SCC: Millville: Burrows, Hopwood race report

Burrows and Hopwood Suffer Setback But Race to the Finish With Kia at NJMP

MILLVILLE, NJ, (17 July 2010)-- Adam Burrows was punted off track by Tom Sheehan of 3D Racing as the two entered a high-speed corner, damaging the No. 12 Kia Motors/Infinity Audio Kia Forte Koup and ruining the factory Kia pilot's shot at a strong finish in the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge race at New Jersey Motorsports Park on Saturday.

The Kinetic Motorsports crew, having put in an extensive effort through the high-temperature race weekend, was once again in top form despite the heat as the team repaired the damage to the No. 12 Kia Motors/Infinity Audio Kia Forte Koup by the ham-fisted driving of Sheehan. By replacing a toe link and sorting out the body damage, the crew's effort allowed Trevor Hopwood to take the controls and return to the track to once again race to the finish.

That task, already a challenging one given the intense heat and humidity during the endurance race, was made all the more challenging in the final hour as Hopwood had to fight through a power steering problem to bring the car a remarkable eighth consecutive race finish for the 2010 GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge season with a run to 16th at the finish.

"I'm not sure what to say--it was a high-speed corner and he made a zero-percentage move," said Burrows. "Trev and I have been racing clean in this series for four years, and that's not the way that we drive so this is disappointing. We saw the potential with the Kia Forte Koup once again this weekend, but with the damage and the time in the pits, we just weren't able to show it today. Trevor is an Ironman to run that long in this heat without the power steering working, just an outstanding effort from him. Thanks again to the Kinetic guys for all their work in these tough conditions. It is disappointing to have this outcome, but I'm glad we brought Kia another finish and hopefully we can just make it a stronger result at Trois Rivieres."

The duo, who were once again asked to step into the role of spokesmen and tour guide for a group of Continental Tire guests during the race weekend, had been hoping for more on a track that is close to home for both.

"That was a lot of work out there," said Hopwood, who has dropped nearly 20 pounds recently thanks to new workout regimen. "You have to change your mindset when you have a set back like we did today, and I just wanted to finish the race, even though I was really struggling with the steering going away about an hour from the finish. But the main thing was to see that checkered flag for Kia. Congratulations to the RSR guys for winning today, they've worked very hard and are a great group of guys so even though we didn't have the race we wanted to, I'm happy for them to come out on top. We'll come back stronger in Trois Rivieres."

After trying their luck in Atlantic City on Saturday night, the duo will look forward to a highlight event north of the border for the Grand Prix du Trois Riveres on August 13-4. Burrows and Hopwood won the 2008 running of the race on their way to second in the championship that year.

-source: sgm