Action Express adds France to Roster for Watkins Glen Endurance Challenge
Given their memorable win in the only other endurance race in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 season, it is easy to understand why Action Express Racing is looking forward to Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen and its longer race format.
As the season reaches mid-point, the only back-to-back race weekends on the 2010 schedule present a particular challenge, with only days separating the Lime Rock and Watkins Glen events. Following their dramatic victory in the Rolex 24, the podium has proven elusive to the #9 Porsche V-8 based Riley. Following a series of mishaps in recent races, their 4th place finish at Lime Rock has renewed the team’s confidence and provided good momentum as they travel to the Glen.
Adopting the strategy followed by many Rolex Series teams, Action Express will be adding an extra driver to their lineup for the six hour endurance race. J. C. France will join the team, returning to the Rolex Series for his first race of 2010, and his first competition driving the Porsche V-8 Riley. France did get some seat time in the #9 earlier this year when he participated in a Trueman practice session with Action Express at VIR Adapting quickly, he marked his first time in the car by earning a 5th place finish in that session.
Terry Borcheller credited successful strategy for the success at Lime Rock, saying, “We didn’t roll off the truck fast, but made continual progress. Joao did a great job and taking short fuel and stickers at the end was a good call. I think we drove a smart race and that gave us the good result. I feel like I am on top of the car again, and the Lime Rock race was a good one for me, it gave me my confidence back. I love Watkins Glen - it is one of my favorite tracks and I look forward to returning. If we can get the car sorted out early, we have a good shot at winning there.” Joao Barbosa agreed with Borcheller, and also had praise for his team’s hard work, saying, “Our good result is all a credit to the Action Express team. They had excellent pit stops and they made the perfect strategy call. We didn’t have the fastest car, but they worked really hard to get us as competitive as we could be and we had our best finish since Daytona. Action Express is a good team and a really hard working team. We are also a new team, but strategy has been successful and played a big part in helping us to get a good result.
The Glen is going to be tough. It is a long race so we need to step up our game and work really hard these next few days. Fortunately, the car left Lime Rock in one piece, but we need to look at everything the next few days and see what we can do to make it a faster and more competitive car for the Six Hours.” Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen will be held on Saturday, June 5th. The race will start at 2:00 PM
ET with the first two hours covered live on SPEED TV. The broadcast will resume at 6:00 PM with coverage through the conclusion of the race.
