C360R SIGNS ASCHENBACH AND THILENIUS FOR 2010

Compass360 Racing today released details on their second season-long driver pairing in Grand-Am’s Continental Sports Car Challenge. Long-time Grand-Am competitor David Thilenius will share the team’s #74 Honda Civic Si with Lawson Aschenbach.

C360R won all three Grand-Am Street Tuner championships (Team, Driver and Manufacturer) in 2009, and these signings represent the commitment the team has in its championship defense.

Thilenius has raced in Grand-Am since 2005, most recently with Bill Fenton’s Honda program, and his racing resume dates back to Formula Mazda in 1987. His career has includes seasons and wins in Grand Am Continental Sports Car Challenge, Formula Mazda, F1600, F2000 and the Firehawk Endurance Championship.

Aschenbach’s resume features Grand-Am podium results, including a Daytona KONI win in 2009. He drove for the General Motors factory Team Cadillac program in 2007, won the SPEED World Challenge GT Championship in 2006 and has been a part of four manufacturer’s championships, including Chevrolet’s KONI title in 2008.

Thilenius and Aschenbach join Zach Lutz and Ryan Eversley as team-mates in the iconic bright-orange C360R Honda Civic Si sedans.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to add two more top drivers to our team,” said Team Principal Karl Thomson. “Dave’s been one of the guys I’ve wanted to have drive with us for years, and Lawson really kept us on our toes last season when he drove the Cobalt. These two guys have both stood on the top step of the podium and know what it takes to win races and a championship. By combining them with Ryan and Zach, I think we’ve got the best driver line-up in the paddock.”

Compass360 Racing made history last year by being the first team to sweep the podium, with a dominant performance at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Not only did they win the Grand-Am Championship triple-crown but also took third in both the Driver’s and Team points, once again being the first in the series ever to do so.

“I enjoyed driving for Bill Fenton the last three years,” explained Thilenius. ” I spent way too much of that time chasing these orange cars, so I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to race for Compass360 with a great co-driver like Lawson. Lawson has been quick in everything he’s ever driven. We have a great team behind us and a championship-quality car in the Civic, so I’m looking forward to a great season.”

For his part, Aschenbach was equally excited. “I had such a strong start to the year in 2009, and Compass360 was the team to beat. It was always neck-in-neck. So it’s amazing to be here to go for the championship with David. I’m really looking forward to driving the Honda at Daytona and to notching some more wins for the team.”

Grand Am’s Continental Sports Car Challenge starts its year early with Test Days at Daytona in early January. The series first race is on January 29th, as part of the Roar Before the 24 in support of the Rolex 24 Hours of Dayona, and will be televised, tape-delayed on SPEED TV.

Compass360 has been on the podium at the season-opener every year since 2007, and hopes to continue that tradition in 2010.