PODIUM FINISH FOR ROBERT DAVIS RACING AT THUNDERHILL 25 HOUR
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif., December 8, 2009 Robert Davis Racing (RDR) scored a
strong third-place finish in the grueling 25 Hours of Thunderhill Presented by Mothers Polishes,
Waxes, and Cleaners. In RDR’s first attempt at North America’s longest race, the team fielded
its endurance-prepared E1 Class Mazda RX-8.
Driven by RDR drivers Dennis Holloway, Jim Holloway, Jeremy Barnes, Jim Daniels and Ken
Saward, the RX-8 qualified fourth in class, but soon raced to the lead. The team’s primary
competition were Mazda MX-5 Cup cars, several driven by professional MAZDASPEED
Motorsports Development ladder series drivers.
As happens so frequently in endurance racing, early success soon led to mechanical
frustrations, as RDR ran into braking trouble seven hours into the event. The team discovered
that they had chosen a brake pad-compound that was too aggressive for a 2000 mile race.
Great pit work got the car back underway in just six laps. During the night, three of these laps
were recovered on lap speed alone. But the cards were already dealt, and at 14 hours, a
second brake change was needed, dropping the team back to third place.
After a hard battle they worked their back into second place, posting the fastest lap of the race,
only to have major contact in hour 21 require a lengthy pit stop for repairs. Once repaired, the
team balanced the pace and pit stops to finish the event and claim a podium position and an
amazing 658 laps or 1,975 miles. Other than premature brake wear, the Mazda RX-8 ran
flawlessly for the full race, with no mechanical issues.
Justin.TV for the entire event.
Next Up: Off-season preparation for the 2010 NASA season-opener at Willow Springs on
February 6, 2010.
About RDR: RDR has been a dominant force on the west coast in SCCA Club Racing, 12
divisional and 4 national titles for the last seven years. RDR appreciates the support of MotherÕs
Polishes and Waxes, SAFERACER, Hoosier Racing Tires, MAZDASPEED Motorsports
Development, Motul, AIM Sports, Racing Hart, Nippon Paint, Racing Beat, Speed Source, Hawk
Brakes, AWR, Classy Car Auto Detailing, Sparco, Pure Power, Star Shield Armor, Petrol
Eyewear, and EMI.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
