PETALUMA, Calif. (April 15, 2009) - TRG Drivers Josemanuel Gutierrez and Scott Schroeder are teaming up in the No. 68 Cohen Financial / TRG Porsche GT3 for the April 25, 2009 Bosch Engineering 250 at VIR, as well as the majority of the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 GT Season.
Gutierrez has class victories in PCA, SCCA, NASA and Porsche Driver Cup events. After his numerous past successes, Gutierrez stepped up to the professional level in 2008, running five races in the Grand-Am Rolex Series GT Class. In 2009, Gutierrez made his Rolex 24 At Daytona debut, finishing in the Top-15.
This will be Gutierrez’s first visit to the Danville, Va. road course.
“VIR is especially challenging for me as this will be the first time I race there. Scott and I drove in the 68 at the Rolex 24 this year, that was the second time we were able to compete together”, Gutierrez said. “He is very young and has tremendous talent. I am proud to share the car with him at several upcoming Rolex races. Our driving styles compliment each other well, we have excellent communication, We’re currently 14th in the points series standings, and I believe we have an excellent chance of moving up even higher at VIR.”
Schroeder, a California native and a second-generation driver for TRG, began his racing career in Formula BMW before taking the wheel of a TRG Porsche. “TRG is the place to be, they have put the best people in the industry together to help make the success on the track possible,” said Schroeder.
“I am very excited to be driving with Josemanuel.” Schroeder said, “I have been coaching him for the last two years and have seen him make great improvements. He is very determined to learn and succeed and I see us having a successful year ahead.”
TRG Team Principal, Kevin Buckler, is excited to see Schroeder and Gutierrez in the No. 68 again.
“Scott has been with us for years, and it has been a privilege to help him obtain his dream of becoming a professional driver in the Rolex Series,” Buckler said. “Pairing him with Josemanuel is a natural fit, both are fast, smart, and know how to bring the car home in a top position, I expect nothing but the best from the 68 in Virginia and beyond. This will be a strong team and a terrific driver pairing.”
The race will be televised live on SPEED beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 25. Live Timing & Scoring data is also available on www.grand-am.com.
Scott Schroeder is a professional race car driver entering his third year of competition with TRG. At only 20 years old, Scott has already earned one win, one pole position, and holds multiple track records in the KONI Sports Car Challenge. Scott also attends Menlo College full time, studying business administration. When not competing in Grand-Am or local PCA races, Scott provides comprehensive driver coaching services. For more information, visitwww.scottschroederracing.com.