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ROBINSON/BALDWIN SEIZE VICTORY AT MID-OHIO FOR INFORMIX

© Bonnie Quick

"It was an excellent, close, action packed race with a diverse, large, and strong field. At Mid-Ohio, the Grand Am has come of age." said commentator Janos Wimpffen of Sportscar World (www.sportscarworld.com)

After a fairly easy victory at Lime Rock, the Dyson team was hoping to continue their winning streak at the Grand-Am U.S. Road Racing Classic at Mid-Ohio as James Weaver held off a strong challenge from Andy Wallace as the green flag waved on the back stretch. The two former teammates pulled out a gap on Jack Baldwin as they completed the first race lap. Dyson was stopped by the #74 Informix Software Riley and Scott driven by George Robinson and Jack Baldwin. Baldwin took advantage of a mechanical problem with the Dyson Riley and Scott Judd and scored a nine second victory over them.

"Jack Baldwin was quite thrilled with the whole tenor of the race." Stated Wimpffen." He greatly enjoyed working through traffic and found the slower cars a dream. Most everyone worked together to create fine discipline, according to the co-winner. He was working to set-up EFR, at times getting close enough to see Forbes-Robinson's face in the mirror. The pass on the run to Keyhole was exactly planned, but he saw how EFR got stuck behind a batch of cars and Baldwin took the opportunityŠ"

Jon Field, in #37 Intersport Lola made an amazing start, bettering EFR to claim fourth place. But he had to pull off because of problems with the gearbox at turn 8, right next to Barnard's Corvette, which had pulled off a few laps earlier. After the Field Lola was towed on a flat bed truck, Jon Field himself took over the Riley & Scott from his twin brother Joel.

Terry Borcheller jumped ahead of the Viper to take the GTO lead. Didier Theys charged through the field and passed the #20 Dyson entry. He recorded the fastest time in the final qualifying session and gained 16 positions after starting 21st and finishing 5th overall.

The two lead cars pulled into the pits, nose-to-tail, just as the course went full yellow for a second time and when the field restarted Baldwin was well out in front.

At one point it seemed questionable that the full 111 laps would be run as the fourth yellow flag period was called. Theys charged hard, trying to catch Wallace for third, but as he headed into the uphill esses, the left front wheel jumped off the hub. Fortunately it happened near the pit entrance and did not cause him to lose much time.