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Galica,
Endress, and Lux Impress in Debut
November 1, 2000
Lux, Endress, Galica
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The Porsche team of Cindi Lux, Divina Galica and Belinda Endress
finished sixth in the GT class and 20th overall at the third annual
Petit Le Mans race at Road Atlanta, Saturday, September 30. These
three Featured Drivers of Thunder Valley Racing usually compete
against one another in the Women's Global GT Series, but came together
to form a strong team for the American Le Mans Series ten hour endurance
race.
"It's pretty remarkable," said starting and finishing driver Cindi
Lux of Aloha, Oregon. "Other than getting nailed by a prototype
car early in the race, it was smooth sailing for the whole race.
It's hard to describe the whole thing in one word. awesome, incredible,
relieved. I'm really happy."
Joining the Fray
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Lux, who qualified in 14th position in the GT class, 37th overall,
drove her first stint for one hour and twenty minutes, until 1:50
p.m., lap 44, pitting during a caution. She was hit in the bumper
on lap nine by a prototype car and spun, then was hit again by another
GT car. It caused some right rear body damage to the car, but not
major damage. Lux's second stint was from lap 148 to 199 (4:41 p.m.
until 6:19 p.m.), bringing the car up to 20th position overall, eighth
in class. She also drove the final stint, from 9:12 p.m., while in
21st overall and seventh in class, until race end at 9:50 p.m., and
finishing sixth in class, 20th overall.
The Names
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Divina Galica drove the second stint, from 1:50 p.m. until 3:29 p.m.
Lux turned over the car in the 24th position on lap 100 to Galica.
Her second stint ran from 6:19 p.m. until 7:45 p.m., lap 199 to 253,
with the Porsche in 20th position overall, eighth in class. "I am
so happy I could burst," said Galica, a Brit living in Sebring, Fla.
and Lakeville, Conn. "There's no better feeling than driving well.
I'm so thankful we finished, and to finish in the top six, which was
one of our ultimate goals, is incredible. I left my lucky 13 at home,
so this proves I don't need it anymore."
the Crew
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Belinda Endress drove the third rotation, taking over on lap 148 while
in 22nd position overall, eighth in class. Her second stint ran from
lap 253 at 7:45 p.m. until lap 310 at 9:12 p.m.
Turn Five at Night
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"I really feel good we brought the car home in one piece," said Endress,
of Newbury Park, Calif. "Nothing got too unruly out there. Cole (Scrogham,
team manager) was great. He spotted traffic for us and really helped
us along. It was a good race." Lux turned the fastest time on lap
eight with a 1:29.760.
The Happy Warriors
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No future plans have been formulated for the popular trio of women
racers who caused a buzz all weekend at the North Georgia circuit.
They all hope their Petit Le Mans results and performance will help
show the racing world that they are ready to race with the boys in
Professional Sports Car Racing and the American Le Mans Series. Watch
for the names Cindi Lux, Divina Galica and Belinda Endress at sports
car races in the near future.
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