Tavares, FL – January 24, 2011 – Alex Job Racing (AJR) will return to the Patron GT3 Challenge by Yokohama Series in 2011 with young guns Michael Schein and Cooper MacNeil. Schein is a returning driver and MacNeil is new to the series.
Michael Schein, Glen Cove, New York, is returning for his second year of Patron Challenge racing with AJR. Schein raced to his first series win at Mid-Ohio and put his black and white 997 on pole position at Road Atlanta. He finished sixth in the Platinum series points, an excellent run considering he did not join the series until the second race of the season at Laguna Seca.
“Coming into the 2010 season my main goal was to get acclimated to the series and learn as much as I could,” Schein said. “I surprised myself with the speed at which I was able to learn the new tracks and set competitive times. My goal for the 2011 season is pretty straightforward, to win the championship. Now that I am no longer a rookie, my expectations are higher and I hope to accomplish my goal. I am looking forward to opening the season at Sebring very much. I would say that Sebring is my “home track” even though I’m a New Yorker. I have the most laps at Sebring compared to all the other tracks, so I should go well there. I won my first race at Sebring during a HSR event with my old 996 Cup car and last week was able to take a win at a PBOC event in the 997 Cup. Lime Rock is also a track I am looking forward to running. I really enjoy Lime Rock. I have done a few track events there in a 355 Challenge car and was quick. Like Sebring, I hope to run well there.”
Cooper MacNeil, Hinsdale, Illinois, is new to the AJR stable and the series, but not to running upfront. Last year MacNeil won the National SCCA Touring 2 championship and finished second at the SCCA Runoffs at Road America.
“I am looking forward to the tough competition in the Patron Challenge Series,” MacNeil said. “All the cars are the same, so it really shows who can drive faster and race smarter. I am also really looking forward to working with Alex and running with Mike Schein. Road America is my home track and I love driving there. It should be fun in the Porsche. I also plan to compete in the SCCA National series in the WeatherTech/Fall-Line BMW M3 in 2011 as well.”
Team owner Alex Job has to two young and hungry drivers that will be fixtures at the front of the Patron Challenge field.
“We had a very successful year in 2010 with Michael,” Job said. “He showed a lot of speed and we really worked with him on his race-craft. He has set the goal of winning the championship and we are ready to support that goal. Cooper is also a young fast guy with a lot of racing experience. I see these guys going head-to-head and bringing out the best in each other. It is our job to provide the best prepared Porsche and let them have at it. I think it is going to be very exciting – to say the least.”
The Patron GT3 Challenge by Yokohama series will start its season on March 17 at Sebring International Raceway. The series runs two 45-minute races per weekend. The cars are identical Porsche 997 GT3 Cup cars.
2011 Patron GT3 Challenge by Yokohama Schedule:
March 16-19, Sebring International Raceway, FL
May dates to be added
July 8-9, Lime Rock Park, CT
July 22-24, Mosport International Raceway, Canada
August 18-20, Road America, WI
September 15-18, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, CA
September 29- October 1, Road Atlanta, GA
Source: Alex Job Racing
