SONOMA, Calif. (August 26, 2006) -- Wolf Henzler and Robin Liddell scored their third Rolex Series GT class victory of the season in the Sonoma 250 at Infineon Raceway, and head into next weekend's season-finale at Miller Motorsports Park just eight points behind No. 65 TRG/F1 Air Pontiac GTO.R co-drivers Andy Lally and Marc Bunting in the standings, with nine hours of racing to decide the 2006 champions.

Liddell started from the class pole and led throughout his opening stint. The Scot handed control to Henzler during a Lap 22 caution, eventually climbing back into the cockpit for the finish. Liddell inherited the lead again on Lap 83 when Lally had to take the No. 65 machine down pit road for fuel, and held off a late charge after a full-course caution period to score the third victory of the year for the Tafel Racing Porsche.

"I didn't really make a fantastic start, but I was able to make the correct line on the first turn," said Liddell. "After two laps, my lead was completely gone with a little bit of understeer. The track was extremely difficult to manage today. It's very twisty and on the straights, there was really only one good line. The Daytona Prototypes did a great job today, and was able to avoid any issues. We were able to pull away a little bit in the traffic, which ultimately was the difference."

Liddell and Henzler swept the GT races in California this season, also winning in the U.S. Sports Car Invitational at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in May. With the victory, and the second-place finish by the No. 65 machine, Liddell and Henzler stand just eight markers behind Lally and Bunting in the standings with one race remaining on the schedule (474-466).

"It's a great win for us today," said Henzler. "The team has worked really hard to come back in this race. Everything was pretty perfect today and now we're back in the championship race. We got shuffled back because a few cars stayed out on the early yellows, but we were able to get back to the front. It was a good finish for the points and it will be a good fight for the championship at Miller."

The runner-up finish by Lally and Bunting was the 10th podium of the finish for the Petaluma, Calif.-based TRG machine. Bunting qualified sixth and gave control to Lally during a full-course caution period. Lally led a total of 12 laps late in the race, but surrendered the lead when he was forced to come down pit lane for fuel.

"I had a good start," Bunting said. "The car was really handling well and I was able to move-up. Andy did a great job and was able to lead some laps. We had a good clean run today and scored maximum points. Unfortunately the (No.) 72 car had a better day and won the race. That tightens up the points going into the last race in Utah."

"Marc did a good job to have a really uneventful stint," Lally added. "He turned the car over to me in excellent shape up toward the front of the field. Traffic was really tough today, the DP cars were all over and some of the GT guys were not too polite. We steered clear of all of the mayhem and came home second. I really didn't have anything for the (No.) 72 car at the end because we developed a loose condition. Utah is going to be exciting in just seven days."

David Murry and Leh Keen finished third in the No. 80 Shoes For Crews Porsche GT3, the best finish for the duo since Round 2 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, a runner-up result. Burt Frisselle and Tommy Kendall finished fourth in the No. 98 Ironclad/Wine Country Motorsports Pontiac GTO.R, followed by Eric Lux and Ian James in the No. 74 Rembrandt Charms Porsche GT3. The No. 74 machine improved five positions from its 10th-place starting position, earning the SunTrust "Improve Your Position" Award in the GT class.

Original article and photo at www.grandamerican.com .