teams have spent supporting him.

Banquet: the annual IMSA banquet was held on Friday before the races. Memorable line was from Brian Wong’s speech- “Thank you to Patron for supporting the series, although I’m too young to sample their Tequila”