Tom Sheehan and Damon Racing looking
to use New Jersey’s Weekend of Thunder to erase Panic In Detroit
For
Immediate Release -
During
this weekend’s Hank Sauce - Weekend of
Thunder at New Jersey Motorsports Park, driver Tom Sheehan and Damon
Racing will be looking for big-time redemption. With the Trans-Am Series
returning to NJMP for its 3rd consecutive season, Crew Chief Jamie
Aube will have a strengthened script to adapt the #97 LTK Insulation
Technologies Chevrolet for driver Sheehan.
Bow, New Hampshire: Trans-Am competitor Tom Sheehan is
one of those individuals who can usually be found with a smile on his face.
With ‘Pork Chop’ sideburns and durable grin, the driver of the bright yellow
#97 Camaro is not too hard to locate in the paddock or on track.
"I’m a
lucky man to be doing what I love,” explains Sheehan.
Like many
of his competitors who made the effort to race the Trans-Am portion of the
Detroit Grand Prix, Sheehan will be looking for New Jersey Motorsports Park to replace unhappy memories.
“My entire
crew and I left Detroit on Sunday in a funk,” sneered
Sheehan. We had a tough weekend from the very start. But I’d never been to Detroit - never saw the track - so it was
important that we not only support the Series, but run as many laps as we could.
So, we did.
“But it
took us until race number two where we eventually found what seemed to be a
good set-up”, said Sheehan. “So I was out there cruising, logging laps to gain good
data for next season.
“As you
know, the Belle Isle Circuit is wicked tight in areas, but it’s my kind of place.
The chassis wasn’t perfect but I was able to get into a nice rhythm - precise braking
– watching my turn-in – don’t use the curbs too much; all the things necessary to
be fast. And then bang, claps Sheehan, “I made a mistake. Just that simple -
that quick, you don’t get another chance. That’s racing.
“So for
this weekend we are hungry to redeem ourselves. It would have been nice to
discover that set-up in race one. I think we would have been on pace to race with
the leaders,” He said.
With Detroit now in the Damon Racing rear view
mirror, the team is ready to attack New Jersey Motor Sports Park. With only four days to prep,
set-up and turn-around a racecar, Damon Racing utilized their 2015 Camaro to
compete at Detroit. With body parts dangling and
brakes grinding, one would think the team left the Motor City empty handed, but Sheehan
expressed otherwise.
“We did
discover something last weekend after all,” laughs Sheehan. “We learned our new
race car is way-ahead of the car we ran in Detroit. That by itself has us excited for
this weekend.
“Jamie,
Pete Potvin and I feel our new Howe Chassis Camaro (debuted at Watkins Glen) will
be ideal for this circuit. Unlike Detroit”, adds Sheehan, “I’ll also be racing
a familiar track. The Thunderbolt layout is a great course where my experience
should allow us to be competitive from the get-go.
“The power
from these Spec AEM Infinity controlled engines, in combination with the drivability
and performance of these TA2 cars is impressive. If we are able to take a
similar step forward as we did between Road Atlanta and Watkins Glen this year,
we’ll be in good shape,” concluded Sheehan.
Over the
winter, Damon Racing increased their Trans-Am Series commitment by adding a
second race car, and further improving their race shops. Counting the June 12th
New
Jersey’ race, the Bow, NH based team has now fielded a car in 17
consecutive Trans-Am TA2 events, securing (10) top-ten and (2) top-five finishes.
For relative newcomers to Professional level auto racing they should be
commended for their tenacity and results.
Sunday at 10:30
AM will be
the customary Grid-Walk for race fans to witness an anticipated 53 car field in
the SCCA Trans-Am Series alone. Look for the Damon Racing #97 in the TA2 Race
beginning at 11:30 AM Sunday June 12th - The race is scheduled
for101.25 miles, 45 laps or 75 minutes. Followed by the TA/TA3/TA4/TA5 Races at
1:45PM
For
information on becoming involved with a sponsorship and promotion with Damon Racing contact:
Driver
Connection
Rick
Raducha
Cell:
860-796-7223
Phone:
727-914-0689
rraducha@sbcglobal.net
END
.