BAR1 seems to be doing everything right these days, but can’t catch a break. While maintaining a front running car at Lime Rock Park for the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron Northeast Grand Prix, the No. 8 Evident Capital prototype pulled in for a routine pit stop and driver change. A faulty fuel probe turned a routine stop into a nightmare. The probe prevented the fuel from flowing, causing the team to send the car out without fueling so it could return to the pit and try again.
Team owner Brian Alder: “We’re still not sure what happened to the fuel probe on the No. 8 car’s stop. While we have inquiries in with the manufacturer, our investigation indicates an internal mechanical failure within the fuel probe.
“Kyle Marcelli did a terrific job in qualifying and Chris Cumming was outstanding in the opening stint, leading and never dropping lower than second place.
“Both cars ran a full hour before coming in to pit. Our drivers did a great job preserving fuel. The fuel probe definitely cost us a podium finish.
“Tomy and Rusty did a fantastic job in the No. 7 car. We had to scramble getting Tomy into the pits due to the tight space. The Risi Ferrari was pitted just behind us and pitted just prior to Tomy pulling in. This made it tough for Tomy to get a clean entry into our pit box.
“Unfortunately, for the No. 7 car, the yellows didn’t fall our way… but the car was definitely quick and in the running all day.
“Lime Rock truly is a bull ring. Given the heat and humidity, mixed with traffic and incredibly quick lap times, it’s almost like musical chairs… if everything doesn’t go your way, you can get caught out.
“These are the times that a team needs to dig deep. We’ll get to Mosport and we’ll bounce back stronger than ever.”
Next on the schedule for the American Le Mans Series and BAR1 Motorsports is the annual trip to Bowmanville, Ontario at the newly remodeled Canadian Tire Motorsports Park for the Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix, July 19-21. The race will air at 1PM EDT on ESPN2 and be accompanied by Live Streaming on ESPN3 beginning at 11:45AM. Fans can also watch Live Qualifying on ESPN3 Saturday, July 20 at 3:20PM ETD.
Source : BAR1 Motorsports