ALMS: Abu Dhabi driver Al Masaood in top form in Lime Rock debut with his Oryx Racing team

Oryx Racing during qualifying at ALMS Lime Rock- Images Courtesy of Regis Lefebure

Lakeville, CT July 8, 2011 – Dyson Racing put an exclamation point on its return to running two cars with a lock on the front row for tomorrow’s American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix, their home race.  Chris Dyson qualified the #16 G-OIL ModSpace/Contstruct Corps Lola Mazda LMP1 he shares with Guy Smith on pole while new comer Humaid Al Masaood and Steven Kane were second, two tenths back in the #20 Oryx Racing Lola Mazda LMP1.

“I’m so happy. It’s great to be here at our home race,” said Dyson, who claimed his second career overall ALMS pole position. “We have a lot of friends and family here who are cheering us on. So you don’t want to send them home disappointed.”

Humaid Al Masaood - Oryx Racing

This is the first race for the #20 entry with Abu Dhabi born Humaid Al Masaood and Brit Steven Kane as they prepare to run the remaining seven races of the ALMS season, and the team’s first one-two qualifying effort since Portland of 2006.

“We are very fortunate to have been able to add Humaid and Steven to our line-up for the rest of the year,” said Dyson. “I was impressed from day one with both of them. Humaid has shown a very levelheaded focus to his racing along with good car craft and Steven showed the fans here today how much talent he has. He saw the track for the first time yesterday.”

“It is fantastic to be here,” said Kane. “I have always seen the track on TV back in the UK and finally being able to race here is an amazing experience. It reminds me of Brands Hatch in the UK where it is a short lap. It has great atmosphere and is a real driver’s track.”

“Today’s effort is a credit to the cars that the team put under us,” added Dyson. “The Mazda MZR-R engine keeps on getting better and better thanks to the hard work of everybody at AER. We can’t say enough about the work Dunlop has been putting in. The Dunlop tires gave us the extra margin today. And everyone at Lola has been working flat out to make sure we are properly supported here. I am very happy that we could welcome Humaid and Steven to the series and our home track with both cars side by side and our main competition behind us. I am very happy for them.”

Oryx car waits for pitlane to open

Steven Kane is celebrating his honeymoon at Lime Rock. “I just got married last Friday and my new wife and I got on a plane Monday morning to come here. She loves it here and it is a nice way to start off a marriage.”

Chris Dyson qualified first in the #16 G-OIL ModSpace/Contstruct Corps Lola Mazda

Friday’s qualifying