SARAH CATTANEO SIGNED BY C360R FOR REMAINDER OF GRAND-AM SEASON

 

Former BMW and Mini pilot will co-drive #77 HPD Honda Civic Si starting at Watkins Glen

(Watkins Glen, NY) -- Compass360 Racing (C360R) today announced the addition of driver Sarah Cattaneo to the team's four-car effort in Grand Am's Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge. Cattaneo will pilot the #77 Honda Performance Development Civic Si for the remainder of the 2012 season, including this weekend's race at the Watkins Glen International track.

"I'm really excited that we've been able to add Sarah to our already strong driver line-up," noted C360R Team Principal Karl Thomson. "She has been quick in the Mini and I think she'll be a natural in the Honda."

Phoenix, AZ native Cattaneo will co-drive with Seattle, WA's James Colborn at Watkins Glen. She holds the distinction of being the only woman to have won pole position in the series, a feat she managed at New Jersey's Thunderbolt race track last year.

"Compass360 is one of the teams I've always respected and I am so thrilled to be driving one of their Hondas!" said Cattaneo. "They're always in championship contention and know how to win races. I'm looking forward to adapting to the Civic and to working with James and the whole team."

This weekend will mark the last race for the current #77 car, which is the lone 2011-spec sedan in the team's Grand-Am fleet. Starting at Indianapolis in July the team will add a fourth and final 2012 coupe to the line-up. "We're hoping to give the 2011 a good send-off at Watkins," noted Thomson. "This particular car won the 2009 Street Tuner Championship with Christian Miller."

Ray Mason and Ryan Eversley, who currently sit fourth in the championship standings, in the #75 Columbus Truck Honda head to Watkins Glen with good momentum after finishing sixth at Road America the week prior. The #74 Bellissima Be Beautiful / Speed Secrets Civic Si of Andrew Novich and Adam Burrows is also well-placed, lying ninth and just a handful of points back from fifth. John Kuitwaard and 2010 ST Champion David Thilenius in the #76 Metropolitan Foods Honda will look to put some bad luck in the last few rounds behind them at Kuitwaard's home track.

The green flag drops on the Watkins Glen round of the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge on Saturday June 30th at 3:00pm. It will be broadcast, tape-delayed, on SPEED. Live timing will be available at http://grand-am.com.