August 2, 2005

Willow Glen Racer finishes 7th while England’s
Legge wins Toyota Atlantic Race

Willow Glen’s Grant Ryley with his No. 22 Intervision Systems/Condor Motorsports team car following the Toyota Atlantic Championship race on Sunday. Photo by Kymberli Brady

In the Toyota Atlantic Championship race, England’s Katherine Legge took first place, her third series victory. Legge took the lead when she passed leader Charles Zwolsman on the outside on turn eight during the 29th lap.

Among the local drivers was Willow Glen’s Grant Ryley, who finished seventh after starting out in the 11th spot on the starting grid. Ryley, racing for Intervision, got his best time on the 1.44-mile downtown course registered at 1:04.292 and said he was pleased with not only being able to sleep in his own bed for a weekend, but also his finish at the race.

“We’re really happy,” said Ryley. “ … It was an awesome race; I had a lot of fun. That’s the key—I had fun. I got out of the race car happy and when you get out of the race car happy, it’s cool.”

Ryley said the race course, which saw some changes throughout the weekend, including a chicane placed before the hairpin turn at turn three, as well as drivers having to contend with driving over light-rail tracks near the start/finish line, was one made for mostly smart driving.

“There’s a combination there,” said Ryley. “There’s some gutsy stuff that you need to do. There’s some areas—coming off of Park (Avenue, cuts across after turn two) and through that narrow chicane you have to carry a lot of speed and there’s no room of error there.”

Ryley, content with the weekend overall, said he is looking forward to returning to race in his hometown again next year.

“I’m already trying to put together a program for next year,” Ryley said. “ … I’d love to come back and do it again. It’s a great event. The fans were unbelievable.”

By Diego Abeloos