Press Release 9/6/2004

September 6th (Beaver Falls) The Flatoutracing/Guident Technologies/HRPWorld.com team captured their sixth straight podium this past weekend at the Midwest Honda Challenge races at NASA Pro Racing's Beaverun races with a second place on Sunday.

However, the team did suffer a setback in Saturday's race. The weekend started out on a high note as Flatoutracing's Jon Kofod captured the pole position for Saturday's race out qualifying the #80 Team Hankook car of Ian Carpenter by less than five thousands of a second. In third place only a fraction behind was the other Team Hankook car of Andrew Zimmermann.

A bad start for Kofod allowed Carpenter by in turn 3 and Carpenter was able to hold a two to three car length lead for two laps before Kofod got a huge run off the back straight and passed Carpenter under braking in turn 10. Kofod then proceeded to lead the next 5 laps before Carpenter retook the lead in turn one. A few more lead changes took place before Carpenter pulled off a daring move on the back straight.

Two laps later Kofod attempted a very late pass in turn 1 on the inside but ended up punting Carpenter into the grass. Kofod was able to regroup as Zimmermann went by for the lead but Kofod then purposely slowed down to allow Carpenter to retake 2nd place. Kofod made several attempts to get by Carpenter but the two crossed the finish line in 2nd and 3rd.

After a meeting with the race stewards it was determined that Kofod's pass was too late and in violation of the rules and he was disqualified and docked his pole points. "It was a bad move on my part and very poor judgment given my position behind Ian. Ian had every right to be upset but he's a class act and we talked everything through with the race officials."

For Sunday's race Kofod again qualified on pole, this time ahead of the other Team Hankook car of Andrew Zimmerman with Carpenter in third. A horrendous start for Kofod in which he missed a gear saw three Spec Miatas and both Carpenter and Zimmermann get by on the front straight. Kofod was able to get by the slower Miatas on the same lap and then get by Zimmermann on lap two.

Kofod took the next three laps chasing down Carpenter before passing him under braking in turn 10 for the lead. For the next 4 laps the two ex-Nonnemaker Integras ran inches apart until Carpenter got by on the front straight. Kofod retook the lead on lap 14 for a brief period before Carpenter retook the lead with three laps to go. Kofod seemed to have more grip in turn 10 for the last two laps but wasn't able to get by Carpenter. The two cars crossed the finish line less than five thousands of a second apart with Carpenter avenging his lost win from Saturday.

"Ian and I had fun all weekend racing each other. We ran bumper to bumper in each race and I greatly regret the incident Saturday. I am glad we were able to put it behind us and have a great race on Sunday".

The next round will take place at Summit Point Motorsports Park. Currently Kofod and the Flatoutracing/Guident Technologies/HRPWorld.com team sit in second place in the Championship just 10 points behind JE Import's Lyonel Kent. Team Hankook's Carpenter is in third just 15 points behind Kofod ensuring that the title will likely be decided at the last race.