Dalziel Montreal race report

THE PLOT: Ryan Dalziel suffered double vision at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve — and admits it gave him a real headache.

#8 Starworks Motorsport Ford Riley: Ryan Dalziel, Alex Popow

Photo by: Ted Rossino

The super-quick Scot qualified and started the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series race in the #2 INA Venezuela/Duncan Porsche-Riley before handing over to Venezuelan Alex Popow.

Then Orlando-based Ryan was to take over from Enzo Potolicchio to bring home the #8 INA Venezuela/Avior Airlines Ford-Riley.

While Grand-Am rules insisted that Lanarkshire-born Ryan, 28, could only score points in the first car he drove, he was determined to carry on the run of success that has seen Fort Lauderdale-based Starworks Motorsport grab five top-four finishes in six races.

But the promise of double delight turned to disaster as both cars were damaged. The #8 was hit and spun, dislodging the front brake duct, ending their race.

Then the #2 was spun just 10 minutes from the end - costing them a solid sixth place.

The records will show Starworks Motorsports finished 10th and 11th in class, but the records don’t tell the full story...

THE QUOTES: “We had two fast cars and, despite the best efforts of the team, we came home with nothing.

“The #8 car got hit from behind by the Ganassi car, spinning us out and dislodging one of the front brake ducts. We eventually had to retire with a brake cooling problem. It was just too unsafe around Montreal. It’s notoriously the hardest track on brakes so we were junk after losing the front brake hose.

“The #2 car was strong. After qualifying fifth, I stayed there until handing over to Alex on 25 minutes.

“We kept pace with the leaders so that’s a big step forward for the Porsche-Riley program.

“Alex ran a great stint and was looking like sixth was on the table until 10 minutes to go, on the final restart, when he was spun out by another competitor at a turn 1 stack-up.

“It was a really disappointing race day after an excellent weekend. We will regroup and go on to the season finale at Mid-Ohio where we intend to be more aggressive than ever.”