ALMS

Sebring: Peterson/White Lightning race report

Petersen/ White Lightning Takes Sebring Podium After Exciting Battle SEBRING, Fla., March 20, 2004 - Petersen Motorsports/ White Lightning Racing, who qualified the No. 31 Westward Ho Casino/ MMPIE/ PAWS/ Justice Brothers Porsche 911 GT3 RS fifth ...

Published: Mar 22, 2004, 6:06 AM

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Petersen/ White Lightning Takes Sebring Podium After Exciting Battle

SEBRING, Fla., March 20, 2004 - Petersen Motorsports/ White Lightning Racing, who qualified the No. 31 Westward Ho Casino/ MMPIE/ PAWS/ Justice Brothers Porsche 911 GT3 RS fifth in GT class, finished third in class in today's 52nd Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. The Las Vegas-based race team owned by Michael Petersen, fought a last hour battle with fellow Porsche team, Flying Lizard, to take its first podium finish of 2004. The team, headed by Dale White and Kent Moore, also won the first IMSA Cup award of 2004 as the highest finishing privateer team having taken the third step of the podium behind Alex Job Racing who has its drivers supplied by Porsche and therefore is categorized as a factory effort. David Murry, of Cumming, Ga., was able to hold his position in the closing laps despite running low on fuel and fighting fading brakes after taking the final driving stint from co-driver Craig Stanton, of Long Beach, Calif. Making the feat even more amazing is that, late last night, a short in the wiring harness of the team's Porsche 911 GT3 RS forced a complete replacement of the harness- which is every electric wire inside the car- as well as finish the planned engine change and gearbox rebuild. The team arrived at the track on Friday morning at 7 am and has not slept or left the Sebring International Raceway since. Murry and Stanton were the only driving team to compete with only two drivers and the highest finishing Porsche RS chassis in the field.

Mike Petersen, owner: "That was the hardest finishing third place we've ever had in our career. Towards the end we had some trouble with the brakes and had to conserve fuel. The end was definitely some of the most nerve-wracking two hours of any race we have ever done. I think it was the right decision to go with two drivers. It wasn't an advantage and it wasn't a disadvantage. The team did an awesome job and Craig and David are a great asset to this race team."

Dale White, team manager: "The plan worked-out. It took twelve hours but it worked out. I just wish it had come together about an hour earlier so it wouldn't have been such a nail-bitter but it came together. We went conservative on our setup, on our brakes and on our motor and it worked. The whole team really came together on this one and I am so proud of how well everyone performed."

David Murry, driver: "I'm very appreciative of Mike and Dale for having me as a part of their team. I'm appreciative of the crew that stayed-up all night working on this car for Craig and me to drive today. That's what's on your mind when you're driving because you know that's what the crew guys did. I'm looking forward to lots of great success with the Petersen/ White Lightning team."

Craig Stanton, driver: "It was a great day. This is all about the team. The guys all had to pull together with all the adversity this weekend and it really shows the strength of this Petersen/ White Lightning team. The Porsche worked flawless all day. We asked a lot out of the car and the Michelin tires today and they all came through. Mike and Dale put together a top-notch team and we're going to carry a lot of momentum on through the end of the season."

Petersen Motorsports/ White Lightning Racing began operation as an off-road team in the 1980s winning over 50 truck victories, including three-consecutive overall wins at the Baja 1000, and multiple championships. Since beginning sports car racing, the effort has scored victories in the ALMS, the Trans-Am Series, Speed Challenge Series and endurance sports car wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Alex Job Racing, Watkins Glen and at the Rolex 24 of Daytona. In 2003, they won the ALMS GT class of the Road American 500 and finished second in class at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.

-www.petersenmotorsports.com-

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