September 11, 2007
The team arrived early Friday morning and only had 2 sessions to get up to speed at this unfamiliar track. Clarke and Elie made the most of their time posting faster and faster lap times and were confident they could run with some of the front runners during the endurance race on Saturday morning.
"This track is really fast and challenging." Said team captain Elie Daccache. "It was important from the start that we follow some people who had been here before to find some good lines because Nelson Ledges isn’t the smoothest track we have been to, that’s for sure!" he added.
Elie posted a fastest lap of 1:14:665 on lap 65. "We were on fire from the start of the race. Clarke and I both posted laps in the 1:14's and that was the pace to keep throughout the race. Unfortunately we had an issue during a pit stop and the fact that we had to nurse our rear tire home in the last hour kept us from challenging for second place. Clarke and I are happy with our podium in our first ever endurance race- I am very proud of my team and our result reflects the amount of work and preparation we put into this race!"
"I couldn't believe that Elie was able to turn out fast lap times while riding on a rear tire with no more tread!" Clarke La Prairie was just as excited to win 3rd, "This is my first podium and it feels great!!!”
S.K.E.R.T. finished behind team Ghetto Customs and team Bad Rad, putting in 244 laps in 5.5 hours.
Elie and Clarke would like to thank Brett Birnie, Pirelli Tires (specifically Rick at TRACKSIDE RACERS SUPPLY) Vortex Racing Products and BAD RAD racing as well as all the track marshals, competitors and staff at WERA.
Visit: http://www.53-Racing.com for additional information about Elie Daccache and his foray into endurance racing as well as his progress as a Pro in the RACE Super Series and Parts Canada Superbike Championship!