Atlanta, GA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/07/2010 -- Dion von Moltke, considered one of GRAND-AM’s more popular racers of the Rolex Series, finished 9th at the Montreal 200 with co-driver Mark Patterson as the duo battle from the back of the pack due to failing to make qualifying due to earlier damage suffered in practice. Driving the McDonalds / South African Airways (SAA) / PRNewswire Ford Dallara Daytona Prototype that proudly sports Dion’s native South African flag, von Moltke scored his ninth Top-10 finish in 11 of the 12 races of the 2010 season with only the Utah 250 at Salt Lake City’s Miller Motorsports Park remaining. Dion remains a leading contender for the coveted Rookie of the Year award.
"Good top-10 finish in the Vuvuzela car again,” said Dion von Moltke. “The team did a great job all weekend to get us on the pace and even with the little incidents on track we were able to consistently drive Top-6 lap times so it should hopefully be good going to Salt Lake City. I will be very determined to show what this car and team are capable of and finish the season on a strong note!"
The race began on a down note for the team. There was an off by Patterson during the Trueman/Aiken practice session that eliminated the opportunity to qualify. Not qualifying meant the team would have to start the race at the back of the pack. Mark Patterson started the race for the team and had an early tangle with the Krohn Racing DP. The car was not badly damaged, but had some difficulty in restarting and rejoined the race 30 seconds down. This created too much of a gap to make up for the team to make up on the lead pack early on. With the race leader, the #99 Gainsco backed DP, baring down on him entering one of the corners, Patterson tried giving room to the race leader, which took him off the race line and was unable to make the turn. The #77 Doran Racing driver could only watch as the tire wall quickly approached. Unable to get the car out of gear he had to be towed back, but during the towing process was able to get the gearbox to disengage and pop the clutch to restart the car. Already down 4 laps, Dion jumped in, and quickly made up ground on the competition. Dion was given the instruction to not get in the way of anyone’s race that was still in it, since the car was several laps down Dion settled into a consistent pace on par with the leaders.
Von Moltke has had a strong 2010 season to date. He has earned two Top-5 finishes, as he vies for the Rookie of the Year points lead, and setting the pace in the Trueman/Akin sessions in seven of the eight rounds in the 2010 racing season that he’s participated in.
With many of the teams’ sponsors in attendance, another Top-10 is just what the doctor ordered; "We had many of our most important customers and travel partners attend the Montreal race as guests of Grand-AM,” said David Chorley, Director Sales Development, Canada for South African Airways. “Everyone was very impressed with the stunning Vuvuzela car, Doran Racing, and the two drivers. Young Dion von Moltke, who is supported by our airline, is an impressive young man - not only a great race car driver, but someone who is a pleasure to spend time with. We are confident that he will go far in this sport, and we are excited to be part of his career!"
Additional information on P1 Groupe may be found at http://www.P1Groupe.com and on Dion von Moltke’s website http://www.dionvm.com