February 6, 2003

Chad completes first test with Dyson Racing at Sebring

This past weekend Chad made his first laps in the Dyson Racing #20 Thetford/Norcold entry. The weather was nice over the two days in which Chad turned about 55-60 laps in the MG Lola EX257 around the 3.7 mile bumpy airport circuit of Sebring International Raceway.

Over the course of the two days Chad's laptimes were on par with his teammates James Weaver, Butch Leitzinger, and Chris Dyson. While Chad and Chris Dyson worked on a comfortable race set-up in the #20 car, James and Butch concentrated on some shock and spring combinations in search of a quicker qualifying setup. Both cars turned in some impressive laptimes with which Chad is confident will place the team in good shape for the race in March.

"It was an excellent first test with the team, we gelled very well immediately. My personal times were on par with the guys in the sixteen car which made me happy. Chris and I worked extremely well together, as did Pat Smith and I. I think the big guys (lmp 900's) will have something to worry about come March." (Chad B.)

Rob Dyson had this to say about his new recruit.

"Chad did an excellent job, his times were right on, and he really worked great with the guys...he represented the Dyson family very well."

Both cars conducted some Goodyear tire tests in preparation for the March race where the weather will probably be quite a bit warmer than it was over the process of the two day test.

"It was warm, especially compared to Pennsylvania, but not as warm as it will be in march. I had a chance to do an extended run and our laptimes stayed within the same 2 or 3 tenths of a second and spot on with last years race pace. Butch did the same in the #16 car, so we are right there. It should be a great race." (Chad B.)

The team returns to Sebring around March 9th to participate in the open test days leading up to the race weekend on the 15th. The team is optimistic that it will be a great race for their MG Lola's.