Dear Race Fans and Supporters:

My friend Shane Lewis and I have decided to compete in the ALMS GTC Class Series for 2010. The season starts with our entry in the 58th Mobile 1 12 Hours of Sebring Race. Shane's an extraordinary driver with loads of experience who will be making his eight start in this historic race.  Off Season Shane's been helping me prepare since this will be my first endurance race.  Shane has great memories and a lot of adrenaline pumping as he gets ready to return to Sebring this year. I'm fortunate to have Shane and a talented dedicated team assembled for this season.

Our returning Team is rested and ready to go flat out this Season.

The all-star cast for 2010:

• Jerry Vento - Principal Driver / Owner
• Shane Lewis- Driver
• Tom Allen- Mechanic / Fuel
• Chase Navarre - Strategist / Data
• Jesse Reznor - Crew/Tires
• Kelly Williams - Mechanic / Wheel Changer
• John Hobbs - Mechanic / Wheel Changer
• Travis Quinn - Crew / Fuel
• Aaron Wiess - Spotter / Simulator

12 Hours at Sebring attracts the best competitive drivers from all over the world.  The track is tough on drivers and just as tough on cars. That is why our Team is ready to take on all the challenges ahead.
Sebring does harsh and wild things to drivers and cars... but it also produces amazingly loyal race fans. Our spirits were bolstered last year by great fans when the going got rough especially for me in my first run there.

To all the  supporters we met..
To those who stopped by our camp...
Cheered us on...
To the Turn Ten Go Shane Go fans...
To all who visited our web site, joined our Facebook and so much more........................

We Thank You.

We also want to thank Ed Brown, President and CEO of the Patron Spirits Company for again supporting us in 2010.  And a big thanks to Scott Sharp, Team Owner / Executive Manager of Extreme Motorsports,  for his great help as we prepare for 2010.
We will roll out No 88 Taquila Patron Porsche 997 for the first time at the AMLS Winter Test Feb 22-23 at Sebring International Raceway.

The 58th Mobile 1 12 Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida will begin with the green flag dropping at 10:35 AM on Saturday March 20th with live coverage on SPEED.

We hope to see you there.

Thanks from all of us at Velox Motorsport

Kindest Regards,
Jerry

Shane Lewis and Jerry Vento to compete in the Full Season ALMS GTC Class

West Palm Beach, FL (February 8, 2010), Velox Motorsport along with Principal Driver Jerry Vento and Shane Lewis, have announced they will compete in the ALMS GTC Class for a full season in 2010. The Tequila Patron, Velox Motorsport entry, successfully debuted the No. 88 Porsche 997 in the last seasons ALMS Mid-Ohio event and continued their success at the Laguna Seca finale.

Shane and Jerry will kick off the season with the 58^th Mobil1 12 Hours of Sebring, in which Lewis makes his return after several years, and Vento will compete in his first 12 hour endurance race.  Lewis, a veteran of world class endurance racing, will mark his eighth start in this historic event bringing years of racing experience and knowledge to Velox Motorsport.  Lewis and the entire team at Velox Motorsports have worked extensively together throughout the off season, developing a team that will give them the competitive advantage necessary to have a successful 2010 season.

Lewis looks forward to his return to the ALMS series especially the 12 Hours of Sebring, being one of his favorite events.  “The 12 Hours of Sebring has always been very special to me.  From a competitive standpoint you are racing with some of the greatest drivers all over the world, driving flat out on a track that is as tough on cars as it is drivers.  This place and this race really makes you push the limits.   But mostly, Sebring has the most loyal fans I have ever seen, especially the Turn 10 "Go Shane Go" fans.  I can’t wait to take the green flag just for them, and if all goes well, finish on the top step of the podium while saluting the fans and my team. This event brings back a lot of memories for me, and I am excited to be apart of it again with Jerry and Velox Motorsport.”

Vento, founder of Velox Motorsport has been competing in historic sportscar racing  for a number of years as well as selected events in the Patron GT3 Cup in 2009.  Once he got a taste of running competitively with Lewis at the ALMS level, he couldn’t fight the rush of adrenaline and competition, leading the team into one of the most competitive classes in the ALMS Series.   “I am excited to have the opportunity to compete in the 2010 season, in one of the toughest classes in ALMS, “  said Vento. “Our team is very dedicated and determined to give us the competitive edge necessary to have a successful year.”

Velox Motorsport will roll out the No. 88 Tequila Patron sponsored Porsche 997 for the first time February 22-23 at the annual American Le Mans Series Winter Test at Sebring International Raceway. 

The American Le Mans Series will open its 12th season with America’s greatest sports car race, the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida from March 17-20. The green flag will fall at 10:35 a.m. on Saturday, March 20 with live coverage on SPEED. For ticket and accommodation information, see sebringraceway.com.

The annual American Le Mans Series Winter Test is scheduled for February 22-23, also at Sebring International Raceway.

For more information visit www.veloxmotorsport.com
 

PR contact: pr@shanelewis.com

Feel free to post comments (moderated)

Hello Race Fans! and in particular Velox Motorsport fans and followers. We have made changes to our blog in order to bring you the latest updates and information about the team and the upcoming season. The blog format has changed and I am sure you will find it much more user friendly.
In the upcoming weeks I will be making the blog much more easier on the eyes from mobile browsers, watch for this exciting change.
The race season is gearing up and Velox is getting ready, news on this coming soon.

Drop me an Email - Ray - Site Admin

Velox motorsport began its first ALMS race from the front row at Mid Ohio. Principal driver Gerry Vento started the race after co-driver Shane Lewis qualified on the front row in 2nd place.

As the race went green Vento did no more than a half a lap when the yellow flag flew as Ed Brown sustained contact with the wall in the turn three area. After a lengthy yellow period Vento still sitting in second ,was ready for the task at hand. As the field went green around the 25 minute mark it was decided that Vento would remain in the car until another yellow flag or until the #88 Porsche 997 ran low on fuel.

Vento was able to hold his own within the field fighting heavy traffic. At the 1 hour 30 minute mark Vento received a punt from behind setting him off the track in the turn 3 area just short of the gravel trap.

Vento was quick to gather the number 88 back together as these cars are very hard to start when they are hot. Unfortunately the leader was able to pass as Vento sat lifeless momentarily putting the 88 down one lap. Once back on track Vento resumed his regiment of consistent lap times. "Gerry has been extremely consistent in traffic. His lap times are really amazing considering this is his first ALMS event and the closing speeds of the prototypes. The team couldn't ask for more." commented the team manager.

At the one hour and 52 minute mark of the race Vento received an unfortunate "drop kick" from another competitor entering the carousel. The heavy contact on the passenger side of the car resulted in shearing off the right front valve stem giving Vento very little if any steering control. Unfortunately this occurred in the last corner resulting in the tire going down on the front straight. This left Vento to complete one full lap before being able to pit. "Gerry was able to keep his cool and limp the car around. We were concerned the tire would come apart and shred resulting in damage to the right front radiator. Although we lost another lap we were able to get him in here (pits), fill with fuel ,change all four tires and allow Shane to get in." commented mechanic Tom Allen.

Having almost maxed his legal allotted time in the car Vento was relieved by sports car ace Shane Lewis.

Lewis stepped into the #88 with 53 minutes remaining. About twelve minutes into Lewis' stint the full course yellow waved again. This gave Lewis a few minutes to gather his thoughts with the ill handling #88. "The contact that Gerry unfortunately suffered has knocked the alignment way out of whack on the front and rear making the car a bit of a puzzle to drive."

Lewis was left with the impossible task of making up two laps with only 25 minutes remaining. As the green flag fell again Shane Lewis gave the Velox entry 125 percent and put down some fantastic laps with an ill handling race car.

As the checkered fell the XO Cafe Patron entry found itself positioned fourth in class. We caught up with Shane Lewis after bringing the #88 safely home and asked him his thoughts as to how the race unfolded." The team did a fantastic job this weekend. The race ending results sheet really cannot show all of the hard work that went into our effort. Of course it is a very difficult thing to get into a car that is two laps down with unknown damage and still maintain your focus and drive. But I knew what it meant for the team when we qualified on the front row. I wanted to make sure I did everything I could to make up any positions possible no matter what. I drove my personal best in that stint and that's all you can give.

I feel really bad for Jerry. He was a pin ball out there from cars and drivers that had no business driving the way they did. I was impressed by Jerry's composure through it all. He also really showed his stamina by being in the car as long as he was. That's a great team mate to have."

We then caught up with the team manager and inquired about his thoughts concerning the weekend.

"It was a great effort by the whole team, we were very happy with qualifying on the front row. We knew we had a fast car for the race.

My hat comes off to Gerry Vento and Shane Lewis for a remarkable effort all weekend and to the Velox  crew for their stellar effort and penalty free pit stops."

Velox Motorsport would like to thank all the fans and everyone at Mid-Ohio for making our first ALMS eventsuccessful and enjoyable.

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Velox Motorsport has concluded a very successful 2 day test at the Mid Ohio sports car course in   beautiful Lexington Ohio. Principal driver Jerry Vento spent most of Monday afternoon familiarizing himself with the course. Driver coach and co-driver Shane Lewis was present for both days as the team prepares for their first ALMS endurance event.

Tuesday was shortened by heavy rain in the morning. The sun finally came out and the surface dried shortly before lunch. Vento and Lewis were eager to push the #88 Porsche to its limits. After a quick shakedown on track conditions by Lewis, Vento was ready to take the wheel. The team had decided on running a simulation run where Vento was placed in the car with a full fuel load and cold tires. The Velox pilot was quick to reach solid times in changing conditions. As the 40 minute simulation continued Vento was able to bring his lap times down drastically and run a consistent pace. Upon conclusion of Vento's run, Lewis then jumped in on worn tires and a full fuel load to check on the overall balance under these circumstances.

When we asked co-driver Shane Lewis about the test he replied " We came here with the goal of getting Jerry ready for his first full ALMS event, to learn the track and get comfortable with what to expect from the race weekend. We accomplished that goal and more. I am so proud of his performance as well as the effort put forth by the team. “

As the checkered fell on the Tuesday test day, Lewis and Vento were both pleased with the overall package and are both looking forward to official practice on Thursday.

Forty minutes of pounding rain drenched Mid Ohio yesterday shortly before the track went hot. The storm left the track in a dangerous condition with ground water pooled in corners and the re-surfaced track pavement slick as ice.

After the down pour stopped, we took a rent-a-car out for a spin, and that's exactly what we did, spin, spin, spin- struggling to keep the car on the track.

Mr. Go-Shane-Go turned to me and said,  "Dude, I'm not going out here." 

Shane's advice of course was correct. He's had lots of experience here and said this was one of the more treacherous tracks in rain conditions.

We were not alone in that assessment. Out of the 4  LMP teams testing yesterday, one car went out only to immediately limp back to pit lane. In the morning hours there were more rent-a-cars than race cars on the track taking stock of the changing conditions.

However, with good track worker efforts and a few hours of sun, we were all ready to go before Noon.

I've never been to Mid-Ohio before. The track is very challenging with lots of elevation changes, banking, and tricky corners that rapidly drop off.

But the "OH NO" moments occur when you rocket thru a corner leading up a hill and go blind for a second until reaching the top only to find the track change direction. There is no substitute for experience at Mid-Ohio and that's why Shane's help is  crucial here. This is not a track you master in a few days. Having said that, we put down some competitive times in the afternoon. Our daily results will be confidential since we have fierce competition on Saturday with our peers in the GT3 class, many of whom have years of experience here.

This is my first time at Mid-Ohio and my "first" ALMS race with only two IMSA races under my belt since starting in March. 

In Saturday's race, we  share the track with much faster LMP and GT2 class entrants.

To all our supporters who have wished us well, we thank you. And to our new supporters, including the Turn 10 Crew, Shane Lewis Fan Club and Go-Shane- Go,  we welcome you strong support.

Stay Tuned.

Jerry

To the Devoted Supporters of Shane Lewis, and we are too :) who have e-mailed us since we announced Shane will join Velox Motorsport for our First ALMS race in Mid-Ohio next weekend, I have a simple message from the movie Wayne's World.

WE'RE NOT WORTHY!

Seriously, Shane brings world class experience, driving skills, professionalism and a larger than life personality that are unbeatable.

Thanks for dropping by our web site and for your support.

Jerry Vento (Owner/Driver)

http://www.veloxmotorsport.com

Comments to info@veloxmotorsport.com or click on comment below.

Velox motorsport is excited to announce its participation in the upcoming Mid Ohio Grand Prix on Aug 8th. The race will be aired live on NBC at 4pm (EST).  The venue consists of a full 2hr 45min affair that will see the XO Cafe Tequila Patron entry compete against other Porsche 997 cup cars while sharing the track with the likes of the Lemans prototypes, GT1 and GT2 cars.

Team Velox has signed sports car ace and Daytona Prototype mastermind Shane Lewis to share the driving duties with principal driver Jerry Vento. 

Vento has successfully competed in the first four rounds of the Patron GT3 Cup.  This will be the first time Shane Lewis will drive the Velox motorsport entry in competition.  Lewis has however logged many hours of testing the 997 with the team, acting as driver coach and team test pilot.  Fresh off a hot win at the Nurburgring in Germany we asked Lewis about the upcoming week "I have had alot of personal success at Mid Ohio. I want to help bring some of that success to Velox Motorsport. Jerry has improved in every Patron Challenge event and is becoming a stronger driver every time out. My primary goal is to guide him in his first full ALMS event at Mid Ohio. Together we plan on working hard and being prepared. Now don't get me wrong, I want to win and Jerry wants to win. The entire team is behind this effort 100%. But having fun is first and foremost. It's just a good thing that Jerry and the team think having fun is standing on the podium! In the end, I know every member of this team will be proud of all their hard work no matter what the results. Teaming up with Jerry and the Velox Motorsport team has been a real pleasure. Everyone here is really behind this effort and working so hard. The preparation by the team is second to none. I have been coming to the shop daily and still get excited every time I walk in the door. The car looks fantastic and I can't wait to get it on track.

The team will participate in a vigorous test early next week.  Stay tuned for upcoming news during the week.  Check the blog daily for information on testing, practice, qualifying and results. Fans can also visit the personal website of Shane Lewis at www.shanelewis.com.

  It was early morning and the temperatures were cool in Utah for race #2 of the Imsa GT3 cup.  The Velox Motorsport entry had opted for fresh rubber again for today's race, as did 99% of the field.  Looking ready for action, Vento submerges himself into the Porsche 997.  With the national anthem concluding the field rolled out onto the sandy tarmac. Vento was positioned on the outside of turn one but quickly made it know he was serious about getting through the pack.  Upon entry into the first corner Vento splits 2 competitors and blasts up the middle towards turn 2.  Setting his sights on Ainsworth, Vento late brakes into turn 5 and makes it all stick.

 Upon completion of lap 1 Vento has a pack of 5 cars closely on his tail.  Over the course of 5 laps Vento is able to stretch his lead to 3 seconds. The 2 entries of Nick Parker and Mike Ainsworth then began to work together within the draft in an attempt to reel in the Patron sponsored machine.  At the mid way point Vento has not one but 2 beautiful Starbuck sponsored entries pushing on his back bumper.

 Mistake free Vento is able to hold position, causing his competition to become impatient.  Ainsworth and Parker begin a battle amongst themselves allowing Vento to creep away as the laps count down.

 With only 2 laps to go Vento is forced to deal with the spinning car and dust cloud from John Baker. Completely blind Vento listens to radio communication from coach Shane Lewis telling him the corner and racing line is clear.  Vento reacts accordingly with his never lift approach and brings the Patron XO Cafe entry home in front of his pursuers.

 " It was great! We went into defense mode a little with leading the pack. I knew if we made one little mistake they would all capitalize and we would be faced with the huge task of re-passing them.  I enjoyed running with the Gruppe Orange entries  (Ainsworth/Parker),  everyone raced clean. " commented Vento at the team hauler.

 " What a wonderful outcome. His times were all solid and very consistent. We made some huge gains this weekend in the race craft department, not to mention a huge fan base in turn 1 here at Miller." Shane Lewis driver coach.

 " What can I say? Its storybook. Great passing on lap one. No fear there!  Just an awesome effort from Gerry and the whole team." Team manager.

 Velox Motorsport would like to send a special thanks to everyone at Miller Motorsport Park.  The facility at Miller is second to none as are the staff and fans. We hope to see you all next year !

On a warm Saturday afternoon at Miller Motorsport park in Utah the Imsa GT3 series is ready for race #1.  Gerry Vento in the number 8 Patron entry opted to start from the rear of the field after complications during qualifying.  " We have nowhere to go but up the field.  I'm looking forward to the first corner." commented Vento on the false grid.

 As the field came down to take the green,  Vento made an aggressive move towards the inside.  Upon approaching turn 1, relying heavily on the brakes,  Vento found himself capitalizing on 3 positions.  This soon became the making of a fierce dog fight between the 2 Starbuck's entries of Parker and Ainsworth.

 As the pack of 5 cars continued to swap positions back and forth, Vento was always able to retake the spots  coming into turn 5 under heavy breaking.

As the race continued there was never a cloud free lap. No matter where you looked there were cars dropping wheels off all over the circuit. Turn 15 alone had no less than 9 cars spin. With conditions worsening, tires wearing heavily and immense pressure from behind Vento falls victim to the challenging conditions.  Spinning in turn 15 Vento quickly recovers and loses only 1 position in the field bringing the car home to a very respectable finish from last place on the grid.

 "Considering the warm conditions and our grid placement we did very well overtaking 6 positions. I just wish I could see turn 1 and 5 better from the pits, that's where Gerry likes to throw it in deep. Overall a successful first race. This also solidifies a stronger grid position for tomorrow."