[Shotimes] OT SHO friend gets pole at weekend RA event

[Donald Mallinson]

Many of you know my good friend Mike Benet from our adventure together 
in the One Lap in 1996, and he has also helped out at Blackhawk Farms 
SHO events and this year at Putnam Park.

Mike is a pro quality driver that never got the big financial backing to 
be a paid ride. A real shame, because every time he tested, he was at 
the top or THE top driver to test, but just couldn't bring the big bucks 
or get the attention of the rich teams.  He still holds many track 
records at tracks like Road America in Wisconsin.

Well, he hasn't driven a pro-race in several years, he now runs a very 
successful import car repair garage in Peoria, IL, and he got the chance 
to drive a pro 944 Porsche over the weekend at Road America in a 3 hour 
enduro.

The owner wanted someone to give the car a chance to win while letting 
the owner get the glory.  Seems Mike still knows his way around that 
track as he was on the pole in a class of SEVENTY cars!

He had a substantial lead when the first pit stop and driver change 
came, and the stop took 20 extra seconds and they lost the lead.  The 
other driver wasn't able to make it up, and Mike wasn't given quite 
enough time to bring the car back, but they still finished a very close 
second.  Not bad for getting into a race car for the first time in 
several years.

I am just proud of what Mike has accomplished, he is kind of an adopted 
son, and very good friend.  I know many of you have met him, and thought 
you might like to hear how he did.

Don Mallinson