Starworks Ready For Rolex Series Season Finale

Pompano Beach, Fla. team still looking for first win of 2011

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. (Sept. 15, 2011) – Ryan Dalziel (Orlando, Fla.) said this weekend’s GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series season finale at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, is all about running with confidence and aggressiveness.

Dalziel and Venezuelan drivers Alex Popow (Lecheria, Venezuela) and Enzo Potolicchio (Caracas, Venezuela) will complete the 12th season of Rolex Series competition in Saturday’s two-hour, 45-minute EMCO Gears Classic at the 2.258-mile, 13-turn track, for Starworks Motorsports. Dalziel and Popow will drive the No. 8 Ford/Riley, while Dalziel and Potolicchio will drive the No. 2 Porsche/Riley.

Strong gains by the Daytona Prototype team’s Ford engine has proven beneficial over the last two races for the Pompano Beach, Fla.-based team. Dalziel and Popow earned third place in the sprint race last month at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International, while Dalziel and Raphael Matos (Miami, Fla.) were fourth at New Jersey Motorsports Park. That came after several races where accidents – many caused by competitors – were frequent occurrences.

“I think we are pretty bummed about this season,” Dalziel said. “Last season we were really strong and we have really had to dig deep and work for those podiums this season. I feel that Watkins short coarse was a turning point for our program in terms of speed.”

Mid-Ohio wasn’t very kind to Starworks in 2010, as the two cars both finished outside the top 10. However, Dalziel – with a pair of second-place finishes in Formula Atlantic Championship competition – knows the team has the potential to win at Ohio’s most prestigious road course.

“Mid-Ohio is best split into two tracks,” Dalziel said. “The finish line to the esses is all about concentrating on exit speeds and having a good car until the key hole, where you can gain or lose you about a half second. From the esses to the finish line, it’s all about momentum. It’s important to have a car that is good in both disciplines and in past years.”

With Saturday’s race being the final event for the current Daytona Prototype bodywork, Dalziel said there will be no holding back.

“We are going into the weekend with confidence, but more importantly, aggressiveness,” Dalziel said. “After this weekend, this bodywork is trash, and we intend to fully get our money’s worth.”

 Popow  is 11th in the Rolex Series DP points standings, while Dalziel is 12th and Potolicchio is 14th. Popow and Potolicchio are making their first career starts at the track.  Popow and Potolicchio are 4^th and 5^th respectfully in the coveted season long Jim Trueman Award standings entering the season finale.

 Practice and qualifying for the EMCO Gears Classic is scheduled for Friday, with the two-hour, 45-minute race scheduled for 3 p.m. ET. The race will be broadcasted live on SPEED and MRN.