Matt Connolly Motorsports 2008 Daytona 24 RACE REPORT

After an exciting GT qualifying, the #21 MCM Pontiac GTO-R prepped to take the starting grid in the 5 th class position.

The team began the race setting quick times in the GT class behind the driving talents of Diego Alessi, Karl Reindler, Spencer Trenery, Vic Rice and Hal Prewitt. This would prove to be a formidable lineup throughout the weekend.

The race got off to an interesting start as Diego Alessi quickly picked off a position to take 4 th in GT, only to have a Porsche squeeze down on him, making contact before turn one. Early on, he ran as high as 3rd, but the contact eventually proved costly as the right front upright gave way just a brief time later and put the #21 entry behind the wall for repairs.

The GTO-R would have its issues, but the determined team and drivers refused to give up and pressed on through the night that saw a number of issues stare them head on. The team felt a sense of victory to see Australian driver and first time Rolex 24 competitor Karl Reindler take the checkered flag in a very emotional finish to this storied event for the team that finished in 27 th GT class position out of the 45 entries.

The team would like to thank the sponsors that supported the team for this event: CityDeals.com, National Tyres, Novus Capital, Makes and Models Magazine, Festivals of Speed, HazardousFluids.com, Dress-for-less.com, Vision Investments and Development, BlackFlagGear.com, Regenco Renewables, and P1Groupe.com.