September 21st, 2010
by Dave Arnold/Arnold Communications 607.562.2165
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 • September 21st, 2010 • Heinricy's IsoTorque Phoenix Performance Corvette Ready for SCCA Runoffs Corvette vs Ferrari vs Dodge Viper battle hightlights annual event 
In six of the seven times John Heinricy raced a Chevrolet Corvette in the Sports Car Club of America’s prestigious National Championship Runoffs, he has won his class in the Club’s most-prestigious event. National Champion Scott Tucker defends his 2009 title this year with a Ferrari, but Heinricy has returned to the T1 class with the IsoTorque Phoenix Performance Corvette C6 to challenge both Tucker, and John Buttermore, who finished third in 2009 in a Corvette, but who has now armed himself with a 10-cylinder Dodge Viper. Joe Aquilante’s Phoenix Performance LLC., group from Phoenixville, Pa., built the IsoTorque Corvette C6 for Heinricy, updating it to 2010 LS3 Grand Sports specifications. The Runoffs, held on the legendary 4.048-mile Road America circuit near Elkhart Lake, Wis., have qualifying al this week. The Touring 1 class race will take the green flag at 9:30am ET on Sunday, Sept. 26. The weekend’s events will be broadcast live on the internet at www.Speedcasttv.com, including the T-1 race Sunday at 9:30am ET Heinricy, of Holly, MI, is a retired General Motors executive, whose name has long been associated with ultra-high performance cars, notably Corvettes. In 241 professional sports car races since 1984, he has raced a GM-powered car 239 of those races. His 11 Runoffs wins, the most of all active SCCA drivers, came in race-prepared Corvettes, Camaros, Firebirds and Cobalts, and in four Runoffs classes. He also has two Road America wins in pro series races. Heinricy did a Runoffs tuneup weekend at Road America’s famous June Sprints weekend, winning the T-1 class. "This championship-winning program is the result of a good blend of top-shelf car preparation by the Phoenix Performance crew, hopefully my driving experience and skill, and technical and financial support from Torvec – the manufacturer of the IsoTorque differential we use," Heinricy said. Heinricy is a consultant to Torvec, in Rochester, N.Y., helping the company develop the IsoTorque differential, which will be available in the first quarter of 2011 for fifth and sixth generation Corvettes, and an application for fifth generation Camaros. The Phoenix Performance/IsoTorque Corvette project also receives technical and product assistance, from Hoosier Tire, Rockland Standard Gear, Ron Davis Racing Radiators, ARP fasteners, CCW wheels, SKF Wheel Bearings, Brembo brakes, Hawk brake pads, and GMPartshouse.com. "The car itself isn't the only component vital to giving yourself the best odds for the Runoffs," Heinricy said. "Road America has many 90-degree turns with heavy braking going into them from high speeds. Without the best wheel bearings, brake components and tires, you’re short-changing yourself and your team." - end -
About Phoenix Performance: Phoenix Performance, Inc., owned by Joe Aquilante, is based in a 32,000 sq. ft. race shop in Phoenixville, PA, 40 miles west of downtown Philadelphia. Phoenix Performance-prepared cars have won 18 SCCA National Club Racing Championships since 1999, two professional series Driver and Manufacturer Championships, and the GM Motorsports Winner’s Circle Award. For more information, call 610-482-0141 or visit www.phoenixperformanceinc.com and www.phoenixperformance.net About Torvec: Torvec is a leader in advanced driveline technology. Torvec’s IsoTorque differential is an evolution in differential design, allowing for maximum traction without interfering with differentiation, resulting in improved performance, handling and safety. Evaluations by four separate racing teams have all shown a reduction in lap times by one second with just installing the IsoTorque. The IsoTorque’s fully patented gear design makes this all possible without the need for complex and costly electronics and is good for the life of the vehicle. The IsoTorque is currently being evaluated by several major OEMs and will be available in the fall of 2010 for all C5 – C6 Corvettes and 5th generation Camaros. For more information on Torvec and IsoTorque please visit Torvec.com About John Heinricy: Between 1984 and 2010, John Heinricy has won 42 professional sports car races and four season driving championships, 11 SCCA Runoffs National Championships, helped set a dozen international speed records, and currently holds two class records for laps around the 12.9-mile Nordschleife circuit of Germany’s famous Nürburgring. He is retired after 38 years as an engineer at General Motors. |