Edison Lluch Honored by Press
WILTON, Ct. (Jan. 23, 2006) - Edison Lluch, the 2005 driving champion of the American GT Challenge racing series, finished third in a poll of international racing journalists voting for their driver of the year.
The 1,200-member Inter-American Federation of Automobile Journalists conducted the vote. The Federation includes members ranging from Canada to Chile.
Lluch placed higher in the balloting than open wheel stars Elio Castroneves (seventh) and Patrick Carpentier (10th). Only Formula One star Nelson Piquet Jr. of Brazil and Venezuela’s Ernesto Jose Viso got more votes than did Lluch.
“A Championship is something a team, driver, crew, sponsors, can win,” Lluch said. “A nomination, as that by FIPA, alongside so many other talented drivers, divided by country lines, racing different series and equipment, is a recognition by your peers and that is unique.”
Lluch, a veteran driver from Puerto Rico, finished to third in the voting because of his dominance in the American GT series 2005. The Challenge holds races featuring American cars such as Ford Mustangs and Chevrolet Corvettes and Camaros at racetracks in four nations.
Lluch added, “I have to say special thanks to my special wife Magda, family, team, sponsors, Goodyear and AGT. It was a long year full of excitements. I will be back next year with my son Edisito with a two car team to defend the championship.”
“What a pleasure it is to have such an intense competitor in the series”, commented series owner Woodson Duncan. “He races clean and hard which contributes to his immense popularity with other competitors and the fans”.
Lluch’s defense of his championship begins with the March 25 season opener at Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, S.C.
More information on the American GT Challenge or the American GT Road Racing Association is available at www.americangt.com.
