 |
|
 |
| Through The Esses - Chris Dyson - One Season Down, One Championship To Come |
|
|
|
Photo by Andrew S. Hartwell
|
© Andrew S. Hartwell
Fans of sportscar racing in North America are very familiar with the name Dyson Racing. Rob Dyson started it all over thirty years ago and his son Chris has since taken over the reigns of what is arguably the most successful family-run sportscar team in history. They have remained a significant force in road racing all these years, and their history is ripe with successes they achieved once they had traveled along the learning curve that comes with running a new car.
Over the last 12 years, the team has started a new season four times where the chassis of choice was new to the team in that season. And in each case, once they had enough time to develop those cars and get them up to speed, they went on to win.
The legacy of excellence started in 1994 when Rob Dyson wanted an American built car that could go up against the then-new Ferrari 333SP and win. He went to master car builders Riley & Scott and asked them to build a car that could do the job with an American powerplant. That car became the R&S MKIII, designed by Bob Riley, and Dyson Racing took it to an unprecedented level of success (36 race wins in Can-Am/USRRC and the ALMS) that lasted for many years.
For the 2002 season, with the MKIII warhorse already having thrived far beyond the life span of any previous prototype, Dyson Racing campaigned a brand new Lola - MG EX257 prototype in the ALMS 675 class. In just the team's second year with the car, Chris Dyson won the class championship. In 2004 they made the changes needed to move the car up a notch into the LMP1 class and that led to team drivers James Weaver and Butch Leitzinger finishing second in the LMP1 championship. The following year, it was Chris Dyson who finished second in the driver's championship.
It is important to note that, in those years, the era of the dominate Audi RS8 factory prototype was already in full swing. The accomplishments of the Dyson Racing organization against such a formidable competitor simply set the bar for every other private team out there. And with the exception of the stellar performance of the Roger Penske Racing organization this season, who else has even come close?
For the 2006 American Le Mans Series season, the team made another change, this time switching to Lola's latest chassis, the BO6/10, running with engines supplied by AER. The first half of that season found them staring frustration in the face time and time again as an assortment of ailments seemed to have taken up residence within that chassis. As the season went on, appropriate exorcisms - performed by team members using determination, experience and perseverance - drove out many of the demons. The team would then go on to have its drivers finish second and third in the season championship.
In 2007, Dyson racing decided to go in a fantastically different direction with yet another new car to sort out and become familiar with. This time, however, the car was a Porsche. A pair of brand new Porsche RS Spyders was delivered to the team almost within moments of the season-opening ALMS round at Sebring. With no real time to test, the team jumped into it with both feet running and they have been playing catch up with the Penske team all season ever since.
You see, Penske had their cars a full year before Rob Dyson's team. But now, Dyson Racing too has had their car for a year, and that can only mean one thing -the 2008 ALMS season will be nothing short of terrific with two of the most successful racing teams in the history of the sport going head to head in identical race cars.
Good things come to those who wait.
We spent some time with Chris Dyson recently to review the team's learning curve with the Spyders, and to hear what plans lay ahead to further solidify Dyson Racing's standing as one of the greatest race teams of all time. Happily we can tell you that fans can once again expect to see the beautiful blue and white Thetford-Norcold colors fla
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
 |
|
