Mid-Ohio: Dyson Racing qualifying report

No Rest for the Quick LEXINGTON, OH July 18, 2008 -- On a track that rewards a smooth rhythm, Dyson Racing has done well at Mid-Ohio. The team has finished off the class podium only twice since 2000, including finishing first and second in 2005.

No Rest for the Quick

LEXINGTON, OH July 18, 2008 -- On a track that rewards a smooth rhythm, Dyson Racing has done well at Mid-Ohio. The team has finished off the class podium only twice since 2000, including finishing first and second in 2005. In this afternoon's qualifying for Saturday's American Le Mans race at Mid-Ohio, the two Dyson Racing Porsche RS Spyders qualified seventh and eighth in class, with Chris Dyson qualifying his #16 Thetford/Norcold entry ahead of Butch Leitzinger in the #20 car.

"The car could have used a little more sharpness on entry for qualifying, but overall, it is a very stable car that I can track anywhere on the course," said Dyson after qualifying. "This is a track that keeps you busy, and consistency trumps outright speed during the race as you work you way through the constant traffic."

"You never have a moment to rest here," Leitzinger concurred as he explains a lap of Mid-Ohio. "You arrive at turn one, breathe the throttle, exit on the curbing, up the next straight, braking at the last marker, into the Keyhole, down into third gear, braking almost to the apex and holding the inside curbing. Down the next straight you have to be careful at the kink in the rise since sometimes the slower cars don't leave you a lane on the inside. You brake for the fourth turn at the second to the last marker down to fourth gear - on the gas for a moment before braking for the left hander. Down to third gear over the crest, the car gets a little bit loose on the exit, down the hill, still in third gear, braking, the car gets loose there as well, over the curb, than up the hill, carry fourth gear all the way up, just to the rev limiter, and turning over the ski jump, and up into Thunder Valley. A lift of the throttle, turn in over the curb at turn eleven, come into the Carousel, brake, the car floats a bit over the hill, down to third, bring it back to the curb, follow the curb around and you are back on the front straight.

"Mid-Ohio is a fan's dream. The viewing is second-to-none. There are some wonderful places to watch from and there really isn't a bad seat in the house."