The Rolex GT class is enjoying a bit of a boom in ’06. One of the teams trying to make its mark in this highly competitive class is ASC Motorsports out of Tiffin, Ohio. We had the chance to ask driver and team founder Zach Arnold about the teams first season in Rolex GT competition, and what was in store for ASC in 2006.

Q: Last season was a solid effort for ASC. Do you feel the team met or exceeded its goals for 2005?

A: ‘05 was a learning year for us. We had some solid runs, and some bad luck. The overall results were a little disappointing, but realistically, it was a good year. We learned quite a bit that we are all looking forward to applying this season.

Q: With Pratt & Miller, Riley, Sabre, Crawford, PTG, and of course Porsche all offering customer chassis, what was the deciding factor in ASC ultimately striking out on it’s own?

A:It is something that I have always wanted to do. We decided to build our own cars shortly after the prep 2 rules were released, and at that time, Jim Harrell was the only other announced constructor.

A:You can say that again! We have made some huge gains in the performance of the chassis. We basically started over, without actually starting over. Cutting, welding, and reworking the chassis just trying different things. So far they have paid off, but we are not done yet, we’ll be trying different things all season long.

A: It’s really not that much different from the other races. Making sure everything absolutely right on the car, and that the team knows their every move is critical in any race.

Q: Will ASC run a full schedule this year, or will you pick and choose the races you enter; sort of like last year?

A: We would love to run the full season, but unfortunately we do not have the funding in place to do that just yet. As it stands now, we will run as many races as possible while working on funding for the rest.

Q: Last year you drove a Daytona Prototype at VIR. How did that deal come about, and could we see ASC or yourself involved with a DP sometime this season?

A: I have to thank Robert Chase and his team for the opportunity. That was something that Johnny Miller got me involved in and was a lot of fun. My objective was to learn a little about the cars and see if that may be a direction we want to go in the future. We are pretty well open ideas, and with the right opportunity we would certainly consider a change.

Q: With the season literally around the corner, what will you consider a successful 2006 campaign?

A: My goals for the season are to be competitive in every round with solid finishes. This is a podium quality team; we just need to prove it.

If the team’s Test Days performance was any indication, ASC should be sniffing at the podium all season long. Garra-fans.com would like to thank Zach Arnold for taking the time to speak with us. Best of luck to Zach and his crew this season.

Rich Hall
The Village, Jan. 18th 2006

Got comments on this article? Discuss it on the message board!