VANCOUVER, WA - Team KBR started their 2014 US Majors Tour effort strong at Thunderhill Raceway, with a race win, a track record, and 4 podiums.
Team KBR's Kyle Keenan re-set the B-Spec Qualifying Track Record in the early laps of qualifying, followed by Derrick Ambrose, and Teammate Heinz Hammes.
Making his SCCA Majors debut was Heinz Hammes of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Driving the #85 SBOX Engineering/Team KBR Mazda 2, Heinz adapted to the car quickly, looking very comfortable on Thunderhill's 2.86 mile long road course. After qualifying 3rd, Heinz and Derrick passed Kyle into Turn 1 on the race. Kyle would rebound to take the lead on Lap 2 as traffic slowed Derrick.
Using traffic from the mixed run group, Kyle built a gap on Ambrose, but towards the two would battle door to door the last two laps. In Turn 9 on the last lap, Derrick attempted a late brake on the inside, and Kyle returned the favor on corner exit with a textbook over-under pass. Derrick was able to get a run coming to start finish, however it was not enough, as Kyle finished ahead by a bumper. Not too far behind, Heinz held on for a 3rd place finish, his first podium finish!
"I could tell Derrick was pushing hard, and I was doing everything I could to keep our Kia Motors of America/Dick Hannah Dealerships/Team KBR Kia Rio out front. Derrick made a move into Turn 9 and I got on the brakes early, anticipating he'd run a bit wide, which he did. Surprisingly, he saved it and we were door to door drag racing into Turn 10. By Turn 15, Derrick and I were side to side, with both of us leaning forward in our car as we raced to the checker." an emotional Kyle Keenan stated, "To be the first driver in history to win a US Majors event in a Kia is incredible. Our team has worked so hard this off-season and it really shows with the car's performance on track."
A very windy Race Two would see Kyle jump out front early, before a bobble would allow Derrick to pass for the lead. Kyle and Heinz drove smooth the rest of the race, recording 2 more podium finishes for the team.
"We're very satisfied with the performance of Team KBR this weekend." Team KBR's Kevin Keenan stated, "To get the first US Majors win for Kia Motors is fantastic, and we're very happy with how Kyle and Heinz are adapting to the B-Spec race cars. "
The next US Majors Tour event takes Team KBR to Pacific Raceways in Kent, Washington. Both Kyle and Heinz will be competing in B-Spec.
Team KBR would like to thank all of our marketing partners: Kia Motors of America, Kia Racing, Dick Hannah Dealerships, Kinetic Motorsports, SBOX Engineering, Hawk Performance, Mothers Polish, Sikk Shades, Bell Helmets, and Blairco Heating.