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Media Release: Andy Scott Lives The American Dream At Charlotte Motor Speedway

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Charlotte Motor Speedway, North Carolina (USA) – Tuesday, May 22, 2012: Scott-Eklund Racing Team Principal and driver, Andy Scott realised his American dream today, Tuesday, May 22, after 34 years of waiting, with the first official shakedown test ahead of the opening Global Rallycross Championship round at the famed Charlotte Motor Speedway, North Carolina.

The Scott-Eklund Racing Saab 9-3 cycled through five three-lap stints around the 0.77-mile custom-built asphalt course, comprising eight turns, a chicane along the straightaway, and a unique water feature. Four-time Rally America champion Travis Pastrana in the Dodge Dart, and Ken Block in the Monster World Rally Team Ford Fiesta completed the select field running for the first time at Charlotte.

In the hands of Scott, the fledgling team – now based at the Champion Racing Headquarters building in Pompano Beach, Florida – saw the fruits of its tireless development programme suitably rewarded with the latest parts equalling expectations.

The team’s next on-track session at 18.00 on Friday will be the final practice run prior to the seeding session at 20.00, which will define the Heat grids for Saturday’s opening GRC round starting at 18.45.

For 55 year-old Scott, Scott-Eklund Racing’s first official GRC track action realises a 34-year dream to race in America. A scallop fisherman from Dumfries, the Scotsman has worked his entire life to build his Scott Trawlers business to support his racing ambitions.

Today, Scott Trawlers is one of the UK’s leading specialist suppliers of fresh and frozen-at-sea King Scallops. Founded by Andy over 20 years ago, the business has grown from a one vessel owner-managed concern to a multi vessel operation running some of the UK’s biggest scallop dredgers.

The family-run company now employs a second generation of Scotts. Although Andy himself no longer goes to sea, three of his sons – Marc, Jack and Ric – work aboard the state-of-the-art trawlers while son Ben is Company Secretary.

A return to racing in 2009 after 22 years building the business has seen Andy rapidly rise through the rallycross ranks in Britain and Europe, culminating in the British Rallycross Championship Vice Champion crown in 2011. Now, with the foundation of Scott-Eklund Racing with multiple Swedish rally and rallycross champion Per Eklund allows Scott to set his sights on achieving his ultimate ambition to net the Global Rallycross Championship title.

Round one of the series will be staged following the HISTORY 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series Race on Saturday, May 26, as part of the Coca-Cola 600 race weekend. Heats start from 18.45 with the main race taking place at 20.25 EDT. (All timings are provisional and subject to change.) Race fans can catch the action live on ESPN 2 from 20.00.

Tickets for the HISTORY 300 and Global Rallycross double-header start at $25. Children 13 and under are admitted free. To purchase tickets, call the Charlotte Motor Speedway Ticket Office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

Andy Scott, Scott-Eklund Racing Team Principal & driver:

“It’s a great feeling to finally get on-track ahead of the first Global Rallycross Championship round. I’m really pleased with the car’s performance during the five test runs today and it’s great to see the fruition of our recent development work. The car gets better and better with every session and although we are yet to experience the full course set-up, we are positive ahead of the big event.

“Racing here at the famed Charlotte Motor Speedway, it finally feels like my dream is coming true. You can already get a measure of the atmosphere that will be here on Saturday night.”

Per Eklund, Scott-Eklund Racing Technical Director:

“Today’s test has proved extremely positive for the Scott-Eklund Racing Saab 9-3. All of the developments since our last test three weeks ago are working perfectly. We have some small adjustments to make, but we already know where we are going with the set-up for Friday’s final test and seeding session.

“Andy was very strong today, with our private timing showing him as fastest on several runs, so we are very pleased with our progress.”

-Ends-

Scott-Eklund Racing Press Office:

Emma Spearing: +44 (0)7736 341828 | emma@scott-eklundracing.com

Cathy Metcalfe: +44 (0)7802 332398 | cathy@scott-eklundracing.com

Tags:

Charlotte Motor Speedway GRC Scottish Andy Scott Dumfries Global RallyCross Championship Saab 9-3 Scott-Eklund Racing

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Quotes

“It’s a great feeling to finally get on-track ahead of the first Global Rallycross Championship round. I’m really pleased with the car’s performance during the five test runs today and it’s great to see the fruition of our recent development work. The car gets better and better with every session and although we are yet to experience the full course set-up, we are positive ahead of the big event. Racing here at the famed Charlotte Motor Speedway, it finally feels like my dream is coming true. You can already get a measure of the atmosphere that will be here on Saturday night.”
Andy Scott, Scott-Eklund Racing Team Principal & driver
“Today’s test has proved extremely positive for the Scott-Eklund Racing Saab 9-3. All of the developments since our last test three weeks ago are working perfectly. We have some small adjustments to make, but we already know where we are going with the set-up for Friday’s final test and seeding session. Andy was very strong today, with our private timing showing him as fastest on several runs, so we are very pleased with our progress.”
Per Eklund, Scott-Eklund Racing Technical Director