SCC: VIR II: Bodymotion Racing race notes

Lewis, Lamb & Bavaro - Mission Accomplished for Bodymotion at VIR

10/11/06 -- Atlanta, GA -- Bodymotion Racing entered the 6-hour Grand Am Cup race at VIRginia International Raceway the weekend of Oct. 7th with two goals: a top ten finish in the race and a top ten finish in team points for the season. After the rain-soaked checkered flag flew at 9pm, the team had accomplished both goals to wrap up their second year of GS competition in a Porsche 997.

Drivers Shane Lewis, Todd Lamb and Mike Bavaro battled the cold, rain, fog, darkness, and wild restarts to finish on the lead lap in 8th. This earned the team enough points to be ranked 10th for the season amongst the toughest professional racing teams competing in the USA.

Todd Lamb: "Six hours is a long time for things to go wrong. We knew before the race that a top ten was within our reach if we avoided contact and kept the car on the track. We had a great wet setup on the car, but even my patented rain dance didn't work. I had a bit of a moment when the rain finally did come - I was just going for the brakes in turn one when I saw headlights disappear over the berm in front of me. I wasn't sure what was happening until I was blinded by a wall of rain. Fortunately I made the corner with a good inch to spare! I have to thank Mike for the opportunity with his team, and the crew for their flawless stops."

Bodymotion Racing has certainly beaten the odds in its sophomore year. The team is not sponsored and is supported by a volunteer crew. Their Porsche 997 was purchased from a local dealership and driven on the street for several weeks, complete with factory warranty, before being built for Grand Am Cup competition. The engine hasn't been apart in two years and 20 races of intense competition.

Mike Bavaro: "It's a true credit to Porsche to have that combination of reliability and performance, but I have to give a lot of credit to the team for their hard work all season: crew chief Paul Schwarz, front tire changer Jesse Bavaro, rear tire changer Geoff Able, jackers Ace Bavaro, Ross DeVoe, and Steve Reya, fuel and fire men Marc DeVoe and Adam McInnis, and timing guru Emily Furnal. My wife Margaret did a wonderful job with travel arrangements, meals and hospitality all season long. In two years of Grand Am Cup competition, this dedicated group of people has never received a penalty or committed a single pit violation and they remain among the fastest, most accurate crews on pit road."

Bodymotion Racing is making plans to compete in Grand Am Cup for 2007.

-credit: br