TRG heads to Road America with a pair of potent Porsches

(PETALUMA, CA – August 9) After two podiums in a row in the GTC class, TRG will look to make it three-straight podium finishes as the American Le Mans Series heads to Road America for the Orion Energy Systems 245. Ben Keating and Damien Faulkner are coming off a fantastic third place run at Lime Rock Park and a solid weekend at Mosport with sights firmly set on getting back on the steps during the big sports car weekend in the No. 66 Port Lavaca Auto Group/Viper Exchange/Adobe Road Winery Porsche.

Following a fantastic 3rd place finish at Mosport, the No. 68 UIS/KENDA Tires/Recstuff.com Porsche is ready to help its drivers stand on the podium once again, this time in the capable hands of Road America veteran Jeff Courtney and Porsche hot shoe Madison Snow. Both drivers have a history of great finishes, and this weekend they are aiming for the top step of the podium. For the first time ever, Grand-Am and ALMS will be sharing the stage with a Road America joint weekend, marking the next step in unity before they combine for the 2014 season as United Sports Car Racing.

Keating and Faulkner had a bit of tough luck in the previous event at Mosport, being shunted off the track by a prototype car, thus being taken out of contention. It was a difficult incident for the team, as up until then the team felt like things had really begun to turn around for the season. They’ll look to Road America for the finish to that turn with TRG finishing second there in 2011 and a team that’s determined as ever to get a podium result.

Both TRG Porsches have been through extensive testing during the course of the season trying to find extra speed wherever it could to keep pace with the competitive GTC class. It will be helped by Keating’s knowledge of Road America, having qualified on pole and won both races he’s competed in when racing in the SRT Viper Cup series here.

Ben Keating on Road America and the team:

"I love Road America. It is a long and fast track. I have high expectations. I want a win so badly, I can taste it. We have been working hard as a team. We have been working on improving the car, improving our set-up, improving our team, and improving our drivers. No one on the team is happy with our results this season. We are a team of winners, and that is where we expect to be. We are on our game right now. I expect the car to be the best it has been all season. We are so close."

Keating on moving forward after the recent incidents on track with Prototypes:

"After being run off the track by a Prototype Challenge car in the last two races, I decided to take a different approach. We have wrapped the 66 in the same wild colors of the ACRX Viper success. We ought to be seen very well now. It is bright and funky. It also has some great mojo at Road America. It gives new meaning to "pass with flying colors.”

Damien Faulkner on Racing at Road America:

“I’m really looking forward to Road America. Last year I qualified on the front row going on to finish third so I have unfinished business here. At TRG, the guys have been working tirelessly since Mosport in an effort to make us more competitive. It’s true to say that we have had a challenging first half of the season, but I believe that between TRG, Ben, and myself, we can get the job done. Together we are fighters, but above all we are winners and I hope that we can reward the team with a top result this weekend.”

Madison Snow on his ALMS Debut:

"I have always wanted to drive in the American Le Mans Series. This weekend with TRG, thanks to the Buckler family, I now have this awesome opportunity. I am excited to partner with Jeff Courtney in the No. 68 Porsche, as he’s very familiar with the track here at Road America. This is only my third time at Road America, but we’re looking forward to a great result!"

Jeff Courtney on Racing with TRG:

"This is my first ALMS event and it’s a steep learning curve, for sure. This is my home track, though, so that helps a lot. Driving for TRG in the Porsche is a huge plus. While I have a limited background driving Porsches, TRG has been really helpful in getting me up to speed. My co-driver, Madison Snow, is already an accomplished Porsche driver at his young age, which is another bonus for our No. 68 TRG Porsche. It's great to bring Kenda and www.recstuff.com to ALMS this weekend for my sponsors. Thank you to Kevin and Debra Buckler as well as Lisa Kay – I couldn’t be here without them. I can't wait to make further progress in practice session 2 and am ready for the race!"

Kevin Buckler on Racing at Road America:

“Road America is one of the original TRG tracks and the very first track I ever raced on back in 1991. We all love coming here. Ben and Damien drove well today, have a strong car, and I think this is going to be a great weekend for the No. 66 TRG Porsche. I’m also really excited for this pairing of Jeff and Madison this weekend in the No. 68 TRG Porsche. Jeff is a seasoned Road America veteran, while Madison is a young hot shoe that is quickly rising up the ranks as one of the best Porsche racers to come out of North America. All in all we’ve got a super strong lineup, a great team, and are looking forward to the podium this weekend!"

TRG