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Mexico City: HBM No. 2 car race report

Mechanical Problems End Rolex Season for CITGO Racing Historic Mexico City event results in disappointing finish for Wallace, Duno Mexico City, Mexico (November 6, 2005) -- The Grand American Rolex Sports ...

Mechanical Problems End Rolex Season for CITGO Racing

Historic Mexico City event results in disappointing finish for Wallace, Duno

Mexico City, Mexico (November 6, 2005) -- The Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series brought the curtain down on the 2005 season with an historic first-ever event at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriquez. Unfortunately, the race and the season did not finish like the #2 CITGO Racing Team wished.

Mechanical problems forced the CITGO Racing Team to retire after only 22 laps and resulted in a 20th-place finish in the Daytona Prototype class.

"I had really good start and was able to advance four positions from my qualifying time," Duno stated. I could sense that something was not entirely right with the steering and at about lap 10 it became even more pronounced. I fought hard to maintain my position while waiting for pit instructions from the team. The steering problem started to get worse and really affected my lap times. We finally had no choice but to make a green flag pit stop on lap 19."

"Andy got in the car and after only one lap brought it back in due to the steering. The team rushed to make the repairs that they could and Andy then headed back out. After only one lap again he brought the car back and this time the team knew that they needed to take the car behind the pit wall for more extensive and time-consuming repairs. Andy then took it back out for what turned out to be our final lap - as the car was retired due to the steering problems."

"I can't tell you how much we wanted a good result here. We all worked so hard to deliver a great season-ending finish for the team, CITGO and the incredibly supportive fans here in Mexico, Milka added. "I have never felt so encouraged and so supported as I have felt this week. The Mexican fans are truly amazing -- they give their heart to you. The people of Mexico City have welcomed us with such open arms and incredible enthusiasm that it is hard to describe -- but you feel it -- you definitely feel it! To the fans here in Mexico -- you have my heart. I absolutely can't wait to race here again!"

"It's really unfortunate that we had the problems with our car today," Wallace added. "I know that everyone on the CITGO Racing Team wanted to come to Mexico City and end the 2005 season with a strong performance. I'm disappointed for the team because of their hard work and effort all year. It's a tough way to end the season."

-hbm-

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