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 JUPITER, FL – June 21, 2011 – Palm Beach Driving Club’s resident road course professional Shane Lewis returns to Germany this week to defend his 2010 victory at the largest sports car endurance race in the world – the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.
The 24 Hours Nürburgring is a touring car and GT endurance race held on the north loop of Nürburg, Germany. As one of the largest motorsports events in the world, more than 300,000 spectators watch as nearly 250 cars and 1,000 drivers compete on a course that is approximately 16 miles (25 kilometers) in length. To put the track length in perspective, one complete lap of the pace car on the Nürburgring track could take nearly one hour to complete.
As one of the primary drivers for the Götz Motorsports team, Lewis will co-pilot an Audi RS-4 Twin Turbo V8 machine. The Götz Motorsports team competes in what Lewis calls the “Super Production” Class, which is one of the most highly contested classes in the race and contains the largest entry list of all the classes competing.
“I was one of six American drivers in the field last year,” said Lewis of his 2010 victory. “The Nürburgring race is very unique - it is the longest and toughest track in the world. Some drivers spend their entire careers, learning every inch of this track. I’m honored to have been invited back by Götz Motorsports to defend our 2010 victory.”
Despite his previous experience at the German track, Lewis has been preparing for this event since last season. Lewis is physically fit and mentally prepared for the endurance race. A veteran of four Nürburgring events, Lewis knows what to expect once reaching his destination in Germany with Götz Motorsports.
“We have very little practice time before the race starts,” continued Lewis. “Last year, I made two laps during the day and then two laps at night. In addition to the limited practice time, we have a lot of pressure on us because we know what it takes to win. The competition is tougher than it has ever been and some of the best racers in the world compete this weekend. We’re ready to go back and defend our class victory.”
Even with numerous racing victories to his name, Lewis acknowledges the 2010 24 Hours of Nürburgring as one of the greatest motorsports achievements in his career.
“This is the greatest race course of all time; there is no other place like it in the world,” said Lewis. “Nürburgring will never be replicated, copied or outdone. To drive there is the single greatest experience a racer could ever have. To win there is to be among the best that has ever driven.”
Lewis will be using the power of social media to share the progress and updates from Germany. Follow Lewis on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Go_Shane_Go.
About Palm Beach Driving Club
The Palm Beach Driving Club is a private member club that offers automotive enthusiasts the unique opportunity to get on the “fast track.” The Palm Beach Driving Club operates as an affiliate of Palm Beach International Raceway. Club members have access to track sessions 52 weeks a year. These sessions offer four to eight hours of open track driving, private instruction, trackside car service and fine dining. A variety of memberships are offered from seasonal to corporate. The Palm Beach Driving Club is a member of TrackLink, a reciprocal driving program that includes privileges at six other road courses in the U.S. and Canada.
About Palm Beach International Raceway
Palm Beach International Raceway is a state-of-the-art venue and one of the most popular raceways in the country for racers and spectators alike. As a leader in its operating form and function, PBIR seeks to provide its drivers with a higher level of challenge, excellence and opportunity. PBIR boasts three completely refurbished, exceptionally designed tracks, including a high-performance road course, an all-concrete drag strip and a 7/10’s mile karting track and new karting center. The technologically superior two-mile road course features some of the fastest and most challenging corners and straight-aways offered by any track in North America. PBIR is sanctioned by the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) and is pending certification by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the governing body for many major racing events. For more information on PBIR, please visit the venue’s website at www.RacePBIR.com. |
Phone: 561.622.1400