May 11, 2013 — Monterey, California

After a solid qualifying effort, Flying Lizard faced a long, uphill battle during the 4-hour American Le Mans Series race, including multiple incidents with other cars and significant damage to the No. 44 and No. 45 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars. Even prior to the green flag coming out for the start of the race the No. 44 was hit in the Corkscrew turn, spinning the car and damaging the right rear wheel and rear suspension, plaguing the car with handling issues which persisted through the end of the race. Through quick pit work, pit strategy, and a strong first stint by Pierre Ehret, the No. 44 was able to get back onto the lead lap, although was then collected by a spinning prototype and pushed down multiple laps where it ran through the remainder of the day. Both Pierre and co-driver Dion von Moltke ran very quick laps throughout the race despite a broken and completely ineffective rear anti-roll bar, eventually finishing in 9th position.

The No. 45 fared only slightly better, coming back from a spin on the opening laps and short stay in the gravel to regain its position on the lead lap and run their through the middle portion of the race. Drivers Seth Neiman, Spencer Pumpelly, and Nelson Canache Jr. were tracking to race with the front end of the GTC-class field but Nelson was spun by a prototype and also stuck in the gravel. The team recovered to finish three laps down in 8th position.

Thomas Blam, Chief Strategist, reflected on the weekend, saying “This was definitely a forgettable race, and despite the best efforts of the crew to fix the car each time, as well as strong efforts by all five drivers, we did score points for the championship although nowhere near as many as we would have liked. We will work hard in the break prior to our next ALMS race to find more speed and work on the transition to the more conventional tracks which we will run in the latter portion of the season.”

The team next takes to the track at the fourth round of the 2013 ALMS championship at Lime Rock Park on July 5th and 6th. The team will again field two cars, the No 44 and No 45, with driver lineups to be announced within the coming weeks.

About Flying Lizard Motorsports
Flying Lizard is based on Sonoma, California, and has competed in the American Le Mans Series for ten consecutive seasons, from 2004 to 2012 in the GT class and in 2013 in GTC. The Lizards have won two ALMS GT team championships (2008 and 2009) and have secured three ALMS GT Drivers’ championships (2008, 2009, and 2010).

Flying Lizard has also competed in the 24 Heures du Mans from 2005 through 2012, finishing third in 2005, fourth in 2006, sixth in 2008, sixth in 2011, and fourth in 2012.

Please visit the team website at www.lizardms.com and the team store at www.flyinglizardstore.com.

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