Lynx endure 'character building' Atlantic weekend.

The fourth round of the 2003 Toyota Atlantic championship at Laguna Seca last weekend was not kind to Lynx Racing, who watched new signing Bryan Sellers have his race ruined on the first lap and the seriously poorly Michael Valiante fail to take the start.

Last year's USFF2000 Champion Sellars, 20, of Centerville, Ohio, qualified 8th for his first-ever Toyota Atlantic race, but his chances of moving up to battle with the leaders were dashed when a first-lap melee - caused by DSTP driver Joey Hand hitting the wall - resulted in Seller's car being hit from behind by the car of Danica Patrick.

The incident put Patrick out of the race, but Sellers was able to continue back to the pits where the team made repairs and he was able to re-join the race several laps down. He was ultimately credited with an 11th-place finish after completing 22 of the 30 laps.

"I was looking at clear track and had a chance to get through the carnage without damage when I was suddenly hit from behind by Danica," said Sellers, driver of the #17 Lynx Racing / 3 Dimensional Services / Drive4USA Swift 014.a. "Her left front wheel rode up over my right rear, and she got the worst of it, but I had to pit for repairs. Once that happened, we decided to treat the race as a test session and we made several more stops for adjustments. I'd rather have had a chance to race for a good finish, but the day wasn't a total waste as we did get some good running time and some useful data that should help us at the next race."

Seller's teammate, pre-season title favourite Michael Valiante contracted a stomach flu that affected several other drivers and a number of Lynx team members. His symptoms were so severe that he was admitted to the CART medical facility at the track where, after consultation between doctors and Lynx team members, he was finally given an anti-nausea medication. This medication contained a sedative, which, by CART Toyota Atlantic rules, prevented him from driving in the race.

"I feel terrible, both literally and for all the effort the team put in this weekend to give me a good car," said Valiante. "If there had been any way to just endure the discomfort and drive, I would have, but the symptoms were so severe it was impossible. Other drivers and members of the Lynx team who had the same problem seem to recover in about 48 hours, so I'm certain I'll be fit and ready to go next weekend."

The race was won by RuSport driver A.J. Allmendinger, followed by Ryan Dalziel and Jonathan Macri. The next event on the calendar is the G.I. Joe's 200 at Portland International Raceway on June 21st.