BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE!
July 1st, 2009
It was quite a weekend to say the least for the Orion Race Team and everyone for that matter involved in the 24hrs of Lemans. The team attempted to start 3 cars but after one of the fill-in drivers no-showed, they would be forced to abandon one car later in the race.
Szabolcs Balog turned in an incredible lap in the #11 car to put The Orion Race Team on pole, over FSB Racing, with Frosty St.Clair in the #12 3rd, and Antoine de Mautor in the #13 in 5th. After the first swap the #91 of FSB had taken the lead putting a smack down on Orion in the pits. Aleksi Elomaa took over from Balog and drove the car back to front and the team never looked back from there. Until, the very last lap that is, when an engine failure in the #11 created controversy for the entire event. The #11 was towed back to the pits, crossing the start finish line before the #96 FSB car could make up the 4 plus laps it was currently sitting behind the race leaders when the car 'done blowed up'. After 4 days of reviewing replays, rules, and suggestions, the admins finally ruled The Orion Race Team the winners of the 24hrs of Lemans, 2009!
It should go without saying that this is not the way Orion wanted to win. We understand that this race will be debated for years to come on who should have actually won. Let us just say we are pleased to have competed in such a great race and appreciate all the friendships made and good times had during the weekend. Also it cannot go without saying, a huge thanks to all the drivers from Orion, and also the drivers who helped volunteer to allow us to even run, much less win the race.
Szabolcs Balog did an awesome job starting the #11, and dispite a little damage in his first stint with a lapped car, never had any other issues while driving the #11 to the win.
Frosty St.Clair started the #12 and finished the #11. He was solid the entire race never putting a wheel wrong, until the car blew up on the final lap.
Aleksi Elomaa drove the #11 twice, the first time grabbing the lead and never looking back. Aleksi's pace was surprising to most everyone outside of Orion, as he put down some blistering laps.
Antoine de Mautor started the #13, and drove the #11 later on in the weekend about as solidly as one could. He not only was very solid, but continued to get faster as the race went on including some 3:19's.
Peter Read didn't even start practicing until 5 days before the race, but that didn't slow him down. Peter helped drive all three cars over the weekend, setting blistering laps down into the low 19's.
Chris Sommerfeld took over the #12, and then helped bring the #13 home after the #12 blew up while running 2nd. His help in running the team and the car was irreplaceable, no question. Without him, the team would have struggled to finish even one car much less attempting to finish 3.
Doug Forgue probably drove more than anyone else the entire weekend, and did it well. Doug's laps were about as consistent as can be, and he also picked up more and more speed the further into the weekend we got. His help in keeping both the #12 and #13 going was unreal, he was the true iron man of the team.
Richard Crozier had a rough weekend, both in real life and on track. When he finally got home late in the night on Saturday he took over the #12 and drove it to 2nd place before losing the engine. After that, and the day Richard had before it, he decided it was best he retire to his bed.
To all of the people who participated, we thank you. None of this would have been possible with out each and every one of you!
UPDATE: Szabi added his set, so now Everybody can try it out! He used this set for the whole race, including the qualy as well!
24hrs of Lemans this weekend!
June 23rd, 2009
The Orion Race Team has been hard at work this month in prep for the 24hrs of Lemans using the GTP Mod for NR2003. Szabocs Balog has led the time sheets for the team during the preparation and hopes to have a good shot of putting one of the 3 cars the team has entered on pole! Check back this weekend for further updates on the teams progress during the event!
Watch the race using NRTV!
Download NRTV from here http://endurance.vadertrophy.
NRTV server IP: 87.127.249.50
NRTV server password: NONE
You'll need to download these into your NRTV track maps folder.
http://vadertrophy.com/
http://vadertrophy.com/
There will also be some live coverage here
mms://69.64.49.78/teste
