Considering the short time available to prep the cars for Sebring, it was a strong effort by the team to have one car finishing strongly, having made up eight places from the start.

Racing in the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) Speed GT World Challenge series last Friday (10th March), the two superbly turned-out white, red and blue Aston Martin DBRS9s qualified low down the field and British professional driver Johnny Mowlem (car #44) was due for an epic drive through the field had not gear-linkage problems cut his race short after just a couple of laps.

However, Tom Papadopoulos (car #43,) who started 23rd on the grid had a solid race finishing in 15th position with a very consistent run. This proved the potential of the Aston Martin DBRS9 for the coming races.

Having not run the cars before this race weekend, the team has learnt a lot about the challenges they have, and see many ways of improving the package for the coming races.



Barry Wagner, Crew Chief for Autosport Designs Racing said: "Having received these two cars only 10 days before the start of practice for this race and having to modify the cars to the series specifications, I am quite pleased with the progress that we have made. St Petersburg represents another sort of challenge, one that we will be better prepared for."

Both Tom and Johnny recognise the efforts that have gone into getting these two cars to the grid here at Sebring and are looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of the DBRS9 at St. Petersburg on April 2nd. It is felt that the street circuit will suit both drivers’ styles and the characteristics of the DBRS9 better.

2006 Speed GT World Challenge Calendar -

Mar. 31-Apr. 2 - Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
Apr. 7-9 - Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach
May 19-21 - American LeMans at Mid Ohio
Jun. 23-25 - Dodge Save Mart 350
Jul. 13-15 - Utah Grand Prix
Aug. 11-13 - CENTRIX Financial Grand Prix of Denver
Aug. 18-20 - Generac 500 at Road America
Sep. 1-3 - The Labour Day Weekend Grand Prix of Mosport
Sept. 27-31 - Petit Le Mans
Oct. 19-22 - Monterey Sports Car Championship

For the latest news please visit www.world-challenge.com and of course Autosport Designs homepage: www.autosportdesigns.com where you can also view Tom and Barry's extensive inventory of automobiles.

Story: Classic Driver
Photos: Autosport Designs/Richard Prince - Strictly Copyright