The Heart of Racing Team Ready for Detroit Streets

The Heart of Racing team drivers Mario Farnbacher and Ian James are taking their momentum of top finishes to the Chevrolet Sports Car Classic Presented by Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers on Belle Isle in Detroit, May 29-30.

The Heart of Racing team is coming off of a win at Sebring in March and a third place at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca earlier in the month. Ian James (Phoenix, Ariz.) and Mario Farnbacher (Ansbach, Germany) have been able to capitalize on the tight relationship with the Alex Job Racing team to tune their Porsche for maximum results and points. The tight 2.3-mile, 13-turn circuit located in the middle of the Detroit River is a favorite for The Heart of Racing duo. They hope to improve on last year's second place finish and stand on the top step of the podium in Detroit this weekend.

"I am looking for the track to be quicker with all of the new pavement, but until we get the No. 23 Heart of Racing Porsche on track it is hard to tell if it is going to help us relative to the competition," James said. "Street circuits require a more disciplined approach as any mistakes are normally costly. Typically we approach it like any other race but leave a little in reserve until the last period of the race. The Porsche normally has good traction, which is good out of the slow speed corners. On the downside the car is a little low on downforce. We have the best team in the paddock and in every race we are a contender and I expect us to be at the front in Detroit."

Farnbacher is a big fan of street races.

"I love street circuits," Farnbacher said. "You have to be really precise and if you make one mistake you probably have a problem and you will end up in the wall. This creates more adrenaline. We race car drivers love adrenaline. Beside the track you always have a special feeling from the spectators. The fans can be closer to the track than at a typical natural terrain circuit. Walls? I don't recognize them, except if I scratch the wall with my mirror. I understand the circuit has been repaved, I am excited to see and drive on the new pavement. New pavement always creates more grip, which will affect cornering speed, create faster lap times and that will be more exciting for the drivers and the fans."

Team owner Alex Job has the team running strong.

"The team has built a really nice bond from the off season right up through the first three races," Job said. "Ian and Mario really work well together and complement one another on and off the track. They have been able to put together a string of nice finishes by winning Sebring and getting a podium at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. They may not have had the best car, but they made the best of what they had and turned it into a podium finish. That is what really counts at the end of the season."

The TUDOR United SportsCar Championship will travel to Detroit for the Chevrolet SportsCar Classic on Belle Isle, May 29-30. Follow the action on Friday with live qualifying from 5:10 p.m. to 6:10 p.m. ET at IMSA.com, The race will be televised live on FOX Sports 2, Saturday, 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and replayed on FOX Sports 1, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.

Alex Job Racing has ten Sebring victories in 2015, 2013, 2012 (one-two in GTC), 2010 (one-two-three in GTC), 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 1999 and 1995, four in a row

The TUDOR United SportsCar Championship Continental Tire Grand Prix powered by Mazda will be televised on Fox Sports 1, Sunday, May 3, starting at 4 p.m. ET. Qualifying can be viewed, May 2 at IMSA.com at 7:15 p.m. ET.

Team Seattle is accepting donations and pledges at teamseattle.com.

Contact:

kyle@kcapr.com

#TeamSeattleTheHeartofRacing #tusc