Robin qualified the #66 AXA/PFAFF Porsche 3^rd on the grid, starting just behind two of the factory Cadillacs with a lap time that bettered the existing track record set last season.  Both AXA/PFAFF Porsches’ had great starts and by the middle of the race, Jon had moved up to 12^th and Robin claimed 2^nd place.  Shortly after, Jon suffered an unfortunate spin and continued after a pit stop for four new tires, while Robin moved into the 1^st place on lap 23 (photo on right).

The battle for the win continued for several exciting laps, covered in great detail on TV, with Max Papis gaining ground in his Cadillac.  On the white flag lap the following happened, as reported by the Series:

It was to be a brill ian t drive for Robin Liddell in the #66 AXA Porsche (last lap notwithstanding).  After a bit of shuffling between the Top 5 during the first half of the race, and a re-start, Robin moves into 2^nd position with Jon up to 12^th (photo above) and looking for another Top 10 finish!  The crew on pit wall knows this will be a nail-biter.  Jon’s spin on lap 17, brings him into the pits for a tire change while Robin passes Angelelli’s Cadillac to move into the lead!  This moves Max Papis into 2^nd place, directly behind Robin.  Excitement mounts as they pass under the 1-lap-to-go, White Flag.  With under 60 seconds to our first win of the season, Max Papis punts Robin’s car in the rear, at the apex of Turn 6, sending him into to the concrete barrier. . . . .

The win would have put us in 1^st place in the Championship, but we now rest 3^rd in points with plenty of time to make up ground!  To catch the action on TV, be sure to tune into SPEED TV for the rebroadcast at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, April 19^th or contact your AXA representative for a DVD of the broadcast!

The Jon Groom Racing team’s next race is Mid Ohio on May 22^nd; if you can’t make the race, be sure and log onto www.world-challenge.com for all the live action!

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