FATHER-SON DUO DEBUT IN TOP 10
AT SPEED WORLD CHALLENGE GT IN SEBRING
Brandon Davis, starting from the pole in his first race driving for his father’s ACS Express team, was anticipating a fast start when it began to rain on his parade.
Actually, the rain came on the parade lap and after a wet and shortened race, Davis had finished fourth and his father Mike Davis seventh in the SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge GT Championship season opener, part of the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring Presented by Fresh From Florida at Sebring International Raceway.
“It’s definitely good to come away with what we had this race considering the conditions,” said the 22-year-old son, who drove the #10 ACS/Sun Microsystems Ford Mustang Cobra. “Overall, we did very well as a team. On the flip side it would have been nice to see what we could have done in dry conditions.”
Mike Davis was running second place early when he spun his #11 ACS/Sun Microsystems Ford Mustang Cobra.
“We went with different strategies,” the 56-year-old father said. “Most people pitted early to get rain tires but we were hoping the rain would stop and the track would dry up, but that was not to be, unfortunately.
“So we decided to put wet tires on Brandon’s car and I would stay on the drys. I had two spins in the grass on the dry tires, but Brandon was able to work his way back through the field and give us a good finish.”
The younger Davis proved he is quite adept at driving the ACS Express Ford Mustang come dry conditions or high water. He was fastest in the event’s second practice session and in the combined time sessions, which was used to determine the pole. Then, after dropping all the way to 23rd after pitting for the wet tires after all other cars had switched, he picked his way back through the field to his fourth-place finish. All that was accomplished in just eight laps, which was quite an accomplishment.
“We made the call to pit a bit late but I almost caught back up with everyone,” Brandon Davis said.
It hardly put a damper on things as this was a very productive debut for the team.
“As I walk away, I’m feeling very positive,” said Mike Davis, who is also the team’s owner. “I’m very pleased – pleased with the car, pleased with the crew and pleased with the engine program. As the week went along, we had great camaraderie. Everybody’s personality meshes together and we’re all acting as one.
“I’m excited about the season as it unfolds.”
The next event is the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, April 18-20. 
In addition to its primary sponsors Sun Microsystems and Applied Computer Systems, ACS Express is supported by these associate sponsors: Red Line Oil and Mothers Polish and Wax.