HARTSDALE, NEW YORK (January 29, 2024) - Nicholas d'Orlando was back in the seat of the Dallara EXP taking on the challenge of the Forgeline 6-Hour Enduro race at the PBOC National Winterfest hosted at the iconic Sebring International Raceway. Joining forces behind the wheel as part of a five driver squad with Dallara client and Michigan-based Cauley Autosport, the end results proved two things.... the Dallara EXP is a record setting machine and Nick d'Orlando can wheel a race car.
Right out of the gate, d'Orlando and his Cauley Autosport squad, including Jeff and Joe Cauley, John Kim and Ralph Gilles got off to a good start in the single practice day with some impressive lap times. Everything was looking solid for the next day's qualifying session and late afternoon-evening main event.
Unfortunately, the Qualifying session was disastrous with d'Orlando unable to put down a complete lap, which resulted in a starting position at the tail of the forty-four car field for the 6-hour main event. But once the green flagged dropped, d'Orlando quickly began making up positions incredibly fast until a transponder issue forced a very early pitstop, pushing the team way down the order again.
It was a lot of lost ground to recover from, with a hefty number of pit stops in the strategy for refueling and driver changes, but the performance of both car and drivers was an impressive display, even when the torrential rains rolled in and ended the event about 30-minutes early. d'Orlando and his Cauley Autosport crew would ultimately finish P2 in class and 11th overall.
Looking for more opportunities to get back in a seat, d'Orlando returned to action in the Dallara EXP for the 90-minute PBOC Enduro event the next day. His impressive P2 qualifying effort in the Dallara EXP machine was flawless and he immediately jumped to the front by the opening corner after the drop of the green flag at the start of the race. The plan was to stretch fuel as much as possible and make it a one pit-stop strategy and driver change, however the fuel capacity had it's own agenda leaving the car stranded mid-track losing all positions and a tow back to pit lane to refuel for the remainder of the event. It was a disappointing final result but the lessons learned by team owners, drivers and Dallara is un-quantifiable for the prestigious EXP.
For Nick d'Orlando it was another example of his capability to drive a race car at the front of the pack in every opportunity he's presented with. And did we mention that he set a track record for the fastest lap time in class? Yah he did!
Currently, Nick d'Orlando's pursuit to return to full-time racing action is undetermined and limited by available funding. He has been on the sidelines as the biggest supporter of his older brother Michael d'Orlando (2022 USF 2000 Champion) and has taken limited opportunities for various events the past two years in the USF2000 Championship series. He is currently a driver for Dallara in the Dallara EXP at various events throughout the nation and is the 2021 Formula Race Promotions F1600 Champion. Prior to race cars, he earned an impressive record in go-karts, culminating his karting career as a factory driver for Kart Republic in the FIA Karting Championship in Europe.
About d'Orlando Enterprises LLC: d'Orlando Enterprises LLC, also known as "DELLC", is a driver management, marketing, event planning and activation company with specific focus in the amateur and professional motorsports industry. We develop unique and remarkable VIP experiences, behind the scenes access, and other entertainment opportunities for partners and corporations at race events across the country, including the Indy500. See more information at www.dorlandoracing.com