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ALMS: Risi’s Rocky Start to Rebound in Utah?
Written by: SPEED Staff
SPEEDtv.com   
05/12/2008 - 10:13 AM
Charlotte, NC
 
The Risi team is hoping for better results and strong momentum from Utah to help in their 2008 title bid. (Photo: Marshall Pruett) ยป More Photos


Looking to steer a championship bid back onto the course they'd intended to follow and still chasing their first victory of 2008, Risi Competizione heads to Salt Lake City this weekend with both determination and optimism to find the top step of the podium. With 1/3rd of the 2008 American Le Mans championship in the books, the most surprising twist hasn't been the incredible wins by Audi on street courses or Porsche's shock win at Sebring, but rather the drought suffered by Risi's '07 driver's champions, Mika Salo and Jaime Melo.

Currently third in the American Le Mans Series GT2 Team Championship, Risi is looking to revive its bid for title success with a solid finish from either of its two Ferrari 430 GT cars. Those pushing hardest will be last year’s Drivers Champions, Jaime Melo and Mika Salo, who are looking to re-start their season after a three-race run of bad luck and misfortune. With two ALMS races now under their belt, and both drivers becoming increasingly comfortable in their new working environment, Harrison Brix and Patrick Friesacher will also be looking for an improvement in their race results.

In the two years that
the race has been held at Miller Motorsports Park, Risi Competizione has done well, winning (GT2) in 2006 and last year placing itself in a commanding position for a repeat victory before an axle failure one hour before the checkered flag. The only mechanical failure suffered by the team throughout the 2007 season, it ended a five-race winning streak for Melo and Salo.

The 3.048 mile, 15-turn circuit configuration is new for 2008 and, by taking out the center section, the track now becomes primarily a left-turn course. A combination of medium speed and long, moderately fast corners favor a stiffer set up and also suit the mid-engine cars such as the Ferrari as its weight distribution makes it more consistent throughout the corners.

One unknown factor will be the weather conditions, as they fluctuate from very hot to much cooler to rain at this time of year. The race start this year is at 1:05 pm as opposed to 5:05pm last year, so temperatures could indeed be much hotter than in the last two years.

Follow Risi's effort this weekend on SPEED. The Larry Miller Dealerships Utah Grand Prix airs Sunday, May 18th, at 3pm ET/12pm PT.
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