19.08.2004 The SfoW Maserati Trofeo Light was poised for its first podium finish of the Rolex Sports Car Series season, during the Sahlen’s 200 race at Watkins Glen International last Sunday

The SfoW Maserati Trofeo Light was poised for its first podium finish of the Rolex Sports Car Series season, during the Sahlen’s 200 race at Watkins Glen International last Sunday.

Then the lead-grey upstate New York skies suddenly opened in Biblical proportions 45 minutes into the two-hour race.

SFoW Maserati driver Steve Earle was one of eight drivers, a full 25% of the race’s starting field, who crashed within seconds of each other at the same turn. Only one Porsche driver however required a hospital check up.

Earle, who had planned to share the Maserati with Emil Assentato, was noticeably disappointed over what happened, but was resolute in his optimism.

“We had a solid third place run going when the skies opened-up,” he said. “Unfortunately, I hit the barriers, knocking off the rear wing and damaged a few other mechanical parts, then waited until all the crashing stopped”.

Assentato added that the team, working through crew chief Glen Marquis, had uncovered a few additional horses under the hood.

Because the historic 2.45-mile road course was still quite wet following the second practice session on Thursday, Grand-Am officials cancelled qualifying for the race, not wanting to risk any crashes.

Therefore, the starting grid for the three classes in the race was set on championship points, which put the SFoW Maserati sixth in the eight-car GT class, which also comprised six Porsches and one new Pontiac GTO.

Although the car was parked after the accident, considerable time was spent trying to repair the crash damage, and the team were eventually credited with a sixth place finish.

The crowd watching the race was perhaps the largest of the season due to the fact that Grand-Am was at Watkins Glen as a support race to the NASCAR Nextel Cup show.