March 30, 2008e

For Immediate Release

Dane Rudolph has solid first hit out at ACE Speedway.

Friday 28th March saw 21 year old Dane Rudolph from Australia have his first taste of Oval racing, and his first race within the USA. Competing in the Whelen All American LMSC series at ACE Speedway in Altamahaw North Carolina.

Driving the number 18 Chevrolet from Sellers Racing, Rudolph put in a superb performance to finish 7th with the complete 100 lap race run without a single caution flag, a very rare occurence.

Despite battling some slight mental fatigue due to the repetitive nature of the event, Rudolph didn't put a single scratch on the Number 18 bringing it home to complete a full race distance first up.

I qualified in 8th position and finished the 100 lap race in 7th position. Having not done an oval trace race before I was quote anxious to see how the race would turn out. However I was able to get rid of my nerves during qualifying. It was good to qualify in the top ten for my first race, both the team and I were full of confidence and looking forward to the feature race.

I started in row 4 on the outside so I was important to make a good start and get to the inside for turn 1. I made a clean start, taking 9th position and made my way up to 8th place. Afterwards I pushed hard and made up some ground on the 7th place car. Again I made clean pass and claimed 7th. I continue on to battle for 6th place, however the car had a slight push/understeer midcorner though 1 and 2 plus 3 and 4. I couldn't apply the throttle as early as I needed to, so it was a touch job to hold my ground. Never the less it was great to finish in the top ten in a race that ran without any caution periods. Lap time wise, we were on about 2 to 3 tenths off the leaders however at the end of the race we were only about 1.5 tenths off the leaders, so it was encouraging to know that we're not far behind the front runners.

Both HC and Peyton Sellers did a great job on the radio. They are best guys to have on your side, so it gives me a lot of confidence to know that once I get a few races under my belt we should be able to do even better. The team gave their best all night and it has paid off with a fantastic debut result. I know that my oval track skills will improve for the rest of the yar, saying that I feel we can be running with the leaders very shortly.

I had 2 goals before I raced, first finish the race and secondly keep out of trouble. I was extremely pleased to have achieved my goals so next time I'll raise my goals and take it one step at a time, mainly I need to focus on my qualifying performance, that's what counts. It has been a life long dream to come from the other side of the world and race in one of the largest sanctioned sports in the world. I feel extremely fortunate to have been given the opportunity to race with Sellers Racing Inc here in Danville Virginia. The Sellers family are extremly warm people to be with, I feel like I'm back in Australia with the exception of any Aussie accents, and hearing the words, G'day mate how's it going?

The next race will be held this coming Friday April 4, another tough battle is expected over the scheduled 75 laps.