Only two races remain in the TUDOR United Sports Car Championship and CORE autosport has its gaze firmly set on capturing Prototype Challenge Championship number four.
Next up is the Lone Star Le Mans at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. This is only the second time CORE has been to the new state-of-the-art facility which the TUDOR series will share with the FIA World Endurance Championship this week.
With 36 points on the table for a win, CORE continues to rely on its strong work ethic and unmatched preparation to take on the ultra-competitive PC category and maintain its championship lead through to the season’s end at Petit Le Mans.
NOTEWORTHY
Colin Braun made his ALMS GT debut at COTA last year in CORE’s No. 06 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR.
Jon Bennett paired with Tom Kimber-Smith in last year’s PC race at COTA.
The 2013 COTA event is where it was announced that CORE would be Porsche’s official partner for a two-car factory entry in 2014.
CORE autosport leads the PC Team Championship by 14 points.
Bennett and Braun lead the PC Drivers’ Championship by 40 points.
Colin Braun was born in Ovalo, Texas, approximately 3.5 hours north of Austin.
Jon Bennett
Driver: No. 54 ORECA FLM09
“We’re not thinking too much about the Championship. We are looking forward to the races at COTA and Road Atlanta. We have had a great season so far, so we are having fun, and we are focused on enjoying a successful event in Austin. We have had many wins and strong performances this season. I am sure we will see another win or two yet.
“COTA was definitely a hot one last year, but Colin and I stay in physical training mode all year to be ready for events of any length and environment. We really have not had a ‘hot’ race this year, but I think warm weather will play to our strengths.
“This track definitely has some unique personalities that I enjoy. It’s is a great place to safely push the race car to its limits. Of course Austin is a fun place to be and when we get there I have two words for you: Salt Lick [BBQ].”
Colin Braun
Driver: No. 54 ORECA FLM09
“I don’t think we’re feeling the pressure over championship points. We’re focused on continuing to do what we’ve done for the last three years, which is try to win races. We’re out to win the next two races and let the points fall where they may. That’s been our mindset this whole year.
“COTA is going to be interesting for me because I’ve never driven the Prototype Challenge car there. I drove the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR there last year and also a GRAND-AM Daytona Prototype, so it’ll be interesting to figure out how COTA needs to be driven in the PC car. It’s a unique race track. It’s a little choppy for my taste, but it’s a cool place and it’s neat to be on a Formula 1 track.
“It’s been a few races since we’ve won and we’re all working really hard to get back there. We’ve been fast and we’ve been in the position to win but it hasn’t happened the last couple of races, so I think when you look over the course of the season, we’ve won half the races so far, so from a mathematical stand point, we’re due to win a race soon!”