SONOMA, Calif., – The Pirelli GT4 America series heads to Portland International Raceway this weekend and Flying Lizard Motorsports will return to the track with Michael Dinan, Robby Foley, and their Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport. The duo took an eight week break from competition following a shoulder fracture that sidelined Dinan from Canadian Tire Motorsports Park and Sonoma Raceway.
“We’re thrilled Michael’s recovery is complete and that he can get back to racing,” said Program Manager Darren Law. “The pair have earned two podiums and one top five finish so far this year, and we’re looking forward to getting their season going again.”
The Format
The Portland International Raceway Rose Cup Races will feature two SprintX races, where Dinan and Foley will each drive the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport. The pair will share the two practice sessions before both will get a chance to qualify for one of the weekend’s two races. The driver will start the race he qualified for, then pit during the mandatory 10 minute window during the race to let the second driver finish the event. The races will run for 60 minutes, with one pit stop required. Teams will not be allowed to change tires or add fuel to the car.
The Drivers
Michael Dinan and Robby Foley have proven to be a strong pairing in the SprintX championship, following their double podium debut at the Circuit of the Americas season opener. While the pair have had to sit out of two races following Dinan’s shoulder injury, they sit fifth in the SprintX Pro-Am points battle, only ten points away from the fourth place position. With three top five finishes in their three races together, Dinan and Foley have proven themselves to be a fair match for the competition.
The Track
Portland International Raceway has a different history than most race tracks on the 2018 schedule. The city of Vanport, Oregon was built in World War II, and became Oregon’s second largest city. Home to 400,000 people, a flood in 1948 completely destroyed Vanport, leaving the site to be abandoned until 1960 when the city of Portland purchased the land. A year later, the first Rose Cup race was held, and has now become an annual tradition.
The Lizards first returned to Portland International Raceway in 2018, where the team earned a third place finish with driver Mike Hedlund. The team has earned a total of three podiums previously at Portland International Raceway, the first being in the team’s maiden venture at the track in 2004 with Johannes van Overbeek and Darren Law’s second place finish.
The Engineering: From Team Engineer Jim Bell
Although we did some testing previously at Portland International Raceway earlier this year, it was in the rain and with a different car, so we’re not sure just yet what the grip will be like when we arrive this week. We have some data based off of that test, so we still have something to go on.
Portland International Raceway is a 12-turn, mid-speed track with two heavy braking locations. It’s those two braking areas you have to be careful for. We’ll have to take care of the stability of the platform under braking. It’s the braking in turn ten and going into one that will be the heaviest, as well as the best places to take advantage while you can. This regulates the way you have to tune the car and get the grip. It’s going to be a hot weekend and grip is what we’ll be chasing.
Tune-In
Live timing for all sessions will be available via the TSL landing page, with results posted immediately following the conclusion of each session. Both races will stream live on the GT World YouTube page beginning Saturday, July 13 at 2:15PM PDT, and Sunday, July 14 at 1:55PM PDT. The Portland International Raceway Rose Cup Races will air on CBS Sports Network on July 28 at 4:00PM Eastern and again at 8:30PM
_____
About Flying Lizard Motorsports
Based out of Sonoma, California, Flying Lizard Motorsports is one of the most iconic sports car teams in motorsports, having celebrated six driver and team championships, as well as competed internationally at the 24 Hours of Le Mans eight times. The team currently races in Pirelli World Challenge, Porsche Pirelli GT3 Cup Trophy USA, and Porsche Club of America.
The Lizards burst on the American Le Mans Series scene in 2004, competing in the GT class until 2012. In 2013, the team moved to the GTC class, still competing in legendary events such as the 12 Hours of Sebring and 24 Hours of Daytona. In 2014, the team expanded its program to include running two Audi R8 LMS in the TUDOR Championship, and in 2015, again expanded the program to include two Porsches in Porsche Club racing. Flying Lizard closed out the season with a dominating win at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill with Toyo Tires, a win they repeated in 2016, 2017, and 2018. For more information, visit lizardms.com. Flying Lizard Motorsports has proven to be a championship contender no matter the race series or race car.