Phoenix: Terry Borcheller preview

Phoenix homecoming

Terry Borcheller will have a big cheering section of family, friends and colleagues when he competes in the Rolex Sports Car Series race at Phoenix International Raceway on Sept. 10. Although he now lives in Gainesville, Ga., Borcheller lived in Phoenix for 14 years, and he is still sponsored by the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving in Phoenix. The school has also been home for the Bell Motorsports/Feeds the Need team as it prepares the No. 54 Pontiac-powered Doran JE4 for Borcheller and his co-driver, Ralf Kelleners of Dusseldorf, Germany.

"It's good to go back to Phoenix, our home for 14 years. A lot of friends and family will be coming out to the race. Phoenix is a great track for spectators because you can see the whole track," Borcheller noted.

"It's great to be so close to one of my sponsors, the Bondurant School. They've been very gracious to us. They let us keep the truck there on the lot and they also have given us a place to work to prep for the race. A big thank-you to Bob and the whole school!"

split format

The Rolex Series will host two races on the 1.51-mile Phoenix infield road course, splitting the Daytona Prototype and GT cars that usually compete together. Borcheller and Kelleners will drive in the Daytona Prototype race on Saturday evening.

"We're going to have our own race for the DP cars, so that should be interesting for traffic. It's going to be more flat-out," Borcheller said. "The traffic within the prototypes is tough enough because the cars are so close. With our car being a little bit off the pace, we've been able to utilize the GT traffic to our benefit, so it remains to be seen if the [split format] will work in our favor."

hot race

Borcheller knows the Phoenix climate well. "Phoenix in August -- even if it's at night -- is going to be very, very hot," he predicted.

He'll be hydrating with extra water all week, and will make use of a cooling suit in the race car. He'll also be prepared with the appropriate helmet visor to ensure maximum vision as the sun sets early in the race.

details (PT)

The Rolex Sports Car Series Daytona Prototype race is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 10 from 7 pm to 9:45 pm (10 pm to 12:45 am ET) on the 1.51-mile Phoenix International Raceway infield road course. The race will be televised on Speed Channel on Sunday, Sept. 11 from 1 pm to 4 pm (4 pm to 7 pm ET). Live timing/scoring and audio will be available at grandamerican.com.

online
tborcheller.com

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