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Forest Makes Daytona Prototype Debut

May 20, 2009

"What an experience, it was great fun! Getting to make my debut at the highest level of endurance sports car racing at Laguna Seca; I’ll remember that forever". Mike Forest said after the 2 hour 45 minute race this past weekend in Monterey, California.

With teammate Ricky Taylor helping get Edmonton native Mike Forest up to speed in the 500 horsepower Daytona Prototype; the pair proved quite dynamic. Forest brought track knowledge to Taylor who had never raced at Laguna Seca; while Taylor shed light on the car Forest had never driven.

With a solid qualifying effort by Taylor the #13 Lennox/Braches/Dynacor Media car started 8th in the 4th event of the Rolex Grand American Sports Car series. Taylor immediately advanced the car on the start and after an early pit stop he got it up to 5th position keeping pace with the leaders for 35 laps.

On lap 63 the Beyer Racing Team performed the driver change to get Forest behind the wheel to finish the race. Forest rejoined the race in 11th position and within four laps had advanced up to 9th. With a slight change to the car’s anti-roll bar (the only adjustment available to drivers) Forest ran within a half second of Taylor’s fast lap. There Forest held off several veteran Grand Am drivers for a number of laps. But with just over 30 minutes to go in the race the throttle cable broke; forcing Forest to idle around the track eventually getting back to the garage. A quick replacement performed by the crew allowed Forest to get back out to claim a 14th finishing position.

"The Beyer Racing team was great to work with. They kept improving the car through the weekend, which allowed me to build my confidence with the car. Over the course of the weekend, I kept chipping away at the areas where I could improve and slowly closed the gap between me and the more experienced drivers. I must thank everyone at Beyer Racing for the memorable weekend and for getting me back out, giving me the opportunity to do the final 7 laps & continue learning the car" Forest said of his weekend.

"Mike's was better than expected in his first outing in a DP (Daytona Prototype) car. I was very happy with Mike’s performance and I feel he has great promise in helping to improve our team and use his experience to help some of the younger drivers," said team Owner, Jeff Beyer. The weekend also featured the debut of the #5 Honda powered Riley as the sister car at Beyer Racing. It showed promise with drivers Jordon Taylor & Jared Beyer. While the Honda power plant proved reliable, the fuel system was not. Their race was cut short due to an issue with the fuel system, forcing them to retire from the race on lap 8.

Next up for Forest will be the June 6th 'Sahlen's 6 Hour's of the Glen' at the famed Watkins Glen raceway in upstate New York. SPEED Channel will provide live flag to flag coverage starting at 12pm M.S.T. on June 6th. Forest has been invited back to run the #13 Lennox/Braches/Dynacor Media car, this time paired with brothers Ricky & Jordon Taylor.

For more on the weekends race visit www.mikeforestracing.com

Schedule/TV Times


  • Porsche 250 - Apr 9 - 10, 2010

    Barber Motorsports Park

  • Bosch Engineering 250 - Apr 23 - 24, 2010

    Virginia International Raceway

  • Lime Rock Park - May 28 - 31, 2010

    Lakeville, CT