GT FINALE IN CALI

Monterey, California (October 11, 2009) – Jeff Courtney, driver of the No. 99 KENDA Tires/Woodhouse Performance/Dodge Viper Competition Coupe had the best set-up of the season at this weekend’s SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge GT Championship finale, clocking one of the fastest times of the race, yet fell prey to a late-race collision from behind. Courtney was dropped from top ten contention while battling for fourth, fifth and sixth, and was forced to settle for an 11th place finish.

“The car had never been better this year, it was the best we’ve unloaded so far,” said Courtney. “Matt [Bejnarowicz] and Rick [Maxwell] worked extremely hard on the set-up and it paid off. We had good practice times and good feedback, it was really an outstanding effort from the whole team.

”Courtney qualified 10th on the grid and had a great standing start, “The good start and Viper torque helped me pick up a couple of positions up the hill,” said Courtney. In lap nine, Courtney set the fastest lap of the race up to that point with 1:30.995. Courtney was optimistic for a good finish on this season-ender, “Things were going great, the car was handling awesome, the conditions were perfect.

”In the last few laps of the race, Courtney was battling with Eric Curran and Brandon Davis for the fourth and fifth positions, the cars were running nose to tail and the action was fast and fierce. “Late in the race, everyone has worn their tires and their cars out, but from where I was at, I felt I had the advantage on corner exit. I thought I could make a possible run on these cars in the last laps,” said Courtney. Unfortunately, on the white flag lap, a Porsche that was a lap down, driven by Dino Crescentini, made an aggressive move at the top of the corkscrew and ran into the back of the No. 99 Viper and shoved Courtney off the track and out of contention. Courtney ended up finishing 11th.

“Obviously, I was very upset with Dino,” said Courtney. “He was a lap down at the time of the hit, and it’s the second time this year he has ran into the back of me. Dino was very apologetic after the race, but for me, it’s hard to take because it just adds to the struggle of my 2009 season.”

Teammate Charlie Putman brought home another top-ten finish, driving the No. 13 Woodhouse Performance Dodge Viper Competition Coupe to the stripe in eighth. “Charlie did fantastic, I’m really happy for how well he did,” said Courtney.

“Congratulations go to Brandon Davis for winning the GT Championship as well,” said Courtney. “I also want to give a shout out to the RealTime Acura team for again winning the Manufacturers’ Championship for Acura and another Drivers’ Championship for Pierre [Kleinubing]. Congratulations!”

This was a finale like no other, a knock-down-drag-out fight that racing fans cannot afford to miss. Catch the action when it is broadcast on the SPEED channel on Tuesday, November 3, at 2:00 (EDT).

SEASON FINALE AT LAGUNA

Courtney Prepares to Charge in CaliforniaMilwaukee, Wisconsin (October 8, 2009) – Jeff Courtney, driver of the No. 99 KENDA Tires/Woodhouse Performance Dodge Viper Competition Coupe, prepares for his final race of the SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge GT Championships 2009 season at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, this weekend, October 9-11.

“It is a great track, I really love racing on it,” said Courtney. “Unfortunately, I haven’t had the best of luck on it.” In the three races that Courtney has competed on this track, all have ended in a mechanical failure, yet Courtney remains optimistic, “Hopefully we can kick that gremlin to the curb.”

There has been a short turnaround for SCCA Pro Racing SPEED GT drivers; just over a week ago the teams were leaving Road Atlanta. The Woodhouse Performance Team has been working overtime to get the car on pace with the other brands. The No. 13 car, driven by Charlie Putman, has been a particular challenge, but they are focused on putting forth cars that are competitive.

“Charlie had the car from hell at Road Atlanta last race,” said team owner Bob Woodhouse. “When things aren’t going as well as you want them to, there is only one way out, work at it harder.” This team is doing that now, working hard to make the No. 99 and No. 13 cars competitive. Crew Chief Rick Maxwell and team engineer Matt Bejnarowicz have worked on a setup that they feel positive about, after a short test at a local track, they came away with smiles. “We made a few more adjustments but didn’t have time to return to the track, so we put Jeff and Charlie on bail notice in case the street test doesn’t go well,” joked Woodhouse.

“I know Bob, Susan, Rick and Matt have really been working hard on the cars’ setup. I’m anxious to get behind the wheel at Laguna,” said Courtney. “It is a renowned track, and it’s my last race of the year,” said Courtney, “I really want to end the year on a positive note.”

Don’t miss the SCCA Pro Racing SPEED GT finale this weekend; drivers get the green at 2:45 p.m. (PST), set your DVR to catch this thriller and watch the live timing and scoring action on www.world-challenge.com.