RFM Front Page News

SEBRING, Florida (March 17, 2004) -- It’s Sebring Week, and please say hello to one of RFM’s favorite teams, Petersen/White Lightning! Craig Stanton is starting his second straight year driving with them, along with his new driving partner, David Murry. Craig has already tasted success this year with a win in Daytona in the Grand Am Cup series. Craig and David also won their race in Homestead (in the Grand Am series) with an impressive drive in the SGS class after charging from last place. And I think you could safely say that these 2 racers are looking to take a win in the ALMS, and quickly. Could the maiden pairing for this endurance race be the charm for this duo? Please welcome Craig Stanton to the 52^nd running of 12 Hours of Sebring!

Margot Orenchuk: Craig, has Sebring been a kind track to you?

Craig Stanton: Yes, it has. It is one of my favorite tracks. I have gotten a third there and a second there. I love the fact that it is so challenging, it’s so technical and the setup is so key... that it is one of the biggest challenges I have all year. That’s what makes it very, very fun.

MO: What do you find the most challenging aspect of the track?

CS: It’s such high speed and it is so bumpy in sections that you need the car to work on slow speed tight turns, high speed, long, sweepers and there is a large section of track that is extremely bumpy and uneven. That is the great challenge; to make a car perform in all portions of the track and in all conditions.

MO: Tell us about your new RSR Porsche. What is the greatest improvement (for you) over the RS?

CS: The new Porsche RSR has better aerodynamics, a sequential gearbox and more horsepower than last year’s RS. The car has better downforce up front, a cleaner front and the air comes across the underside of the car much cleaner. The RSR also has better aerodynamics in the rear for both high speed and low speed sections. I know the suspension front and rear has been redesigned also. The whole car is the greatest improvement. The ’03 Porsche RS is such a great car. The improvements that Porsche has made for the RSR only strengthen an already awesome race car. So, I am eager to drive it to see!

MO: What do you think is the key to being the successful team at the end of a 12-hour day, to be standing on the top step in Sebring?

CS: Teamwork and paying attention to all the small details. The preparation of the car before the weekend, the setup of the car is important, pit stops, pre-game strategy and execution during the race. Every part has to be looked at and every system has to be designed to go flat out for 12 hours. If you do all of that perfectly, then you are allowed a little bit of luck. There is nobody that does it better than Petersen/ White Lightning. Dale (White), Kent (Moore) and the guys are aces at car preparation and then at executing pit stops throughout the race.

MO: Who are you looking most forward to mixing it up with Saturday?

CS: You know the Alex Job guys are always going to be tough. History will repeat itself so that those will be the guys to beat. The Racers Group is always strong. Flying Lizard is a great new team and RISI gave us some super challenges at the end last year. And there are another four or five teams which will make the GT class the most exciting classes to watch this year.

MO: Do you think the GT/GTS classes get enough respect from the LMP class?

CS: I think the LMP cars do respect us. I think the racing is so close and so competitive that we all end up occupying the same space at times. There’s always many, many races within the race and that is what makes the ALMS so spectacular to watch live or on TV.

MO: How do you change gears in your head when you drive at night? Do you have to prepare yourself in a different way to drive in the dark mentally?

CS: I turn the headlights on. It’s like your parents use to tell you: ‘There is nothing there in the dark that isn’t there in the light.’ Everything is still there the same at night as it is during the day. But, what throws me off at Sebring are some of the lights in the infield. I have to get used to where those are because they look like an oncoming car or a safety vehicle. Knowing the difference is really important for me. That’s the only real difference.

MO: Is there any “intimidation” factors racing in a prestigious event like Sebring? Does it mentally put extra pressure on you as a driver, as opposed to say, a Road America or Mosport?

CS: No. They are all very, very important. The only thing that makes it a challenge is that it is just longer sprint race. This is a 12-hour sprint race. So, to be able to be as strong on the last lap as you were on the first lap is a big challenge. You have to work to make that last stint as quick as your first. For me, there is more heritage and prestige at Sebring just because of all the great drivers of all time have raced there. So, coming to this track, more than any other track, for me, is a thrill. For me, Sebring is probably the biggest race of the year. However, Road America is becoming very fond in my heart because we won there last year with Petersen/ White Lightning. But, as far as heritage, Sebring is the granddaddy of all the sports car races in the US.”

About 2004…

“I’m grateful to have the opportunity to be back with Petersen/ White Lightning and to be a teammate with David Murry not only here in the ALMS but in the Grand-Am series. This will be a great opportunity to really find the continuity between two co-drivers. David and I have been friends for a long time and now, this year, we have already raced two races together and we already have a win under our belt. Somewhere along the way, traveling together in the two series, David and I will be able to redefine what teamwork and teammates are all about. So I see great things coming from our friendship. If you look back, some of the greatest teammates had been together for years. Most all of the team members from Petersen are coming back from 2003 so they’ll carry the momentum from last year on into this season. I am very, very optimistic. David is very optimistic and Dale and Mike are very optimistic as well. We are all looking forward to starting the year and working together.

Once again, thanks Margot for your time. Look forward to seeing you at the races. You’re definitely not a newcomer anymore to sports car racing. Great to see the site really growing.

RFM once again has to extend our most gracious thanks to Thomas A. Moore, of Darkhorse Autosport, for spending too much time assisting us. Please stay tuned to RFM for more coverage throughout the weekend of P/WL and their car and entire crew.