Slot Car Diner's 2009 slot calendar

Download the new Slot Car Diner 2009 calendar at this link: http://www.homeplanet.at/sdd/SDCalendar2009.zip

"The Gold Plated Porsche" by Stephan Wilkinson

Ever thought about owning a Porsche? Well I sure have. I'd been talking with Van LaPointe (a slot brother and contributor here on SCN) about the idea of maybe someday actually buying a Porsche (an old one for sure...high miles.. cheap, maybe a 914... you get the idea) and he suggested a book, "The Gold Plated Porsche" by Stephan Wilkinson. Consider it sort of a "Zen and the Art of Porsche Restoration" he weaves stories that may with slotters out there that have fantasies of actually a real version of the slot cars they race.

He talks about several places I've been, so right away I was intrigued and wonder if I'd ever seen him while on endless drives around the northern 'burbs in my past life as a newspaper photog. He lives in Cornwall New York, very near where I used to work in Westchester County. He's a regular at DeMan Motorsport in Nyack, New York, I've been to that shop many times, once even talking with Porsche mechanic extraordinaire and I must admit, I've stood outside the gates at the shop and fantasized the Porsches (most of them racers not just for the gold-chained type of yuppie driver) crammed inside the gates. He paints a vivid picture of working on the car... and in excruciating detail about tuning the carbs which alone I think has scared me off of ever thinking about owning a car or even restoring one because I'll be the first to admit I'm laughably unqualified to do anything that could remotely be called "restoration" on a real car. Though he sure is encouraging in the book and frequently does imply that it's possible for maybe anyone to do what he'd done. So reading about the process was sure entertaining.

I came away with a number of things from reading this book, it was sure enlightening to hear about Stephan doing all the resto work himself including the paint. A common thread throughout the book was the idea that working on the car and putting your soul into the car to bring it back to life was the more important than the perfection that might be achieved by more capable hands doing the work instead of you. In the final few pages he retells a story about Ferry Porsche being at a Porsche Club of America concours show and he's asked if, looking out at several hundred polished-and-trailered-beyond-belief Porsche's, Ferry was proud of the sight of the cars. He wasn't, he said something to the effect that his cars were meant to be driven not polished. How does that relate to slot cars, well... how many shelf queens to you have? I've often thought that a slot car on a shelf is sort of like a life unlived, and I'm certain that when Van read that passage alone it resonated with him as well.

While I cannot ever know the beauty of rebuilding the most amazing car ever built (the Porsche 911) or the thrill of even driving a Porsche, I do know about the satisfaction of building a nicely running slot car and racing it. Whether it's a car that I will ever put on the top step of the podium during a slot race doesn't matter. Is there a connection with slot cars and this book, well probably not, I appreciated the honesty of what's between the covers. I appreciated hearing about the shade tree mechanic that restored this car, drips in the paint and all. And I do think that it's a book that every slot fan out there should read.

The Gold Plated Porsche:How I Sank a Small Fortune into a Used Car, and Other Misadventures by Stephan Wilkinson. Copyright 2004, Published by The Lyons Press, Guilford Connecticut. Paperback, $14.95.

DaveK

Ninco NC1 vs. NC8 Motors

Through the generosity of Electric Dreams, a sample Ninco NC8 "Thruster" motor was obtained, in order to compare with an NC1 I had bought a few years ago. The NC8 is Ninco's currently produced motor for Ninco Classics, replacing the NC1. Although the NC1 is out of production, it is still available from some slot car suppliers, including Electric Deams. In the photo above, the NC8 is accompanied by the tattered, but healthy NC1 which had done a year's duty in a race car.

The NC8 is a short-can, or FK-130 type motor, of the same size and shape as the Plafit Fox, TSRF, and others. The case is crimped shut, preventing examination of the insides. Both ends of the shaft are accessible for oiling, but only one end is long enough to mount a pinion. Two black plastic end-mount adapters are supplied with the NC8, to permit convenient installation in motor mounts designed for the NC2, NC5, or NC6 (or any other long-can, FK-180 type motors).

Ninco's rating of the NC8 is 16,000 no-load RPM/14.8v, and 87 gcm stall torque/14.8v. This may be converted to 12 volt equivalency: 12,973 RPM/12v, and 71 gcm/12v.

Ninco's rating of the NC1 is only slightly less: 15,700 RPM/14.8v, and 74 gcm/14.8v. Conversion to 12v results in 12,730 RPM/12v, and 60 gcm/12v. I have tested approximately a dozen NC1's, with RPM measuring from 12,858 to 14,237 RPM/12v, slightly exceeding Ninco's rating.

Today's test of the new NC8 showed 13,370 RPM/12v, after a 45 minute break-in period on 6 volts, and a run of about 10 minutes on 12 volts. When the turquoise inductor (or choke) in the power lead was bypassed, RPM rose to 13,635. Some Ninco motors show the same RPM with or without the inductor, but not this motor. A full 265 RPM was lost in the inductor.

For comparison, the race-veteran NC1 was tested, with findings of 13,454 RPM/12v, probably an insignificant difference from the NC8.

Torque testing was next, using an arm-and-scale method. Nine readings were taken around a single revolution, each separated by 40 degrees, for an average of 75 gcm/12v for the NC8. When the inductor was bypassed, torque rose approximately 10 percent, with an average reading of 84 gcm. Follow-up testing of the NC1 revealed 77 gcm, showing the older motor at a slight disadvantage. Below, the nine-position torque arm (actually, a disc) is shown. The downward force on a scale is measured:



If the power output wattage is computed, following the method outlined on the Slot Car News Motor List, we find the sample NC8 is developing 2.86 Watts (without the inductor). The sample NC1 puts out 2.59 Watts. In a slot car, this may or may not make a difference you could measure in lap times. If you are contemplating up-motoring from an NC1 to an NC8, bear in mind that the NC1 weighs only 16 grams, while the NC8 tips the scales at 22 grams. What you gain in power with the NC8, you may lose due to the extra six grams of weight.

Nevertheless, the NC8 is a worthy successor to the NC1, filling a low-power performance niche favored by many vintage slot car racers. The RPM, torque, and power output of the NC8 are so close to the older NC1 that fair competition may be expected.

Extended - Super Deal on Super Wheels!!

The Super Deal on Super Wheels (see below) has been extended until Jan. 31, 2009!! For those of you who have already taken advantage of the Super Deal, here's a chance to stock up (we also want to thank you for helping to make Super Wheels so successful). If you haven't taken advantage of this special offer, here's your (last) chance!

Here's how the Super Deal offer works. Purchase two (2) pairs of Super Wheels for just $14.99 USD!! Thats almost $5.00 USD off the normal retail price!! Your choice - 2 pairs of 17x10mm's OR 2 pairs of 15x8mm's OR 1 pair each of 17x10's and 15x8's!! For more information or to place an order, please click here. Remember, beginning on Feb. 1, 2009, the price for Super Wheels will be $9.99 USD/pair.

Seat 131 video

If that doesn't make you want to take a slot car out and try and drift it around you track nothing will...LOL!

Ultimate Racer 3 available for download

A new release of ur3 is available for download at this link.

New features

Track layout editor:

• UR30 localization with external text file
• editor GUI simplified with full toolbar usage
• 2D track section display enhancement
• add 4/6/8 lane track sections - automatically generated
• zoom dialogue enhancement
• manage library include directive to merge track section libraries
• manage pictures as libraries
• 2 lane circuit gap suppressor
• new editor tools: center view, mirror circuit, left/right borders, circuit snapshot, border track operation button..
• new Carrera D132 library, Ninco library updated
• library includes to split libs
• new multi lane and dummy red/white libraries

Race management:

• count down start lights
• joystick interface
• UR30 localization with external text file
• simplify external device management - automatic hardware enabling/disabling
• link with Zone Trigger
• even start
• reaction time management
• "large" view selection buttons

Grand-Am Test Days at Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 1, 2009) - Teams from the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 will get a head start on the 2009 season Jan. 3-5 with three days of testing at Daytona International Speedway.

Known as the "Roar before the Rolex 24," the session is the lone scheduled testing at the speedway prior to the 47th running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona, Jan. 24-25. All three days of the session are open to the public for $10 admission, which includes access to the infield, Sprint FANZONE and garage. Saturday's session also includes fan forums, including drivers from GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing, TELMEX Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, Banner Racing and Hyper Sport.

Saturday's schedule opens with Rolex Series practice at 9 a.m., and includes night practice running through 8 p.m. Sunday's schedule runs from 9 a.m. through 5 p.m., with Monday's activities running from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. The Grand-Am KONI Sports Car Challenge will also test all three days in preparation for its Jan. 23 season-opening Fresh From Florida 200 at Daytona.

Nearly 50 entries have been received for the test, which will feature 19 Daytona Prototypes and 29 GT entries.

TELMEX Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates will have a pair of Lexus-powered Rileys in preparation for a potential fourth consecutive victory in the Rolex 24 At Daytona, including the No. 01 of defending series champions Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas.

Five-time Rolex 24 At Daytona winner Hurley Haywood is part of a two-car Brumos Racing entry, with Michael Shank Racing, Penske Racing and Krohn Racing also entering two cars. Other entries include 2007 co-champions Alex Gurney and Jon Fogarty for GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing, with three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson set to join them for the Rolex 24; 2005 Rolex 24 winners and series champions Max Angelelli and Wayne Taylor; 1995 Rolex 24 winner Christophe Bouchot, for Level Five Motorsports; Childress-Howard Motorsports, making its Rolex 24 debut with three-time event winner Andy Wallace; and Spirit of Daytona Racing, featuring motorcycle champions Scott Russell, Jeff Ward and Jason Pridmore.

Several of the teams, including Ganassi, Penske and Shank, are also expected to announce their Rolex 24 driver lineups at the test.

TRG and Farnbacher Loles Racing both have five Porsche GT3s entered in the test to head the GT lineup. Defending Rolex 24 class winner SpeedSource will have a pair of Mazda RX-8s, while 2008 champions Kelly Collins and Paul Edwards share the No. 07 Banner Racing Pontiac GXP.R with Jan Magnussen.

The GT entry also includes three Corvettes and a pair of Ferrari 430s.

For additional information, including the complete entry list for the Daytona Test Days, please visit www.grand-am.com.

Corvette committed to GT1... or maybe GT2

Corvette Racing program manager Doug Fehan is quick to reconfirm Corvette Racing's GT1 program in the first half of the 2009 American Le Mans Series.

"The primary focus of the race team is the 12 Hours of Sebring, Long Beach and, of course as it always has been, the 24 Hours of Le Mans," Fehan said. "We tested the GT1 car at Sebring in November. And we will be utilizing Sebring and Long Beach to put the final touches on the Le Mans effort. We're continuously developing the car and package for fuel mileage, efficiency and new materials from our various suppliers. We want our last GT1 appearance at Le Mans to be successful. The team understands the importance of a victory at Sebring, Long Beach and Le Mans to close the GT1 program."

The highly anticipated GT2 Corvette is still scheduled to debut at Mid-Ohio in early August, Fehan added.

"Engineering and fabrication continues to focus on the GT2 program," he said. "We expect the first actual race car to be completed in early February and will be testing that car in the spring."

News used with permission from the America LeMans Series

Happy New Year!

Slot Car News is entering the fourth year of publication. Since the site went live in May 2006 there have been 1695 posts and over 812,000 page views. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this website and especially for those that check in from time to time here. Happy New Year!
Thanks!
Dave Kennedy
Publisher, Slot Car News

Honda WTCC's - gallery of photos

See a gallery of photos of the SCX Honda WTCC's at this link.

Ferrari FXX

Ferrari FXX slot car photos at this link on SCXWorldWide.com.

Goodwood video... drifting, classic style!

New Testors Saleen and Viper models

The "Easy Press Fit " of our Quick Build Models means there is no glue involved. All the fun of modeling with none of the mess. Build a model in less than 15 minutes. Spend more time customizing your masterpiece with decals, paint brushes, and non- toxic- water wash-up acrylic paints all included! Rad Rides of the Road includes TWO 1:32 scale models---the Dodge Viper GTS-R and the Saleen S7, 6 bottles of acrylic paints, 3 different sized paint brushes, decals and a mixing tray. Order Now!

* 1:32 scale
* 15-30 pieces
* Assembles in 15 minutes or less

USD$ 22.99

Audi R15?

Photos today of what might be the Audi R15 that will try to do battle with the Peugeot 908HDi at LeMans this year.

Christmas day

Not slot car related but a favorite song of mine. All the best to all the nearly 800,000 slotters around the world who look in from time to time on Slot Car News.

From YouTube:
From the award-winning documentary, "Playing For Change: Peace Through Music", comes the first of many "songs around the world" being released independently. Featured is a cover of the Ben E. King classic by musicians around the world adding their part to the song as it travelled the globe. This and other songs such as "One Love" will be released as digital downloads soon; followed by the film soundtrack and DVD early next year.

Sign up at www.playingforchange.com for updates and exclusive content available only to those who...

Join the Movement to help build schools, connect students, and inspire communities in need through music

Christmas cards

Spirit 936's compared

Napaslot is showing a number of photos showing the differences between the older short tail 936 and the new long tail 936. See all the photos at this link.

Slot MiniAuto No.51-SCX MotoGP's, Carrera R8, Slot It F40

New Difalco Design 30 band controller

Racers, I wanted you to be the first to know that we have a new controller design!

The 4 attachments above show the information on our latest controller design for 1/24,H.O. and 1/32 Homeset controllers and modules. The one PDF file (not great quality) shows the front circuit board layout. All this info and pictures should be on our website very soon! Upgrade kits for your older Difalco Controller will be ready in a week. Controllers and modules will be ready shortly after that.


"E"MOTION 3 HD30 DESIGN OVERVIEW:

*30 bands will give scale racers more control.

*Optional plug in Network Resistor PCB will still allow racers to tune each band of the controller. We consider this feature more important then higher band count with no ability to tune each band!

* Compatibility with all older designs. Upgrade to new technology!

SERVICE WORK: Yes, we will be doing upgrade work! You can purchase the upgrade kit direct from us or your local raceway and do the installation yourself. You can also send us your controller and we will install and do a complete tune up. The tune up includes cleaning all contacts, new oilites if needed and complete adjustment so you controller feels like new.

SERVICE COST: upgrade service will be $94 which will include an all new HD30 PCB, labor and return shipping in the 48 states. If you have a very old 10 band or a 15 band with a range switch design you may need to have the sensitivity rheostat upgraded to a 50 ohm. Contact Jim by email before you send in controller for work for a time estimate and any special options like a mush button ($15 installed price). We will also be offering ball bearings at a installed price of $20. We have a special installation process that keeps the ball bearings from moving around in the trigger!

UPGRADE KIT: You can purchase our upgrade kit and do the work yourself (it is pretty simple) direct from us or your local raceway or mail order source. Please include $5 shipping when ordering direct from Difalco Design.

THANK YOU FOR BEING A DIFALCO DESIGN CUSTOMER! I am celebrating 40 years in slot racing in 2009 as a racer and manufacturer and I want to thank everyone I have met or talked to for their support over the years.

Jim Difalco
Difalco Design

Difalco Design New Products

Difalco Design HD30 controllers, modules and upgrade PCB.

New Hi Definition 30 band wiper design.


“E”MOTION3 FEATURES

* 30 band high definition design gives excellent control for scale type or wing car racing.
* Miniature plug in resistor network circuit board allows one controller to be tuned for any scale from a 16d Nascar to 1/24 Eurosport to the fastest 1/24 wing car to 1/32 homeset or H.O. car.
* Conversion modules for Parma Turbo frames or our D.I.Y. Frame kit offer a low cost alternative.
* Design is compatible with all older Difalco 10 and 15 band designs so racers can buy just the PCB (printed circuit board) and upgrade their controller very inexpensively (see page 2).

1/24 HD30 CONTROLLERS

DD250-HD30: The same overall construction as our current controllers. Economy brake rheostat gives great control for scale cars at a great price. Comes standard with a 148 ohm HD30 network (medium response) installed which is best for 16d and G12 motors. Positive polarity (easily converted to neg. polarity). $252

DD251-HD30: Upgraded Pro brake rheostat with new 3 ohm resistance for wider range for scale racing. Full power relay. Comes standard with 148 ohm HD30 network (medium response) installed which is best suited for 16d and G12 motors. Positive polarity (easily converted to neg. polarity). $318

DD252-HD30: Upgraded Pro brake rheostat with new 3 ohm resistance for wider range for scale racing. Full power relay. Comes standard with 148 ohm HD30 network (medium response) installed which is best suited for 16d and G12 motors. Comes with dual polarity. $342

1/24 HD30 MODULES

These electronic modules are an inexpensive way to convert your Parma turbo controller to a full function electronic controller. Save about $120 compared to our complete factory model. Text with drawings included for assembly. The kits can also be mounted on our DD242 D.I.Y. Frame and wire kit ($32) so you can build our factory controller from scratch. We also have available 4 other module kits priced from $89 to $154.

DD253-HD30: Conversion module with economy rheostat. Standard 148 ohm network. An inexpensive way to get our 30 band design! $124

DD254-HD30: Conversion module with 3 ohm pro rheostat. Standard 148 ohm network. $162


1/24 HD30 RESISTOR NETWORKS

Miniature plug in circuit board allows racer to change the overall band resistance to best suit the type of motor being used. The higher the listed ohms the slower the band response and the lower the listed ohms the faster the band
response. The standard networks are soldered and ready to install and have the same value resistance per band. The custom networks have miniature sockets and various values of resistors that can be mixed and matched to get the desired band response. All controllers and modules come standard with a 148 ohm network.
(As a comparison our 15 band Fanatic controllers have 150 ohms of total resistance)

(Note: the network resistance shown, 180 ohms for example, is the resistance needed to control our transistor circuit and should not be confused with the ohms rating on a typical Parma type resistor)

DD255: Standard Resistor Network. 180 ohm, slower response for flat track scale racing. $17

DD256: Standard Resistor Network. 113 ohm, faster response for 16d, G12, G15 and G20 motors. $17

DD257: Standard Resistor Network. 78 ohm, very fast response for G15, G20, G27 and G7 type motors. $17

DD258: Custom Resistor Network. Slow response. 33 each of 3 different value resistances let you customize response for scale racing. 136,162 and 192 ohms of total resistance if the same value is used per band. You can also mix and match resistors to best suit your track and driving style. $25

DD259: Custom Resistor Network. Faster response. 33 each of 3 different value resistances let you customize response for higher speed tracks and motors. 87,113 and 136 ohms of total resistance if the same value is used per band or you can mix and match response to best suit your track and driving style. $25

DD260: Custom Resistor Network. Very Fast response. 33 each of 3 different value resistances for customized response for high power G15,G20, G27 and G7 motors. 64,87 and 113 ohms of total resistance if the same value is used per band. You can also mix and match to best suit your track and driving style. $25

*Resistor networks for 1/32 and H.O. racing are also available. Please check website.


1/24 HD30 UPGRADE PCB

UPGRADE YOUR OLDER CONTROLLER OR MODULE KIT!

DD261: HD30 Upgrade PCB: Convert your 10 or 15 band Pro Plus or Fanatic controller to our new 30 band high definition design. You get the HD30 circuit board with a standard 148 ohm network board installed. Simply unsolder a few wires and remove the old PCB. Transfer the original brake and sensitivity rheostats over to the new HD30 board. Now bolt the PCB to the frame and solder a few wires to their correct positions. Simple instructions included. $56

1/24 FANATIC UPGRADE PCB

DD243: Fanatic Upgrade PCB: Convert your 10 band Pro Plus or Fanatic controller to our 15 band Fanatic module. Pots are already soldered to our 15 band Fanatic board. Our 15 band Fanatic circuit board gives you the convenience of instantly adjustable sensitivity on each controller band. 150 ohm total resistance gives you a wider range then the standard 113 ohms on our Pro Plus controllers. Simple instructions included. $39

DD244: Fanatic Upgrade Pots. Kit includes 15) 10 ohm Fanatic pots to convert your 15 band Pro plus controller to a Fanatic model. Unsolder and remove the individual resistors and solder the new Fanatic pots in place. $22

DD245: Fanatic Upgrade Pots. Kit includes 15) 20 ohm Fanatic pots to convert your 15 band Pro plus controller to a Fanatic model. 20 ohm pots give a very slow response for 1/24 scale racing and will also run H.O. and 1/32 Homeset type cars. Unsolder and remove the individual resistors and solder the new Fanatic pots in place. $22

H.O. HD30 CONTROLLERS

DD521-HD30: The same overall construction as our current controllers. 100 ohm brake rheostat. Comes standard with a 290 ohm resistor network. Brake/coast switch and dual polarity. $258

DD531-HD30: All the features of the DD521 with our adjustable choke rheostat installed. $288


H.O. HD30 UPGRADE PCB

DD553: HD30 Upgrade PCB: (This upgrade kit is for any model without a choke) Convert your DD515 or DD525 10 or 15 band Pro Plus or Fanatic H.O. controller to our new 30 band high definition design. You get the HD30 circuit board with a standard 290 ohm resistor network board installed. Simply unsolder a few wires and remove the old PCB. Transfer the original brake and sensitivity rheostats over to the new HD30 board. Now bolt the PCB to the frame and solder a few wires to their correct positions. Simple instructions included. $56

DD554: HD30 Upgrade PCB: (This upgrade kit is for any model with a choke) Convert your DD520 or DD530 10 or 15 band Pro Plus or Fanatic H.O. controller to our new 30 band high definition design. You get the HD30 circuit board with a standard 290 ohm resistor network board installed. Simply unsolder a few wires and remove the old PCB. Transfer the original brake and sensitivity rheostats over to the new HD30 board. Now bolt the PCB to the frame and solder a few wires to their correct positions. Simple instructions included. $56

DD555: Fanatic Upgrade Pots. Kit includes 15) 20 ohm Fanatic pots to convert your 15 band Pro plus controller to
a Fanatic model. Adjustable pots allow you to tune each band for total control of your band sensitivity. Unsolder and remove the individual resistors and solder the new Fanatic pots in place. $22


1/32 HD30 CONTROLLERS

DD302-HD30: The same construction as our current 1/32 controllers. 25 ohm brake. Comes standard with a 290 ohm resistor network. Super lightweight 1.25” x 1” x 3/4” heatsink. Upgraded with heavier 10 ga. main wires. $224

1/32 HD30 UPGRADE PCB

DD553: HD30 Upgrade PCB: Convert your DD300 or DD301 15 band 1/32 controller to our new 30 band high
definition design. You get the HD30 circuit board with a standard 290 ohm resistor network board installed. Simply unsolder a few wires and remove the old PCB. Transfer the original brake and sensitivity rheostats over to the new HD30 board. Now bolt the PCB to the frame and solder a few wires to their correct positions. Simple instructions
included. $56


H.O. & 1/32 HD30 RESISTOR NETWORKS

Miniature plug in circuit board allows racer to change the overall band resistance to best suit the type of motor being used. The higher the listed ohms the slower the band response and the lower the listed ohms the faster the band
response. The standard networks are soldered and ready to install and have the same value resistance per band. The custom networks have miniature sockets and various values of resistors that can be mixed and matched to get the desired band response. All H.O. and 1/32 controllers come standard with a 290 ohm network. (As a comparison our 15 band Fanatic controllers have 300 ohms of total resistance)

(Note: the network resistance, 290 ohms for example, is the resistance needed to control our
transistor circuit and should not be confused with the ohms rating on a typical Parma type resistor)

At this time we have not decided on the values and number of Standard and Custom
Resistor Networks we will be offering. These parts and information should be available by mid January.

A pair of Flying Lizards for 2009

Finally some good racing news to report:

Flying Lizard Motorsports, the 2008 American Le Mans Series GT2 team champions, announced today its 2009 racing program. The Sonoma, California-based team will field two 2009 911 GT3 RSR Porsches in the GT2 class -- the No. 45 and No. 44 -- for the complete 2009 ALMS season.

Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) will return to Flying Lizard in 2009 for his third consecutive season to defend his and the team's 2008 championships. He will be joined in the No. 45 by Patrick Long (USA). In the No. 44, Seth Neiman (USA) will return with co-drivers Darren Law (USA) and Johannes van Overbeek (USA).

2009 will be the third season that Bergmeister and Long have competed together as a team. Two of the top Porsche drivers in the world, together they won back to back ALMS GT2 championships in 2005 and 2006, a total of eight ALMS GT2 races, and won in GT2 at the 2004 24 Heures du Mans (with Sascha Maassen). Bergmeister and Long are again both Porsche Works drivers for the 2009 season. For complete driver biographies, see www.lizardms.com.

Flying Lizard team management for 2009 includes: Seth Neiman, team principal; Tommy Sadler, crew chief and co-technical director; Craig Watkins, chief engineer; Stefan Pfeiffer engineer, No. 45 Porsche and co-technical director; Thomas Blam, chief strategist; Eric Ingraham, team manager and No. 44 Porsche strategist; Jennifer Hart, team marketing; and Paul Pillitteri, team merchandising.

Neiman looks forward to a competitive season: "Flying Lizard is excited and energized to be back with the series for our sixth consecutive year. Our goal this year is to defend our team and drivers' championships. Everything we've done since the day after celebrating at Laguna Seca has been focused on that goal. With 2009 likely to be a step up from the already intense competition of last season, it is going to be a very tough and challenging effort. The fans should be in for a real treat."

Flying Lizard expects to receive its two new 2009 Porsche 911 GT3 RSRs in early January and plans to attend the American Le Mans Series Winter Test in Sebring, Florida in late January. Flying Lizard will announce additional program details in early 2009.

For more on the team, see www.lizardms.com.