Grand-Am
MSR retains technical team for 2008
(Columbus, OH) 20 December 2007-- Michael Shank Racing will not only enjoy the return of the same full-season driver line up for the 2008 Rolex Sports Car Series season, but the Columbus-based team will also benefit from retaining the same team of ...
Published: Dec 22, 2007, 3:56 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
(Columbus, OH) 20 December 2007-- Michael Shank Racing will not only enjoy the return of the same full-season driver line up for the 2008 Rolex Sports Car Series season, but the Columbus-based team will also benefit from retaining the same team of engineers dedicated to the squad's two-car Daytona Prototype team.
"Between the new Pirelli tire, new Riley package, and a new power partner with Ford Racing, there are a ton of new elements for us to learn so we can get the maximum performance out of each," said team owner Mike Shank. "So having the same group of engineers, who already have years of experience working with each other and already have long relationships with our drivers, is a great situation. Even though there is so much to come to grips with, we feel like keeping this group of engineers together, along with our driver line up is going to help us hit the ground running this year."
Dale Wise, who was part of the development team for the Truesports IndyCar and worked with Scott Pruett and Raul Boesel in the PPG IndyCar Championship ranks, has been with Michael Shank Racing since its inception, and continues this year in his role as Technical Director. Wise, who keeps speed a priority even in his off time with a passion for motorcycles and watersports, will be on board the Michael Shank Racing pit box as the race engineer for the No. 6 of John Pew and Ian James on race weekends as well as overseeing the engineering program for the entire team.
Dave Kanning, who never once sat down during the No. 60 car's run to the podium in the Rolex 24 in 2006, will oversee the engineering side of the Patterson/Negri Ford-Riley entry once again in 2008. Kanning scored a record-setting pole with Negri in 2005 at Laguna Seca and 2007 saw them return for a podium run at the famous Monterey facility. Another avid motorcyclist, Kanning engineered Sam Hornish Jr. to victory in Atlantics before he moved to Europe to work with future Formula 1 racer Christian Klien.
Working with Kanning will once again be Jeff Schaffner, who was a data expert with Champ Car powerhouse Newman Hass Racing before working in the Rahal Racing organization. Schaffner joined MSR in 2006 and can be counted on to know exactly how long it is until the 60 needs to pit at any point during the weekend.
Joining Wise on the pit box will once again be Eric Peterson, who works as second engineer on the No. 6 car on race weekends. Peterson, who was Danica Patrick's spotter before joining Michael Shank Racing, also serves as team coordinator based out of Michael Shank Racing's 20,000 square foot custom-build race shop. Peterson is yet another Michael Shank Racing guy with a taste for speed, having followed his passion to the height of professional bike racing before moving into motorsports.
With so many new elements to tackle, Michael Shank Racing will be in constant motion leading up to, and through, the Test Days at Daytona on January 4-6 before race action begins at 1:30 PM on Saturday, January 26th for the 46th Rolex 24 At Daytona.
Happy holidays from everyone at Michael Shank Racing!
-credit: msr
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article SCC: Bill Auberlen announces 2008 rides
Next article Team Sahlen announce 2008 cars
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Danica Patrick
Danica Patrick breaks silence on Sky Sports F1 exit after five years
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Danica Patrick breaks silence on Sky Sports F1 exit after five years
Is the F1 superlicence a help or a hindrance for women racing drivers?
IndyCar
IndyCar
Is the F1 superlicence a help or a hindrance for women racing drivers?
Jimmie Johnson to join Danica Patrick on Indy 500 coverage
IndyCar
IndyCar
Indy 500
Jimmie Johnson to join Danica Patrick on Indy 500 coverage
More from
Meyer Shank Racing
Super Formula Leader Kaku Ohta targets North American move across IndyCar and IMSA for 2027
IndyCar
IndyCar
Super Formula Leader Kaku Ohta targets North American move across IndyCar and IMSA for 2027
IndyCar driver and Fox Sports reporter Jack Harvey announces cancer diagnosis
IndyCar
IndyCar
IndyCar driver and Fox Sports reporter Jack Harvey announces cancer diagnosis
Acura unveils special ‘Thank you’ livery for final two IMSA GTP appearances
IMSA
IMSA
Indianapolis
Acura unveils special ‘Thank you’ livery for final two IMSA GTP appearances
Latest news
Cetilar unveils blue Ferrari 499P ahead of Hypercar debut
Asian Le Mans
AsLM Asian Le Mans 1 h
Cetilar unveils blue Ferrari 499P ahead of Hypercar debut
2026 MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix – How to watch, session times & more
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Malaysian GP
1 h
2026 MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix – How to watch, session times & more
"Two steps forward, one step back" – Oscar Piastri explains the route out of McLaren's car woes
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
3 h
"Two steps forward, one step back" – Oscar Piastri explains the route out of McLaren's car woes
Denny Hamlin proud of season despite another likely missed title
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Martinsville II
4 h
Denny Hamlin proud of season despite another likely missed title
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe