2011 News
Double vision's a sore one for Ryan Dalziel
- 21 August 2011
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.”
THE FACTS: Ryan has had three podiums in 2011 - third at Barber, Lime Rock and Watkins Glen. He has also had three fourth-place finishes.
Ryan won the 2010 Rolex 24 At Daytona, and gave Starworks Motorsport its first DP victory at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in 2008. He finished fifth in the Driver Standings last year.
Round 12 of the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series is the EMCO Gears Classic at Mid-Ohio on 17th September.
Find out more at www.ryandalziel.com