Flying Lizard Experiences Podium High at Road America

Flying Lizard Experiences Podium High at Road America

ELKHART LAKE, Wis., (August 22, 2022) – Though the results may not tell the full story of the race weekend, Flying Lizard Motorsports experienced a weekend full of highs with a podium finish combined with some frustrations at Road America. Despite the unpredictable nature of racing, the program continued to make considerable gains, with drivers Elias Sabo and Andy Lee qualifying and racing up front in the Aston Martin Vantage GT4, earning a podium finish in Pirelli GT4 America. The team’s GT America effort showed strong pace and almost had their first victory in the series.

“Road America is a tough track and always produces great racing,” said Program Manager Darren Law. “I feel like I say this often, but I am so proud of this team and the progress Elias and Andy have had this season. We are a consistent front runner, qualifying well and racing for wins every weekend. Elias is really coming along in his driving with the help of Andy Lee. We were on the podium again this weekend and almost had the win. We have great momentum heading into the next round, and I can’t wait for Sebring.”

GT America Race One

On Saturday morning, Elias Sabo and the No. 8 Aston Martin Vantage started tenth in the GT4 class and 24th overall. Several cars spun on the start in turn one, and Sabo expertly avoided any incident as the race stayed green. Sabo climbed up several overall positions to battle with the No. 67 Toyota Supra of Jose Dasilva for eighth position. With 32 minutes remaining in the 40-minute race, a full-course caution interrupted the racing. The No. 8 Aston Martin Vantage restarted from seventh and made an exciting pass on the inside of the carousel on the No. 016 Toyota Supra of Seth Lucas. In the end, Sabo had a great drive and made up several positions to finish a strong sixth in class, and 11th overall, setting the second-fastest lap of the race.

GT America Race Two

Sabo started race two from the front row, with his best starting position of the season. He took the green flag in second place and slid into third in the opening lap after a brief side-by-side battle with Seth Lucas. Sabo wisely held third place and continued for the next several laps locked in a battle with multiple cars. With good performance from the Aston Martin and increasing skill in his understanding of race craft he emerged from the battle in second place in class behind Lucas in the Toyota Supra. A lengthy full course caution interrupted the racing and brought the field back together for the restart. The green flag racing was short-lived, as two separate incidents brought out a full course caution, and then an early checkered flag. In the confusion Sabo passed Lucas for the lead under caution, resulting in a post-race penalty. The penalty moved Sabo back to eighth in class, a frustrating result after such a well-driven race.

GT4 America Race One

On Saturday afternoon, Sabo started his second race of the weekend from eighth in class under overcast skies. Though rain was originally in the forecast for the 60-minute race, the forecasted storm cell dissipated, and the event ran uninterrupted. Sabo had a relatively quiet stint as the field spread out, gaining one position before pitting at the halfway point for Lee to take over and run his mandatory stint. Andy Lee took over the driving duties in seventh in the Pro/Am class with 26 minutes remaining. He strategically climbed up through the field, moving into fourth place after a smooth pass on the No. 52 BMW of John Capestro-Dubets. Lee’s charge to the front was then hindered by a slower Silver-class car ahead. Though the Silver car lacked the overall pace, it carried speed in the right places, prohibiting Lee from getting by. A full course yellow brought out an early checkered flag, and the pairing of Elias Sabo and Andy Lee showed good speed, being able to gain several positions in the race and finished fourth.

GT4 America Race Two

Eager to get back to racing, Andy Lee was ready to go for Sunday’s second and final race of the weekend. He started the race from fourth place overall and third in class. He had a strong first stint and had a feisty battle with Terry Borchellor in the No. 20 Toyota Supra during the opening laps. He slipped to fourth in class, staying close on the tail of Elliot Skeer in the No. 120 Porsche. Lee closed out his stint in fourth place, and Sabo took over during the mandatory pit stop. The team’s speedy work in pit lane brought the Flying Lizard Aston Martin out of pit lane ahead of the Porsche, allowing Sabo to pull ahead and contend for additional podium positions. Diving in turn five on the No. 68 of Todd Coleman, Sabo made the pass for second place and pulled away to charge at the leader, Bryan Putt. He made a spectacular pass for the lead on the front straight, but went wide entering turn one, giving the lead back to Putt. Still invigorated, Sabo was ready to fight for the lead again, but a full course caution ended the race early, resulting in a second-place finish. After a string of third-place finishes, Sabo, Lee, and team gladly celebrated the better result, motivated now more than ever to claim the top spot in the remaining four races of the season.

Elias Sabo: "Road America is an outstanding venue and one of my favorite tracks to race. We had another strong weekend and had our best finish of the year on Sunday. The FLM team continues to deliver us the best car in the paddock. We are looking forward to Sebring."

Andy Lee: "The team took another step forward and a lot of that is thanks to Elias' growth as a driver. He really stepped it up to another level and his race craft has improved tremendously. In Sunday’s race, I was stuck around fifth place the whole time and he kind of saved us. Along with our data guy Ken, he had the pass of the week. He got us ahead of the Adelson/Skeer Porsche just with picture-perfect timing on our pitstop. Great team effort all the way around."

The pair of championships next race at Sebring International Raceway, September 23-25.

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