Team USA scores unexpected win in Portugal PORTUGAL - A slim, 45 seconds was the margin needed by EnduranceKarting.com's Team USA 3 to take an upset GT2 victory over a professionally loaded, international field in the ninth edition of the 24 Horas Evora Galpenergia/Maxxis 2003, July 5 & 6 in Portugal. The United States driving team, headed by Team Captain, Diego Martin out of West Virginia; team organizer and Endurance Karting founder, Johan Schwartz, from N.C.; Jack Beaulieu from Connecticut; Florida's Jim Machul,.; N.Y. driver Lou Duke; Pat Dignan from Ohio; and Yuri Lyalko out of Massachusetts; worked their way from 11th at the start through the leaders, lowering lap times and perfecting their pit work as the event wore on. As the wee morning hours slipped by, the amateur sportsmen of USA 3 found themselves in a battle with the Siemens Security team of professional Portuguese kart pilots, swapping the lead with every pit stop. The tight race continued through to the finish with neither team faltering until the checkered flag fell at 1 pm, Sunday afternoon. Portuguese professional drivers sponsored by Benfica/Sumol took the top spot over all 32 teams entered from Brazil, Cuba, Holland, Italy, Switzerland, France and Spain while Team USA 1 & 2 came home 11th and 13th in class. EnduranceKarting.com provides karts for hire for their racing events from 2 to 24 hours in length across the eastern half of the United States. The next event is a six-hour race at Lime Rock Park, Conn., August 9.