Mechanical Issues Sideline Olson For Majority Of Weekend In Porsche Cup Debut

June 3, 2012 - PRLog -- Zhuhai International Circuit, Zhuhai China-

American formula pilot Pete Olson took to the wheel of a 450hp Porsche GT3 for the first time this past weekend for Rounds 3&4 of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia series [http://www.carreracupasia.com]. Unfortunately, with engine issues plaguing the typically reliable race car, Olson's first full speed practice session literally took place during today's Race Two when he was finally able to make the starting grid.

After spending Friday's Official Practice 1 running in new brakes at slower speed and getting a feel for the car while driving it the first time, due to an oil leak Olson was unable to make Friday's Official Practice 2. On Saturday, two laps into qualifying bad luck struck again, placing Olson on the back of the grid after only  being able to only complete two warm up laps before pitting in. While mechanics worked valiantly on the car during the two hours between Saturday's Qualifying and Race One, the car was unable to be repaired in time for the weekend's first race. However, by missing race one, Olson avoided possibly being involved in the 9-car pileup in the start of race one, the largest multi-car collision in the history of PCCA racing. "...so I wouldn't say missing Round One was the worst thing there was- maybe someone was looking out for me."

Olson was finally able to take to the starting grid for today's Race Two, only to eventually succumb to mechanical issues once again, resulting in a DNF [Did Not Finish], having to head to the pits before the end of the race with his engine running a smoking oil leak.

"It wasn't the best weekend in terms of driving but it was a fantastic opportunity to be offered a seat in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia. I was incredibly impressed with the professionalism of the series and the Porsche Motorsports staff, and really hope to have an opportunity to join the series again later in the season - next time with some quality testing preparation and sorting out the car to place some good results. It took some getting used to the transition to the Porsche GT3, but I feel I'm already starting to get the hang of it - just a single day of further testing and I'll be looking at major laptime improvement."

Olson was also asked this weekend to drive the 550hp Audi R8 safety car for the Audi R8 LMS Cup China series. About the R8, Olson said "Fantastic - great power, handling, and surprisingly good brakes for a decent-sized supercar. The Audi Motorsport personnel were fantastic as well and I want to thank them for the opportunity to have some fun in one of the finest performance cars there is."

Next week Olson will already be behind the wheel again, testing for the upcoming June 16-17 Asia Formula Renault races. The event will also take place at the Zhuhai International Circuit, during the famous quarterly Pan Delta racing festival featuring various touring car, superbike, and Formula Renault events.

We wish the American formula pilot the best of luck in his Formula Renault races June 16-17.

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For more information on American race car driver Pete Olson, visit http://www.peteolson.com or his facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/PeteOlsonRacing.

ChildFund International Contact Agent for Pete Olson:
Cynthia Price
Director, Communications
ChildFund International
2821 Emerywood Parkway
Richmond, VA 23294 USA
Phone: 804.756.2722

Pete Olson
Instructor, Test Driver
Champ Motorsport
Zhuhai International Circuit
Jin Ding, Zhuhai City, Guangdong 519085
China PRC
Mobile: +86 136 3126 3565
pete@Champ.cc
pete@peteolson.com