4/10 - TRG Qualifies 5-7 for Phoenix 250

John D. · 04-10-2004, 11:28 AM

April 10, 2004:

On a mild desert day, the two blue and yellow Porsches of The Racer’s Group qualified 5-7 in class for Saturday’s Grand-American Rolex Sports Car Series Phoenix 250. Team owner Kevin Buckler qualified the #67 Porsche 911 GT3 RS in 5th position on the GT grid for today's race. Boston area entrepreneur and longtime sports car racer RJ Valentine qualified the #66 F1 Air/Gleason Agency Porsche 7th in class, and set his fast lap of the weekend in the process.

”Our weekend is going very well,” said Valentine, “and qualifying is proof of that. Despite the heat and the slick track, our crew gave Ian, Chris and me a great car to race tomorrow. I’m looking forward to starting the race, and our plan is to work our way up the field and stay out of trouble. It’s going to be crowded out there, so we’ll play it smart and look for a great result.”

Valentine’s teammate Chris Gleason agreed with RJ’s assessment. “The #66 car is the best I’ve felt it. It’s amazing how much easier it is to drive a perfectly set-up car quickly – the car is so responsive and user-friendly. We know clearly where the car’s limits are, which allow us to drive very fast.”

Kevin Buckler said: “I feel good with my time. As always, the qualifying time is faster than the race pace, and our car is nearly perfect – most definitely race ready. Liz [Halliday, Buckler’s co-driver] acclimated very quickly to the circuit, and cranked out some really good laps in today’s practice session. And RJ Valentine! Unbelievable times out of him today – he’s up there mixing it up with the young pros at the front of the field! We’re looking forward to a strong race tomorrow.”

The Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Phoenix 250 will be broadcast live on Speed.

For the latest news and event photos, visit www.theracersgroup.com

Photos from previous race - courtesy of Bob Chapman

Greg A · 04-10-2004, 02:28 PM

Thank you for the report.

Those pics from Sebring are excellent!

I thought Kevin said he wasn't going to drive any longer?

Greg A

Laura · 04-12-2004, 03:48 PM

From what I understand, Kevin has stepped down from driving responsibilities only in the ALMS series. He is devoting his technical and mangerial skills to the New Century Mortgage sponsored Porsche RSR's driven by Wagner/Long/Collins and Ehret/Mathews(?). He will continue to campaign the #66 in the Grand Am series.

Greg A · 04-12-2004, 07:07 PM

Thanks!

Greg A

Shane-TRG · 04-12-2004, 09:21 PM

Laura is correct, Kevin is driving only the Grand-Am races this season. He's focused on managing the ALMS team.

I suppose I should have introduced myself, I'm Shane, the Marketing Director for the team. We'll be making a formal announcement about it, but we've gotten into Le Mans and will be developing a one-off livery and branding campaign for the race. It's going to be amazing - a step UP from everything we did at Sebring!

John D. · 04-12-2004, 11:21 PM

Well - Shane - it's about dang time you posted!!

Make posting a habit, OK??!!!

Best to ya!!!!

Devia · 04-13-2004, 01:42 AM

Yaaaay! I just showed my boyfriend the cars we here at Rennlist help to sponsor, and he smiled, which is pretty good, considering he hates my 944 with a vengeance (she stranded him once, lol.).

Here's a toast to you all, hard working with the Racer's Group! Hip, hip, hurrah!

- Julie

gooseNSJ4 · 05-12-2004, 09:30 PM

What a great photos, one should make a wall paper for garage walls.

Regards.

Dick Dobson · 03-15-2005, 06:16 PM

Are you fielding any customer's in the GT3 Cup Challange Series?

05-12-2004, 09:30 PM	#8
gooseNSJ4 Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,777	What a great photos, one should make a wall paper for garage walls. Regards. __________________ '97 993TT Polar Silver/Red Flamenco Supple '10 Range Rover Sport/Supercharged '10 Range Rover HSE (wife) gone: '82 911 SC Coupe '96 993 C4S '05 BMW M5 and so on....... FUBAR! ...nuf said!

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04-10-2004, 02:28 PM	#2
Greg A Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: LA, CA Posts: 400	Thank you for the report. Those pics from Sebring are excellent! I thought Kevin said he wasn't going to drive any longer? Greg A

04-12-2004, 03:48 PM	#3
Laura User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Lake Forest, CA Posts: 680	From what I understand, Kevin has stepped down from driving responsibilities only in the ALMS series. He is devoting his technical and mangerial skills to the New Century Mortgage sponsored Porsche RSR's driven by Wagner/Long/Collins and Ehret/Mathews(?). He will continue to campaign the #66 in the Grand Am series.

04-12-2004, 07:07 PM	#4
Greg A Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: LA, CA Posts: 400	Thanks! Greg A

04-12-2004, 09:21 PM	#5
Shane-TRG Addict Rennlist Site Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 12	Laura is correct, Kevin is driving only the Grand-Am races this season. He's focused on managing the ALMS team. I suppose I should have introduced myself, I'm Shane, the Marketing Director for the team. We'll be making a formal announcement about it, but we've gotten into Le Mans and will be developing a one-off livery and branding campaign for the race. It's going to be amazing - a step UP from everything we did at Sebring!

04-12-2004, 11:21 PM	#6
John D. Rennlist Join Date: May 1998 Location: Somewhere.... Posts: 9,206	Well - Shane - it's about dang time you posted!! Make posting a habit, OK??!!! Best to ya!!!! __________________ '95 993 C4 '89 964 C4 (<- Jen's...) '88 911 Turbo '68 911 L (<- Jen's...) *Don't Panic* - it's just me, John D.(<- Jen's...) posting as me.... Team Geek & Sunday Driver for “Hey, Wait For Me Racing” Giving new meaning to the term *“Frozen Rotors”*

04-13-2004, 01:42 AM	#7
Devia Super User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 6,110	Yaaaay! I just showed my boyfriend the cars we here at Rennlist help to sponsor, and he smiled, which is pretty good, considering he hates my 944 with a vengeance (she stranded him once, lol.). Here's a toast to you all, hard working with the Racer's Group! Hip, hip, hurrah! - Julie

03-15-2005, 06:16 PM	#9
Dick Dobson Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 72	Are you fielding any customer's in the GT3 Cup Challange Series?