Photo Caption: The Subaru Road Racing Team cars lead a pack of competitors during Saturday’s Grand-Am KONI Challenge series race at Watkins Glen, N.Y. Co-drivers Kris Skavnes, Sparta, N.J., and Chuck Hemmingson, Des Moines, Ia., now lead the series Drivers’ Championship points.




Watkins Glen, NY – July 5, 2008   Chuck Hemmingson, of Des Moines, Ia., and co-driver Kristian Skavnes, Sparta, N.J., used a strong fifth place finish in the Grand-Am KONI Challenge series road race at Watkins Glen International to vault themselves into the lead for the series Drivers’ Championship points.

Their “ride” that got them there, the ICY / Phoenix-prepared #143 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT spec.B race car, moved Subaru into a tie for third place in the valuable Manufacturer’s Championship points chase.

Finishing 10th in the 45-car Street Tuner class were their teammates, David Rosenblum, Langhorne, Pa., and co-driver Andrew Aquilante, Chester Springs, Pa.

“What the Subaru Road Racing Team performed Friday night and today is nothing short of a miracle,” said Joe Aquilante, Rosenblum’s partner in the ownership and management of ICY / Phoenix, which prepares the cars.

“We changed the engines from both cars late last night as a preventive measure, which would normally be more than enough work,” added Aquilante. “But our #111 car, in a senseless warm-up incident this morning, was caught up in another driver’s crash. The damage was repairable, but we decided to enter our spare race car instead. The job the crew did in the paddock getting these cars ready, and the job they did in the pits with our well-timed pit stops, made all the difference.”

Motorsports marketing manager for Subaru of America, Inc., James Han, expressed his agreement with Aquilante. “I’ve always been confident in the abilities of our drivers and crew, but the perseverance and commitment in getting our race cars fully prepped in such short turn-around and bringing home both Subaru Legacy cars in the top 10 was really something special to witness. After experiencing their ‘never give up’ attitude, our race finish feels more like a win. Leading the drivers’ points is a great bonus.”

The Subaru Road Racing Team is sponsored by Subaru of America, Inc., Subaru Tecnica International (STI), Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT), Subaru Indiana Automotive, Inc. (SIA), Automotive Racing Products, Lista, Rotary Lifts, JRZ, EcuTek, Perrin, Cusco, Carbonetic, Hawk Brakes, Quarter Master Industries, Disc Brakes Australia, Freem, and Racing Radios. The cars are prepared by ICY/Phoenix Racing.

About ICY/Phoenix
Based in Phoenixville, Pa., ICY/Phoenix is a collaborative partnership between Dave Rosenblum (ICY Racing) and Joe Aquilante (Phoenix Performance) which has over 70 years of cumulative racing experience. This organization represents the factory Subaru effort as the Subaru Road Racing Team (SRRT) in the 2008 Grand-Am KONI Challenge Series. The team's 4000 sq. ft. race shop is located approximately 35 miles northwest of downtown Philadelphia. Drivers Chuck Hemmingson, Dave Rosenblum, Kristian Skavnes, Andrew Aquilante and Don Knowles race two Legacy 2.5GT spec.B cars. Last season, ICY/Phoenix celebrated a winning year, finishing the season with one pole position and two ST Class wins in six races. For more information about the team and the cars, go to www.ICYRacing.com or call Dave Rosenblum at (215) 801-7827; or Joe Aquilante at (610) 482-0141.

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Skavnes, Hemmingson Take Grand-Am KONI Series Points Lead at Watkins Glen

-Subaru moves up to second in chase for manufacturers’ title-

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