SCC: Automatic Racing VIR test notes

Automatic Racing Moves Forward During VIR Test

ALTON, Va. -- Despite frequent rain showers, Automatic Racing was able to make significant progress during a two-day test at Virginia International Raceway last week. The Grand-Am Cup team spent Wednesday and Thursday waiting for a break in the downpour to work on further developing the No. 09 and No. 90 BMW M3s.

Drivers Jep Thornton and David Russell were on hand for the test, as was team manager Mike McLaughlin. Crew chief and chassis engineer John Terry was unable to attend, so Nick Harvey filled in to assist the team.

Automatic Racing took advantage of the rare moments of dry track to work on suspension and chassis settings in a variety of race setups.

Thornton commented that "the test went really well for us. We got a lot accomplished in the short amount of track time that we were able to get, and I think we'll make a lot more progress once we arrive at Watkins Glen."

"With the competition level what it is, we constantly have to strive to improve," said Russell. "We want to maintain a top-level car. With all of the alterations to the Porsches and Cadillacs, we need to be able to make more improvements on the car to keep it up front."

From VIR, Automatic Racing moves on to New York's Watkins Glen for round five of the Grand-Am Cup Series. The race will be held next Saturday, June 11.

-www.AutomaticRacing.com.