Starworks Motorsports left Lime Rock Park after Monday’s Memorial Day Classic feeling lucky but excited about their third place Podium Finish.  

The #8 Miracle Grout Shield/Jetset Magazine/Dynacor Media Group Ford Riley driven by Mike Forest and Ryan Dalziel rolled off the truck with a set up that they were so successful with just one season ago, but with the ever changing conditions this weekend at Lime Rock the team needed to make significant changes to create a car that was consistent for the race.  This added set up time, on a one-day schedule format, limited the teams qualifying session to just a handful of laps.  After qualifying was complete, the team would start seventh in the race.  Even though the qualifying result didn’t satisfy the drivers, the talented driving tandem drove a clean and patient race that resulted in their second podium in the last three rounds of the 2011 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series.

“We did not roll off the truck strong, and with a format like we had this weekend, every minute on the track counts” Dalziel continues; “But Mike and I did a good job taking care of the front end and tires throughout the race.  The team performed great pit stops and gave us a car that we could drive a sensible race that led to a third place finish.  I’m really happy for the team as it was a tough start to the season for Starworks, Mike and I try extra hard every week for all the guys on the team.”

The #2 Duncan/Avoir Airlines/Candal Taxand/Mindporte Ford Riley of Alex Popow and Enzo Potolicchio started the day one spot behind their team mates in eighth position on the starting grid for the race, but exiting turn 2 on the second lap of the race Popow was hit from behind by another prototype putting the #2 sideways on the race circuit when the #9 DP came into contact with the cars’ rear suspension, prematurely ending their day.

After the race Popow stated “We started in eighth position and was looking to follow Mike’s lead in the #8 car in the opening portion of the race.  Unfortunately, I got caught out from behind exiting turn two and spun around.  The #9 car hit my rear suspension and upon inspection the team decided that the car wouldn’t be safe to return to the race.  I’m really disappointed for Enzo as well as he didn’t get to drive in the race at all.  We are both learning a lot this year and are doing well in the Trueman Award standings, so I’m hoping this doesn’t hurt us too much.”

After the weekend at Lime Rock, the updated point standings show the #8 car leapfrogging the #2 in the Team Championship standings.  The #8 is now in seventh position, with the #2 in eighth.  Going into Lime Rock Park, Popow was second in the Jim Trueman Award standings with his co-driver Potolicchio in third place.

The next race for the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 is June 4^th at Watkins Glen International Raceway for the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen.