Mosport

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BOWMANVILLE, ONT., AUG. 17 — Thetford / Norcold Dyson Racing`s Chris Dyson and Andy Wallace came through a 33-car field at Mosport today to finish second overall and first in LMP675 in their #20 MG-Lola EX257.

The Anglo-American duo, who were forced to start the race from the pit lane after Wallace had an accident in the morning warmup, drove a nearly perfect race. Dyson started the event and drove up through the field during his hour and a half opening stint. Dyson handed over the car to his teammate in fifth position. Wallace drove a solid final hour and capitalized on others` blunders to capture a briliant second-place overall finish. The result represented one of the most staggering comebacks in ALMS series` history, and the drivers were thrilled afterwards.

“I am just so happy to be a part of Dyson Racing,” Andy Wallace said. “Everyone pitched in this morning after the warmup accident and the car was absolutely perfect in the race. It is great to be on the podium again, and I could not have done it without my teammate doing such a good job. I love Mosport and it is great to see such a good crowd out there, supporting us.”

Chris Dyson was delighted with the result, and having regained the lead in the LMP675 championship standings. “I knew that we had a good car today, and I was very confident coming into the race, even though we had to start from the pitlane,” Dyson said. “My number-one objective today was to get points for the championship, and I just concentrated on driving a good race and keeping my nose clean. I am ecstatic, because not only were able to regain the lead in the points, but because we were able to finish second-overall. This is just superb, and I am so proud of the team.”

Polesitter James Weaver and his partner Butch Leitzinger starred in the race`s early stages, with Weaver leading the first 29 laps convincingly and setting the race`s fastest lap in the sister #16 machine. Leitzinger took over the car in the second hour and ran a strong third, behind the Audis that had pitted earlier. Leitzinger was just starting to reel the R8`s in when he began suffering electrical problems. The team lost several laps in the pits servicing the car, and Leitzinger soldiered on to the end, finishing twenty-fourth overall and third in LMP675.

Weaver was disappointed after the car had shown so much pace all weekend. “It is a shame when these little things happen, because the car was blinding today,” Weaver said. “These fast corners suited the car to a “T,” and the Goodyear tires were spectacular. I am looking forward to Elkhart Lake next week.”

The team heads out to Wisconsin next weekend to Road America, the fifth round in the nine-race American Le Mans Series championship.

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