Robin Liddell Rejoins Clint Field at Infineon Raceway

Scottish-American Duo Will Battle for P2 Championship Sonoma, California, July 15, 2004 - Sometimes accidents just happen. For Scotsman Robin Liddell, a regular in the ALMS series last year in GT behind the wheel of a Pirelli-sponsored PK Sport Porsche he shared with Alex Caffi but without a ride following Sebring, the accident was being in the right place at the right time. I was at Mid-Ohio for other reasons, Robin explains. I ran into Peter [Peter Tyson, Pirelli U.S. VP of Marketing] while walking through the paddock and he commented that was looking for a co-driver for his Intersport P2 Lola-Judd, which also runs Pirellis. Peter asked if I was available, I replied, yes, and the next thing I know he introduces me to Clint and Ive got a P2 ride. While Liddell is best known in the ALMS for his skill behind the wheel of a Porsche, in Europe he has competed in a variety of open- and closed-wheel race cars, and recently, in England, had seat time behind the wheel of a Pilbeam P2, powered by the same Judd powerplant found in Fields Lola. Driving the Lola for the first time Saturday morning, Robin quickly came to grips with the car that had carried Field to a P675 class victory at Le Mans only a couple weeks earlier. He was second quickest in two practice sessions and provided the crew with valuable feedback on setting the car up for Mid-Ohio, a track he had never driven in anger prior to his first Saturday session in the Intersport Lola. Alternating stints behind the wheel, the Field/Liddell duo drove the Lola to a 1 st in class and 5 th overall around Mid-Ohios demanding twists and turns with Liddell setting fastest P2 lap in the process. For the 21-year-old Field, Mid-Ohio was just the latest in a string of recent successes he has enjoyed driving the Lola, starting in June when the Intersport team took first in P2 at the worlds most prestigious endurance race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Three days shy of his 21 st birthday, Clint had to forego the usual champagne victory celebration. But he has the distinction of being the youngest driver ever to claim a class victory at Le Mans. At the age of nine when most kids his age would be playing hoops or Little League baseball, Clint was already racing competitively in shifter karts. By the time he was twelve, Clint was hanging out at race tracks around the country with his father, currently a successful competitor in the ALMS P1 ranks. As a young driver Clint realizes he still has a lot to learn about racing sports cars. But he has had an opportunity to spend time with some of the best. He lists his dad and Oliver Gavin as being among those who have most influenced his driving, and Clint displays a maturity that is rare for someone his age. Ive driven sprint races and Ive driven endurance races, and unlike some drivers Ive come across, I understand the differences between the two, Clint explained. In a sprint race its you against the rest. But in an ALMS enduro, you have to think team sport. You have to put your ego aside and appreciate that going fast is only half the battle. The other half is finishing . . .finishing first. And that will never happen if you turn a trashed race car over to your co-driver. You have to run consistent fast laps and keep it on the track and out of trouble. Fastest laps dont count for squat if you wind up spending time in the pits banging out body damage or having to change a busted transmission, Clint continued. Robin is very good, Clint said. Hes quick, but safe, and hes a big help in setting up the car. Its great to have him back sharing the ride with me here at Infineon Raceway. Liddell, the old man of the team at age 30, describes Mid-Ohio as a storybook race and finish and Clint as remarkably mature for having just turned 21. He has achievements most drivers will spend their entire careers chasing but never catching, Robin says. As a European racing to America, I always consider it a privilege to be asked to drive for an American team. I really have to thank Clint and Pirelli for helping me win my first ALMS race. And now Im looking forward to helping the Intersport team win the 2004 P2 championship. The ALMS moves to the California wine country for the next event on the calendar at Infineon Raceway, in Sonoma, July 16-18. The race will be televised live on CBS on July 18 from 3-5 p.m. (EDT). Race fans can also listen to live coverage of the race on the ALMS radio web at www.americanlemans.com.