Tim Bell Aiming High at Homestead

Tim Bell Aiming High at Homestead

Looking to put previous experience to good use

Contact: Matt Cleary
Media
317-908-2975

MIAMI (2 March 2011) – Making his first-ever pro racing start at one of the most iconic tracks in the sport, Tim Bell impressed with his poise, pace and performance last month at Daytona International Speedway. The California youngster will bring that confidence-building experience with him this week as he heads back to Florida for the Kia 200 and round two of the 2011 GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge championship.

The Kia 200 will mark Bell’s second start with Doran Racing in the No.14 BMW 128i, and will see him looking to build on what he learned at Daytona as he once again teams with co-driver BJ Zacharias.

Bell made quite the impression at the prestigious track with a top-10 qualifying effort to start ninth on the GRAND-AM 200 Street Tuner grid. Through the beginning stages of the race, Bell had a thrilling run toward the front of the field, but a hit from behind forced the No.14 machine to the pits for an extended pit stop. In a race that promised a strong result early on for Bell and co-driver BJ Zacharias, the Doran Racing squad team had to settle for a 16th place result.

As Bell prepares for his second GRAND-AM start this Saturday (SPEED, March 19 2:00 PM ET), he is ready to tackle what is considered to be one of the more challenging tracks on the GRAND-AM circuit.

Bell has a lot to take in this year as he learns the nuances of endurance racing, his competition, the tracks and his BMW 128i machine. But his official Homestead-Miami Speedway race debut will at least see him benefit from some previous experience on the 2.3-mile circuit as Bell tested the BMW for Doran Racing in December.

“I’m eager to get back down to Homestead and get the weekend going,” said Bell. “It’s great to already have experience not only at Homestead, but also with this car, so I’m feeling good about the weekend. I learned a lot at Daytona, but I’ll admit it didn’t end up like we wanted. It would be great to get a little bit of redemption with a better result. Things were going to plan at Daytona and hopefully, if we just use the same playbook and avoid any bad luck, we can make up for it this weekend.”

In looking for a strong result in the Kia 200, Bell will continue his campaign for the 2011 MESCO Rookie of the Year award.

Bell will get the chance to get re-acclimated with the track during a promoter test day on Thursday followed by the official practices and qualifying for the ST class at 5:05 PM (ET) on Friday, March 4. Saturday after one more practice session and the fan walk and autograph session, the green flag for the Kia 200 is set to drop on at 4:15 PM (ET) for the 2.5 hour race.

The race will air March 19 at 2:00 PM (ET) on SPEED.

Tim Bell Notes, Homestead-Miami Speedway Kia 200:

Championship position: P15/Team Championship (Street Tuner Class)

Bell will contend for the MESCO “Rookie of the Year” Award as he steps up to the pro ranks

Bell’s previous racing experience has been focused in the BMW Car Club of America (BMWCCA) racing series.

Family Affair:

Bell’s pursuit of racing success will see the weekend events become a full-fledged family activity for the Bell family. Tim’s older brother, Matt, has already established himself on the GRAND-AM circuit with his award-winning drives in the Daytona Prototypes and record-setting runs in the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge series.

-ends

Matt Cleary
Sunday Group Management
media
http://www.sundaymanagement.com
317.908.2975 (m)


Based in Indianapolis, Sunday Group Management is a leading motorsports management and communications consulting firm.

Sunday Group Management works with clients in a variety of motorsports categories, including NASCAR Sprint Cup driver AJ Allmendinger, Riley Technologies, GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series organization Michael Shank Racing, Continental Tire, and several teams and drivers in Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge competition.

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