Hoping to capitalize from Kyle Marcelli’s brilliant qualifying drive, the No. 8 Merchant Services Racing / Lamex / Butterfield Dairy Oreca LMPC car started from the pole position for Saturday’s American Le Mans Series Northeast Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut. Unfortunately, the car would suffer suspension damage and a broken exhaust, due to contact made by an overaggressive GTC driver, just 20 laps into the race. The team made a valiant effort to return to the race, but the damage was too severe.
“It’s really heartbreaking to see your guys work so hard only to be taken out 20 laps in,” said team principal, Brian Alder. “Kyle laid down a spectacular time in qualifying. He and RSR’s Bruno Junqueira went back and forth several times. But in the end, Kyle sealed the deal with a 47.249 – a new track record for the prototype Challenge class.” Anthony Downs started the race and lead early on. But, as expected, the racing was fast and close with a lot of bumping and banging. The first yellow came just 14 minutes into the race. It was on the restart that Downs took the hit.
“You come to expect a lot of banging at Lime Rock… after all, it’s a bull ring,” noted Alder. “But some of these guys just have no patience. We had a great car and two solid drivers capable of climbing to the top step of the podium. It’s hard not to feel robbed. Kyle is probably one of the most talented drivers in the LMPC division. He never got a chance. That’s tough to take. At least we know what we have heading up to Mosport (Canadian Tire Motorsport Park),” added Alder. “That’s Kyle’s home track. He’s totally wired to that track and the car is definitely a bullet. We’ll back with a vengeance. Count on it!”
The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón next heads north for Mobil 1 presents the Grand Prix of Mosport. The two-hour, 45-minute race is scheduled for noon ET on July 22 from the 2.459-mile, 10-turn Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. ESPN2′s broadcast featuring live coverage begins at 1 p.m. ET. Full coverage is available starting at 11:45 a.m. ET on ESPN3.
The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón is the world`s leading sports car championship and is recognized as the Global Leader in Green Racing. In the tradition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, multiple classes of cars – purpose-built prototypes and production-based Grand Touring automobiles – race on the track at the same time to create compelling race action and constant passing. All cars in the Series compete using one of five approved alternative fuels or energy sources: clean sulfur-free diesel, cellulosic E85 or E10, Isobutanol and electric hybrid technologies. The Series has more automobile marques involved than any other major race series in the world as manufacturers develop relevant technologies on track that transfer directly to the customer showroom. The ALMS competes at North America`s premier road racing tracks and selected temporary street circuits in major urban markets.
Source : Merchant Services Racing