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| July 23, 2012 |
| LMP Challenge: CORE autosport Scores Double Podium in Canada |
 | Colin Braun secured his first-ever series pole with a new LMP Challenge lap record at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
(Photo: American Le Mans Series) |
BOWMANVILLE, ONT. (July 22, 2012) - CORE autosport continued its amazing 2012 run in Canada on Sunday by again placing both cars on the podium at the 2012 Mobil 1 Presents the Grand Prix of Mosport. In five American Le Mans Series races so far this season, CORE has had both cars on the Prototype Challenge podium.
The No. 05 Composite Resources ORECA FLM09 with drivers Jon Bennett and Colin Braun had a solid race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, but a combination of traffic and minor car difficulty relegated them to the second spot (seventh overall) in the two hour and 45 minute event. The sister No. 06 Soloson Import machine, driven by Alex Popow and Ryan Dalziel, suffered from an on-track incident, and through a combination of sheer determination and racing “luck” rounded out the PC-class podium in third (eighth overall).
In the five races thus far in the 2012 ALMS season, CORE autosport has finished on the podium 10 times – with four wins, two seconds and four third place spots. The Rock Hill, S.C.-based team remains with a comfortable lead in the 2012 ALMS PC team championship standings. In the PC driver standings, the rivalry between the two CORE autosport cars looks to increase, as the No. 05 Braun/Bennett team has now caught up with Popow for a three-way first-place tie.
Despite a rainy morning on the day of the only Canadian ALMS round of the season, the weather gave way to heat and humidity. Bennett started in the No. 05 machine in the class pole position thanks to the efforts of Braun on Saturday. After an hour of racing at the 2.459-mile, 10-turn road course, Bennett handed the No. 05 to Braun in second spot at approximately the halfway point of the race. Braun set a series of fast laps, but was unable to capture the top spot on the podium – a place to which he’d become accustomed after two wins in the previous two rounds.
"First of all, I’d like to thank all of CORE autosport," stated Bennett. "Ten podiums in five races is something to be proud of and the combination put together by team manager Morgan Brady of the great staff and solid processes that allow us to get to the podium.
“Also to be tied for first place in points is certainly interesting and fun, but not our focus this early in the season.
“Colin did a great job yesterday which put the No. 05 on pole. It wasn’t long that I got a bit of a surprise because the car wasn’t quite as sharp as it was on Saturday. But I dealt with what I had and figured my best offense was a good defense and worked my way through traffic to get the car to Colin, who did a great job.
“Anytime you’re on the podium it’s a privilege and once again, it’s a privilege to be a part of CORE autosport.”
“It was a great points day for the team and now Jon and I are tied with Alex in first spot in the PC driver’s championship," commented Braun. “The guys gave us good spots and the strategy was spot-on, but we didn’t quite have the speed today that we’ve had over the rest of the weekend. But this team’s strong suit seems to be that we’re always there in the end in the right spot, and today was no different. That is how you win championships.
“Next is Mid-Ohio and I know that the #05 guys will be hungry to get one step up on the podium for that one.”
Popow started second in the No. 06 Soloson Import car, and it was in less than one lap that he was leading the PC class. After quite a duel with another PC car, he remained in first until 38 minutes into the race, when, while trying to pass a slower GTC car heading into turn three, they made contact. It was only then when Popow realized there was another PC car on the other side of the GTC car. Those two cars ended up off the track and the No. 06 car was left with a damaged nose and splitter. After quick work by the No. 06 crew for repairs, Popow was back on track in the fifth spot.
Unfortunately the ALMS determined that Popow was guilty of avoidable contact and stopped the No. 06 on pit road for two minutes. Those two minutes decimated any chance to recover the time lost due to the racing incident, but Popow kept fighting. With less than an hour to go to the event Popow turned the No. 06 over to Dalziel, still in the fifth spot. Dalziel pulled out a determined effort to eventually bring the No. 06 home in third spot.
“Today wasn’t easy and wasn’t the way I wanted it to be," said Popw. "With the incident, I was having trouble passing the GTC car although I was faster, and I needed to find the right spot. I thought I did the right thing with the pass but there was a PC car on the other side of him.
“Of course I’m not happy about it and am glad that those guys are OK. It’s just a matter of giving each other the respect and space.
“It was a great recovery by the No. 06 team to repair the car without losing too much time and for Ryan to do some awesome driving to get that third place finish. We’re still in the fight and are in no way laying down with five races to go this season.
“With my first time at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, we were on the podium, but at Mid-Ohio, a place that Ryan and I know well, I think we can do even better.”
“What an unfortunate deal for Alex and the No. 06 team," added Dalziel. "When I saw the replay I didn’t think it was anybody’s fault, and despite the penalty Alex and the guys kept getting it done. It’s just the nature of racing with GT cars, which are just as fast as we are in a straight line, and that makes it tough.
“It was a good weekend overall, we learned a lot and Alex is still in the championship fight.
“A podium as great and now we’ll focus on Mid-Ohio.”
Next up for CORE autosport is the 2012 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge, at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. Practice for the event begins on Thursday (August 2) with qualifying on Friday (August 3). The two hour and 45 minute race will take place on Saturday (August 4) at 1:05 p.m.
Learn more at http://www.coreautosport.com / http://www.facebook.com/coreautosport / Twitter @coreautosport / http://www.youtube.com/coreautosport |
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