Qualifying 4th and getting out to a good start, the BAR1 No. 20 GasMonkey / Southwest Funding PC was showing a lot of promise for Sunday’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen, round three of 2016 Tequila Patrón North American Endurance Cup. Unfortunately, while battling for second place, racing contact ended Johnny Mowlem’s and the team’s day.
Fortunately, Mowlem escaped the spectacular crash uninjured, though nursing some bruised ribs. The car did not fair so well. With next week’s Canadian Motorsport Park looming on the horizon, the team immediately got to work rebuilding the car.
“That was a big hit,” exclaimed Brian Alder. “Glad Johnny walked away unscathed. Seeing that puts everyone’s mind at ease… we can quickly get about the business of rebuilding the car. We’ve got the race in Canada in less than four days. I’ve met with the crew already and they’re optimistic that they’ll be on the ground with a rolling car sometime tomorrow afternoon. We have a great group of guys… honestly, I’m impressed with the way they’re handling this.”
“Johnny got a great start,” Alder continued. “He was having a good race running in second and holding off the No. 38. We’re still not clear on the actual contact, but it was a pretty scary sight on our monitor. Of course, our first concern was for Johnny’s well being… it was a big relief to see him out of the car and walking around.”
No. 20 GasMonkey Engery Prototype driver’s Matt McMurry and Don Yount were thankful their co-driver emerged safe and sound, but were understandably disappointed not being able to compete.
“We were extremely pleased having GasMonkey Energy along for the ride,” added team owner, Brian Alder, we’ll fly their colors in Canada along with our season partners, Southwest Funding and TOP 1 Oil. We really excited and the car looks great!”
BAR1 also fielded two cars in the three rounds of Mazda Prototype Lites presented by Cooper Tires at Watkins Glen.
Brian Alder only recently switched to the L1 division at Sebring in March. While Don Yount, the L1 Masters Champion in 2014 looked to continue his winning ways.
In race one, Alder in the No. 22 Top 1 Oil Mazda Prototype finished on the lead lap in 13th position, while Yount made a good run from the back of the grid, finishing with the No. 27 Southwest Funding Mazda Prototype in 9th.
In race two, Yount managed to improve one spot, finishing 8th. Alder struggled with an ill-handling car, dropped a spot to 14th.
Race three saw the two running and tandem enjoying a spirited intramural battle. In the end, Yount slipped by Alder to win the team battle… Yount 6th and Alder 8th.
The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship will travel to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park for the Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix, July 8-10.