For Team Sahlen, their 2019 race season ends just like it did in 2018, at Sebring International Raceway, competing in the Tire Rack – ChampCar Endurance Series New Year’s Eve Celebration event.
At last year’s event, Team Sahlen competed with their venerable rotary rocket Mazda RX7s. The Team had success, securing the Class B Victory and 7th overall during Saturday’s event. Sunday was not so kind as both the Mazdas retired with mechanical issues. At this event last year, Team Sahlen had also entered their EC classed “Salt” Porsche Cayman. This venture was a success as not only did “Salt” secure 1st in the EC Class in Saturday and Sunday’s races, but the team gained valuable experience and knowledge leading into the 2019 Tire Rack – Champ Car Endurance Series season.
Joe Sahlen shared his thoughts from last year’s Sebring event – “Last year was so much fun. The skies were beautiful, and the racing was fun. We entered the Porsche Cayman last year with the specific focus to better understand the dynamics of the Porsche as it fit into the ChampCar series. It was after this race that we decided to build 2 brand new Porsche Boxsters for the series.”
The 1st Team Sahlen Porsche Boxster – #942 “Ketchup”, made the debut at the Memorial Day weekend – Sahlen’s Champyard DOG at the Glen. The event was a resounding success, as the Stuttgart racer ran without a hitch the entire weekend, to a 4th and 3rd place finish respectively in the Sat/Sun enduros.
The next out was the grueling Nelson Ledges 24 hours. At this event, Team Sahlen focused on setting a very steady pace, that would allow the Boxster to make it to the end of the race. This strategy was successful, as the team only spent and extra 1 minute and 30 seconds on pit lane the entire race, enroute to the Victory at this 39 year old event.
Most recently the team raced with the Tire Rack – ChampCar Endurance Series event at Pittsburgh International Raceway Complex. This event marked the debut of the team’s 2nd Porsche Boxster – #943 “Mustard”. Another successful outing saw the team secure 3rd Overall on Saturday and then improve to a 2nd and 3rd place on Sunday.
Now the team is ready to finish off the 2019 race season on a high note, racing under sunny Florida skies, racing hard and hopefully competing with the front runners in the series.
Joe Nonnamaker shared his thoughts coming into the weekend – “After several races in the Boxsters, I am really starting to get comfortable in the car. I am excited to get back to Sebring. It truly is one of the classic courses in not only North America, but the entire world. And to think that we get to race on this track just as the New Year rolls in.”
January 27th – Friday will be an unofficial test day at Sebring for Team Sahlen. Then on January 28th – Saturday, the race will go green at 9 am, with the conclusion of the 7 hour race at 4 pm. Sunday will be duplicate of Saturday with the one addition of an awards ceremony at 5 pm
2019 Team Sahlen Campaign Partners
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