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DUBLIN, Ohio â€“ Dyson Racing will be looking to extend a pair of winning streaks in this weekendâ€™s Grand American Road Racing Association visit to the historic Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for the U.S. Road Racing Classic. James Weaver and Butch ...

Edited: Apr 15, 2002, 11:45 PM

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DUBLIN, Ohio – Dyson Racing will be looking to extend a pair of winning streaks in this weekend’s Grand American Road Racing Association visit to the historic Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for the U.S. Road Racing Classic.

James Weaver and Butch Leitzinger scored an impressive victory in Monday’s Dodge Dealers Grand Prix, driving the Dyson Racing Riley & Scott Ford. Weaver is also the defending Mid-Ohio winner, co-driving with Andy Wallace to win the 1999 event on the 2.4-mile road circuit.

“We’re going to try to make it two in a row at Mid-Ohio, but the competition is going to be a little tougher than it was at Lime Rock,” said Leitzinger. “We’re going to have a big field, and traffic should cause some commotion as well. So it will be a very good race.”

Leitzinger held the lead in the 1999 race at Mid-Ohio, with teammate Wallace squeezing by to take the lead in the closing laps, giving Dyson Racing a one-two finish.

“Last year it came down to a race between me and James,” Leitzinger recalled. “We had a yellow with 10 laps to go, and on the restart I thought I had the inside covered going into the first turn. I forgot James was behind me, and all of a sudden I got a push out of the way, and he went on to win.

The U.S. Road Racing Classic will feature all five Grand-Am classes in a 250-mile race. Ryan Hampton and Larry Oberto will be seeking their fourth consecutive victory in the SportsRacer Lights class.

“Both Larry and I have raced at Mid-Ohio several times, so learning the track will not be a problem,” said Hampton, a former standout in Formula 2000 action. “There will be more SportsRacer Lights cars at Mid-Ohio, so the competition will be a little tighter, but we’re hoping to pull through.””

Also seeking their fourth consecutive victories will be GTO front-runners Terry Borcheller and Ron Johnson, who overcame a sticking throttle and pit fire to win at Lime Rock in their Saleen SR. Other Lime Rock winners were Rick Fairbanks and Bill Auberlen in GTU, and Craig Conway and Doug Goad in GTO.

The U.S. Road Racing Classic will also feature driver autograph sessions, fan forums for race fans to talk one-on-one with drivers, and unique fan experience giveaways. These once-in-a-lifetime prizes include pace car rides, a chance to watch a race from the trackside "Esses" announcer's booth, a Sunday VIP luncheon for 25 race fans and a guest, and a chance to wave the green flag at one of Saturday and Sunday's races.

"This is a great opportunity for Mid-Ohio race fans to do something very few ever get a chance to experience in their lifetimes, such as wave the green flag to begin a race," Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course President Michelle Trueman Gajoch said. "Our fans have always been a big part of the Mid-Ohio racing experience, and we want to reward that enthusiasm with unique racing experience prizes."

Fans ages 18 and over and in attendance on Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3, are eligible for the giveaways. Prize items take place on Saturday, June 3, and Sunday, June 4. Winners must be present to be eligible to claim prizes.

Mid-Ohio Sports Car course is a 2.4-mile, 15-turn permanent road course located in Lexington, Ohio, 60 miles north of Columbus and 75 miles south of Cleveland. Mid-Ohio hosts six major motorsports events in 2000, including amateur, professional and international racing of the two- and four-wheel variety. Mid-Ohio is also home to The Mid-Ohio School, featuring 10 different driving programs. For event information or to order tickets, call 1-800-MID-OHIO or (419) 884-4000.

Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., home of the legendary Rolex 24 At Daytona, the Grand American Road Racing Association’s mission is to become the premier sanctioning body for professional sports car road racing in North America, as well as the rallying point for its tradition, history and lifestyle activities. For additional information, visit www.grand-am.com.

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