TEAM RELEASE: Fall-Line Motorsports Makes the Best Out of Difficult Situation at VIR in CTSC
Danville, Virginia (August 25, 2014) – Fall-Line Motorsports left Virginia International Raceway in second place in GS standings, just two points out of the lead with driver Trent Hindman. The #46 car has led the Championship since race two of the 2014 Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge Series but with just two races remaining, the Fall-Line team is pulling out all the stops. The #46 car had a charging issue during the race that made for two extra pit stops and put the BMW M3 a lap down in P12 to finish out the race. Ashley Freiberg was back in the #48 and drove a great race alongside co-driver Andrew Longe. The pair finished P13 after a late race pit stop took them out of a strong top-10 finishing position.
Hindman started from P6 and very eary in his stint the team realized there was a problem. The issue was obviously electrical and Hindman had to make an un-scheduled pit stop to replace the battery. Conditions were extremely grueling, with the internal temperature of the cars reaching over 135 degrees. The drivers weren’t able to use their helmet blowers and had to turn off all un-necessary devices that would draw electricity. The battery had to be replaced three times, calling for two additional pit stops, and still the team only lost one lap and kept the #46 car running until the end of the race. They finished in twelfth place but in this race to the end for the Championship, every point is crucial.
#46 Trim-Tex/ Cirocco & Ozzimo/ Atlas Acon/ DFL Interiors/ Fall-Line Motorsports BMW driver quotes: Finished P12.
John Edwards: “It was a disappointing day for us. We had a pretty decent pace but were fighting an electrical problem that required us to change batteries during every pit stop. Ultimately one of our stops took a long time when the team tried to repair the problem and it cost us a lap. The Championship is tight now going into the last two races so it should be exciting but it’s a little more excitement than we needed after having such a big lead earlier in the season.”
Trent Hindman: “Well, overall it was a character building race, we definitely had a car that was capable of finishing on the podium but unfortunately we just got caught out by some electrical gremlins. This #46 Fall-Line team has done an incredible job overcoming the bad luck that we’re having this summer and that’s really what’s keeping us in this championship hunt! A big thank you to our partners Trim-Tex, Cirocco & Ozzimo, Atlas Acon, and DFL Interiors for sticking with us and helping us keep this program going. We’re trailing the 6 car by a little bit in points now, but there’s two races to go and plenty of time to make it happen.”
Andrew Longe competed in his third race of the season in the #48 BMW M3 and had a strong race despite the 13th place result. Longe started the race from P17 but had a solid first stint and kept the car clean and improved each and every session he was in the car. It was Ashley’s first race back behind the wheel since Kansas and her first trip to VIR in many years. She also assumed the finishing role for this event as Fall-Line continues to gain as much experience for Ashley while focusing on trying to put together a full program for her in 2015. She got behind the wheel after executing a perfect driver change and excellent pit stops and was looking to finish strongly in the top-ten before having to pit with just two laps remaining in the race for a splash of fuel.
#48 Starstruck/ Trianon Hotels Fall-Line Motorsports BMW driver quotes: Finished P13.
Ashley Freiberg: “It felt absolutely amazing to be back in the #48 Fall-Line Motorsports BMW! I was really proud of the job Andrew did, and the crew gave us a great car to bring us up to 10th before we had to pit for a splash of fuel at the end. It was definitely one of the toughest races I ever had to drive in my whole career though, both mentally and physically. For the one hour forty-five minute stint in a 140 degree racecar, I had no helmet air blower and ran out of water quickly due to me trying to keep my body temp down. I definitely am stronger after that one, and I hope I can carry over the lessons I learned to finish out the season.”
Andrew Longe: “It was a great weekend at Virginia International Raceway in our Fall-Line Motorsports/ Trianon Hotels BMW M3! It was a great opportunity to work with Ashley this weekend and I believe we both benefitted from building off of each other’s strengths and we will be able to use the skills we learned to put towards the remainder of the season. A huge thank you to all of the Fall-Line Motorsports team for the perfect car, amazing pit stops and everything they do to ensure we have the best car on grid, we couldn’t do it without them.”
Michael Harvey, Fall-Line Motorsports Team Manager: “I am very proud of the Fall-Line Motorsports team, we experienced some challenges today and the team rose to the occasion to minimize the damage. These are the events that win championships and with the “never give up” attitude these guys have extracted the most from the race. Such a pity as the car was very strong. It was great to have Ashley back behind the wheel and she and Andrew did an excellent job, with great pace. As always the Fall-Line BMWs were strong throughout the weekend as we now look to put together two perfect events to bring Fall-Line, BMW and all our great partners the big prize. “
Fall-Line Motorsports is a premiere builder and fabricator of race cars for all levels of competition. Fall-Line specializes in BMW, Porsche, Audi and other high-performance makes. Fall-Line Motorsports unveiled their Grand-Am team in 2006 and won the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge GS Championship title in 2010. In addition to fielding 3 GS BMW M3s in the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge and an Audi R8 LMS in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, Fall-Line also prepares and fabricates cars for other CTSC teams, SCCA and NASA drivers, track day prepared and high performance street vehicles. www.fall-linemotorsports.com
@FallLineMotors www.facebook.com/Falllinemotorsports
Trim Tex Drywall Products’ global headquarters and manufacturing facility, located in Lincolnwood, Illinois, is the most modern and efficient in the industry. Trim-Tex also has a satellite facility located in Orange, California. Both facilities feature a Design & Training Center where architects, builders, and contractors can be inspired and educated. With a combined inventory of well over 100,000 boxes of product and a 40-year history of 100% in-stock, Trim-Tex sets the standard for same day shipping. Trim-Tex doesn’t just make decorative products. In fact, Trim-Tex has over 20 patented drywall products designed to improve installation quality and design aesthetics in commercial and residential projects worldwide. [email protected] www.facebook.com/TrimTex
Atlas Acon Electric Service Corp.:
With a reputation spanning over 50 years, Atlas-Acon provides full-service electrical contracting for new construction, renovations, as well ongoing service and maintenance in the commercial and industrial markets in the greater New York area. Atlas-Acon works with some of the largest general contractors, construction managers, architects and engineers utilizing its vast expertise to manage project-specific schedules in a cost effective manner. The construction needs of its corporate clients are diverse and unique and Atlas-Acon prides itself on creating and developing innovative solutions.
www.atlasacon.com
Cirocco & Ozzimo Inc. is a commercial exterior and interior renovation contractor serving the Tri-State area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Cirocco & Ozzimo is recognized as us one of the top concrete firms in the New York City metro area and specializes in masonry, plaster and fireproofing to Building Owners, General Contractors and Consultants for building renovations and new construction.www.ciroccoandozzimo.com
JRZ Suspension Engineering was founded in 1995 by Jan Zuijdijk and specializes in building racing dampers. With experience from Formula One to OE supply, JRZ Suspension Engineering is a leading damper manufacturer. Products range from engineered motorsport solutions to ready to install street performance kits. With wins at The 24 hours of Daytona, LeMans, Sebring, and more along with major championships around the globe, JRZ has a proven track record. For 2014 JRZ Suspension Engineering has entered into a technical partnership with Fall Line motorsports, providing engineering support for the 2014 championship run.www.jrzsuspension.com