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 Shane Lewisunfortunately 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.

Gerry Vento

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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