Not since the legendary days of LeMans racing the 1960′s, has the silhouette of the legendary Peter Brock-designed Coupe graced an endurance race of this magnitude. Following in the footsteps of its racing heritage, Team Thunder Valley Racing will campaign a Factory Five Racing Type 65-R Coupe in this year’s 25 Hours of Thunderhill.

The fact that this team will take their spot on pit lane this weekend is a testimony to the spirit, determination, and passion for racing that lives within the group.

This team has already endured a lot this season, having recently suffered the loss of crew chief, friend, and husband, Andy Salvaggio.

Andy’s diagnosis with a life-threatening illness earlier in the season sidelined the team in early summer, and it was thought that the season would be over. Andy’s heart for racing would not be denied though, and with the prospect of recovery on the horizon, a family/team meeting in July resulted in a re-dedication from every member of the team that they would compete in the remaining races and finish the season. Andy, while still hospitalized, was pleased to know that the team’s goal of competing in the full season of the Western Endurance Racing Championship (WERC) would live on.

The Coupe had been in development for endurance racing over the past two seasons, and 2011 would be the season in which the team would campaign the Coupe in the full season of the Western Endurance Racing Championship (WERC) Series. Team Thunder Valley Racing owner/driver Karen Salvaggio, along with co-drivers Rick Anderson, Nick Steel, Dave Rhia, and Dave Brown will take the green flag at 11:00 AM on December 3rd, and with their skilled team of 25 mechanics, fuelers, logistics managers, and data/communications specialists, Team Thunder Valley Racing will make their 5th attempt at enduring the 25 grueling hours of the race.

Unique to this team is the continuing story that developed on The Factory Five Forum, wherein a dedicated and passionate group of Factory Five Racing Type-65 Coupe owners and racing enthusiasts have followed the team’s every step during race preparations and competition events during the 2009, 2010 and 2011race seasons. As on track performance was analyzed and improvements were determined for future events,

Forum members stepped in to design, engineer, and fabricate improved systems for the car. The result was a steady improvement in on track performance, which has placed the #28 at the top of the leader board in its class as Team Thunder Valley Racing heads into the final event of the season. The Coupe will be taking to the track with battle scars and paint chips from last year’s 25 Hours race are still evident, however, thanks to the Factory Five Racing community, the car is sporting a new suspension and Carbotech brake package for this year.

This year, the car will again run a 302-based Ford motor with a Megasquirt engine management system supplied by DIY Auotune and a Tremec TKO 600-R transmission supplied by Fortes Parts Connection. The team will compete in the EO Class for the 25 Hours this year, which will present the team with the additional challenges, as fuel stops will be limited to a 10-gallon/stop rule. The team has already proven they are up to the task though, with a veteran crew of more than 25 volunteers making their fifth appearance in the 25 Hours pits; fueling, facilitating driver changes, and maintaining the Coupe day/night for 25 hours.

Drivers include veteran 25 Hours racer, FFR West Coast Champion and team owner Dr. Karen Salvaggio, who secured dual 2010 Championships in both the West Coast Challenge Series and the Southern California Region. FFR veteran racer and 2010 Northern California Regional Champion Rick Anderson also returns to pilot the Coupe this year, along with NASA Champion Nick Steel, Local Motors Engineer and Challenge Series racer Dave Rhia, Factory Five Racing Challenge Series driver Jeff Awender, and multiple race series Champion and pro driving coach Dave Brown.

In the days leading up to the race, Team Owner/Driver Karen Salvaggio commented, “I want to extend my deepest appreciation to the members of The Factory Five Forum and the NASA race community for the kindness you’ve shown to our family and to our race team over the last year. A few years ago, I had this idea of racing a Type 65 Coupe in endurance competition. Virtually no one was wheel to wheel racing these cars at the time, and a number of folks told me it couldn’t be done. Then I found my home among a passionate group of true believers in grassroots motorsports, and as I’ve discovered, keepers of the flame of competition that defines the heritage of these great cars.

Thanks for taking me under your wing and guiding, advising, cheering, and just plain offering any support you could for our effort. In the six years I’ve owned and raced Factory Five Racing products, I’ve often said that when you own an FFR, you become a member of a truly wonderful community. Our team sends its greatest thanks to all of you for believing in us and encouraging us as we make our assault on the 25. I want to also send a big thanks to Factory Five Racing owner Dave Smith, and all of the team members at Factory Five Racing who understand the passion each of us have for these cars, and who helped us along the way. Dave is a long time supporter of NASA and a supporter of the competitors that build our cars and compete in the Factory Five Challenge Series. “Factory” support in these economic times is indeed a rare gift…On behalf of the entire Thunder Valley Racing team, “Thanks Dave!”