Press Release 8/3/2004

Alton, Va (July 31st) The Flatoutracing/Guident Technologies/HRPWorld.com team endured a tough weekend at the most recent rounds of Nasa Pro Racing's Honda Challenge races.

After experiencing engine problems in practice and qualifying Jon Kofod had to start at the back of the Honda Challenge grid in 30th place overall and 8th in H4 class. At the start Kofod got a blinding start on the H5 class cars and several H4 cars. Leaping from 8th to 4th place in H4 and making up 8 spots overall before the first corner, Kofod's luck ran out as he was pushed wide at the edge of turn 1 and got two wheels off the pavement. Kofod ended up spinning off in the wet grass and had to rejoin the race in last place once again.

However, a blazing pace saw him reel in most of the H5 and H4 fields within the first three laps. Throughout the first half of the race Kofod repeatedly set fastest laps in H4 class getting as high as 3rd place in the race. At one point Kofod had narrowed the gap between himself and the two front running cars of JE Import Performance's Lyonel Kent and Ian Carpenter's Team Hankook car to 6 seconds. Kent and Carpenter had been battling each other throughout the first part of the race separated by less than a second and trading the lead twice.

But Kofod encountered more bad luck when he ran wide coming down the hill onto the main straight and had to take all four wheels into the grass. The gap immediately rose to over 10 seconds and Kofod was never able to close the gap. Team Hankook's Carpenter took the checkered flag for his first victory of the season just inches ahead of Kent. Kofod earned a tough 3rd place podium finish.

"I had a great start and was looking at having a go at 3rd place but got greedy in turn 1. I knew that I had to get up front as soon as possible or Ian and Lyonel would break away in traffic. I took every chance in the book and my luck ran out."

The engine problem that occurred Saturday morning became terminal on Sunday and Kofod was not able to compete in the second round. "We had a problem with one of the valves and were able to find a short term fix, but it became terminal on Sunday. Given the circumstances I am happy with a podium finish coming from dead last on the grid."

Although the team has not been able to break into the win column in the past few races, consistency has provided Kofod with three 2nd place finishes and this weekend's 3rd place podium to remain atop the Championship ladder by a slim margin. This past weekend's podium finish means the team has finished on the podium each race weekend.

Kofod and the Flatoutracing/Guident Technologies/HRPWorld team will be gearing up for the next rounds at Road Atlanta August 15th and 16th.