Daytona Test: Synergy Racing report

Synergy Racing Wraps Up Successful Test at Daytona International Speedway

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 6, 2006) -- Synergy Racing wrapped up a successful three-day test at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday. The team fielded six Porsche-powered race cars driven by a total of 22 drivers during the test to prepare for the historic Rolex 24 At Daytona later this month.

Rx.com Daytona Prototype ends test on high note

The No. 8 Rx.com Porsche-powered Doran JE-4 ended this week's testing on a high note, turning its fastest lap of the three days during the final session on Saturday. Internationally renowned Porsche racer Patrick Huisman, of The Netherlands, was behind the wheel of the Rx.com machine when it recorded a 1:44.956 lap averaging 122.109 mph, making it the 10th fastest car among the 64 entries that participated in the test.

"The car is getting better and better," said Huisman. "We've had some teething problems--small problems--the last few days, so we still have a little bit of work to do. But, we're getting pretty close on the set-up of the car. We just need to make sure we get rid of all the little gremlins we've had over the last few days, and we'll be strong for the race."

Huisman is joining Rx.com regulars Burt and Brian Frisselle, of Kihei, Hawaii, for the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

"We've definitely seen some great progress in the car this week," said Brian. "We worked out a lot of the problems we were having at Homestead with shifting and oil pressure. With those things out of the way, we were able to focus more on the chassis. I'm really excited with the potential we have."

SHOES FOR CREWS® Porsche finds speed throughout test

David Murry, of Atlanta, Ga., and Leh Keen, of Dublin, Ga., continued to find speed in the No. 80 SHOES FOR CREWS® Porsche GT3 Cup throughout this week's test. As Keen familiarized himself with his new race car, Murry teamed up to work on the set-up with his 2005 teammate and GT champion Craig Stanton, who was a guest driver in the SHOES FOR CREWS® Porsche this weekend.

"Once again Synergy has put together a great race car," said Murry, who finished third in the 2005 GT driver championship. "Leh did a great job getting a feel for the car this weekend, and it was great to have Craig jump in as a guest driver so we could work on set-up together."

Synergy Racing will announce the remainder of the driver line-up for the SHOES FOR CREWS® Porsche in the coming weeks.

Martini Porsche third fastest in Grand-Am Cup

The No. 81 Martini Porsche 997 was the third fastest race car among the 55 Grand-Am Cup entries at this week's test, recording a 2:02.405 lap at 104.657 mph on Saturday. Porsche factory driver Patrick Long, of Las Vegas, Nev., stepped in as a guest driver in the No. 81 Porsche 997 during the test, joining Brent Martini, of Laguna Beach, Calif.

"The team has definitely made a lot of progress with the 997 since last year," said Martini. "Anytime you put Patrick Long in a car, it's going to go fast, but even I'm three seconds faster this year than I was in the 997 last year. The car has really come a long way, and we'll continue to work to make it even better."

No. 81 Porsche drivers pleased with test

The drivers of Synergy Racing's No. 81 Porsche GT3 Cup were very pleased with the final day of testing at Daytona, with everyone commenting about the tremendous progress seen by the car during the test.

"It's 100 percent better. The team's done a great job, and it's amazing how well the car is handling today," said Ben McCrackin, of Corpus Christi, Texas, on Saturday.

McCrackin's sentiment was echoed by his co-drivers John Pew, of North Palm Beach, Fla., and Hal Prewitt, of Boca Raton, Fla., as they each exited the No. 81 Porsche during Saturday's test sessions. The three drivers will partner with Synergy Racing co-owners and brothers Steve and Danny Marshall, of Blacksburg and Danville, Va., in the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Team Seattle leaves test with high hopes of hitting $500,000 goal

Team Seattle, the charitable racing organization which raises money for Seattle Children's Hospital during the Rolex 24 At Daytona, left its three-days of testing with Synergy Racing with high hopes of hitting its $500,000 goal for this year's race. For the 10th anniversary of the charitable racing effort, Team Seattle will campaign Synergy Racing's new No. 86 and No. 87 Porsche GT3 Cup entries in the Rolex 24 with eight drivers from the Seattle area including: Don Kitch Jr., Chris Pennington, Don Gagne, Chris Pallis, David Gaylord, twin brothers Wes and Ken Hill, and Will Diefenbach.

Although the No. 86 entry was involved in an incident on Friday that kept it from testing on Saturday, its sister car finished out the three-day test with its fastest lap in the final session -- a 1:57.768 at 96.786 mph.

To make a pledge or donation to Team Seattle, visit www.teamseattle.com.

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