Andrew Aquilante to Race Phoenix Performance Z51 Corvette
in Sebring SCCA SPEED World Challenge GT

 - Team builds car to new rules package -

Phoenixville, PA – March 11, 2009

 

Phoenix Performance, Inc. and driver Andrew Aquilante will debut a 2008 C6 Z51 Corvette in the SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge GT race at Sebring (Fla.) International Raceway on Friday, March 20.

No stranger to Corvettes, Andrew drove a Phoenix Performance Z51 Corvette to the Touring 1 Class National Championship at the 2007 SCCA National Championship Runoffs, a drive which earned the then-20-year old the coveted SCCA President’s Cup. He has also raced Corvettes in the Grand American Rolex GT series in 2008 and in SCCA National Club Racing since 2004, winning numerous SCCA National Club Racing Divisional titles in Touring 1.

“Like other Corvettes in the World Challenge GT series, our car is a modified production C6 Corvette. But unlike the other Corvette teams, which use full bore race engines, we will use the current production-based 6.2 liter LS3 ‘crate’ engine.” said Joe Aquilante, owner of Phoenix Performance, Inc.  “This engine is used by many of our customers for track days and club racing events. What we learn about it in World Challenge will be made available directly to our customers.

“The SPEED World Challenge GT category has the potential to become an even greater racing series,” said the elder Aquilante. “I’m happy they’ve created an equitable rules package which gives a grass roots team like ours a chance to race and be competitive at a more reasonable cost.  The shorter sprint race format focuses on the driver and makes for a great TV show”

SCCA’s rule book uses weight differences and intake restrictors to help balance the performance of the cars.

Practice on the world-famous 3.7-mile Sebring circuit is Wednesday, March 18. Qualifying is Thursday, March 19. The 50-minute race is Friday, March 20 at 4:55pmET and will be televised by SPEED TV for airing at a date to be announced.

Sponsors for the Phoenix Performance Z51 Corvette include Rockland Standard Gear, Automotive Racing Products, Hawk Brakes, Quarter Master and Ron Davis Radiators.

Behind the pit wall, Phoenix Performance has merged the company’s technical staff on the Z51 Corvette project. The crew includes Klevis Prifti, Jason Lang, Matt Smith, Jeanne Aquilante, Mark Giusti, Chris Boughter, Kurt Omensetter, Chuck Montague, Jeff Parsons, and Drew Spoto.

About Phoenix Performance
Phoenix Performance, Inc is owned and managed by Joe Aquilante and is located in a 32,000 sq. ft. race shop 40 miles west of downtown Philadelphia. Phoenix Performance-prepared cars have won 18 SCCA National Club Racing Championships since 1999, two professional series Driver and Manufacturer Championships, and the GM Motorsports Winner’s Circle Award. Andrew’s website is www.andrewaquilante.com. For team information, call Joe Aquilante at 610-482-0141, by email at JFAPhoenix32@aol.com, or visit the company’s website, http://www.phoenixperformanceinc.com/.

 

Media Contact:

Dave Arnold

arnold communications

607.562.2165

dave.arnold@verizon.net