|
 |
|
 |
| August 06, 2012 |
| LMP Challenge: PR1 Mathiasen Performs Mid-Ohio Hat-Trick |
 | Some late race drama allowed PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports to convert the Mid-Ohio pole into a win
(Photo: American Le Mans Series) |
LEXINGTON, OHIO (August 5, 2012) - "Keep digging," PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports Team Principal, Bobby Oergel said to his driver, his team, and to himself during the qualifying session for the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge. "The rest of the field is on a flyer, you have to keep digging." When the checkered flag flew after Saturday's two hours and forty five minute race, the team's weekend tally showed that they had qualified on pole, took the fastest race lap, earned their third consecutive Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course podium, scored their second podium of 2012, and took their first LMPC class victory of the season. After four months of sleepless nights and luckless race days, PR1/Mathiasen's digging had finally paid off.
The race win did not exactly come easily to the No. 52 Quest Software/Aviation Gin Oreca FLM09. Rudy Junco, of Monterrey, Mexico, took the frantic start from pole and immediately came under fire from multiple cars in the highly competitive LMPC class. Despite falling back to fifth place in the early stages of the race, Junco would rally back with a fury, reclaiming the top spot during an extended stint in the sweltering midwestern sun. Handing the car over to Marino Franchitti, of Edinburgh, Scotland, with just under an hour to go, the rapid Scot rejoined the race in P2, 15 seconds behind fellow countrymen Ryan Dalziel in the No. 06 car. While matching Dalziel's pace, Franchitti knew that not only had Junco been able to stay out two laps later than Dalziel's co-driver, but that Mid-Ohio races typically stay green, giving the No. 52 a potential strategy advantage. With 30 minutes to go, live coverage played radio communication from No. 06 that confirmed what PR1/Mathiasen's Race Engineer, John Hayes, already knew. They'd have to pit again if Dalziel could not save enough fuel to stretch three laps. Unfortuantely, by that time, Franchitti had already turned up the wick, posting the LMPC class' fastest lap of the race. There was no conserving necessary for the No. 52's strategy. With only five minutes to go in the race, the No. 06 pulled out of the lead for a quick splash for fuel, relinquishing the lead and victory to Franchitti, Junco, and the entire PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports team.
"The perfect end to a perfect weekend", Franchitti said after the race, "It's been a pleasure working with Rudy and the PR1/Mathiasan team. Getting pole, fastest lap and race win, I couldn't ask for more; I pushed all the way and the great strategy by the team allowed me not to have to refuel at the end, they did a great job."
Junco echoed his teammate's sentiments.
"The race win is such a great achievement for this team after everything we've been through this season," Junco exclaimed. "Marino and I have gotten along great, really working well together all weekend with the PR1/Mathiasen crew. You know, this is the older car, but I tell you, it's older, but it's a winner. I love driving this car in this series. It is such a pleasure and now we have Road America coming up next as well. I really enjoy that track, and I know it's one of Marino's favorites as well, so I'm very much looking forward to taking this momentum there in a few weeks."
PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports Team Principal, Bobby Oergel, knew that a race win was possible after the weekend's first practice session.
"Sometimes you unload the car for the first time during an event, and you just know that you have what it takes," Oergel exclaimed. "We always unload pretty well, but after leading the first practice, I knew that the win was going to be ours to lose. After Rudy paced the first practice, then when Marino got in the car and do the same, I think they knew it as well. Nothing came easily to us today though. We had the speed, but so did a lot of other cars. We needed more than speed. We needed those lighting fast stops and those flawless strategy decisions to capitalize on our race pace. My guys got it done, and I'm just amazed that these guys had the energy to walk after the ringer they've been through these past months. They never gave up and a pole, fast lap, and victory are theirs today. They've earned it and I look forward to fighting for more with them at the next race."
Coverage of round seven of the 2012 ALMS season, the Road Race Showdown at Road America, begins on Saturday, August 18, 2012 at 3:15 pm EDT on ESPN 3.
Potential partners interested in the PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón LMPC program can contact the team directly at pr1motorsports@aol.com or at (559) 277-1300.
Born in the fresh and pristine environs of Portland, Oregon, Aviation New Western Dry Gin, represents a unique partnership between craft distilled spirit pioneer House Spirits Distilling and internationally acclaimed bartender Ryan Magarian. With its full and weighty mouth feel, regionally inspired flavors of earth and spice, and a uniquely cool finish, Aviation is a rare expression of dry gin that shines both on it's own and in one of a large number of resurrected and modern culinary cocktails colliding with ice and tin on the insides of Boston Shakers at discerning cocktail bars around the world. Learn more at http://www.aviationgin.com
Quest creates simple-to-use IT management software that saves time and money across virtual, physical, and cloud environments. Their award-winning products and timesaving services ease the toughest IT challenges for more than 100,000 customers worldwide. Customers need simpler ways to do powerful things. That's what Quest has delivered since 1987.
The company is focused on technology innovation that delivers real value and cost savings, fast. Customers can rely on Quest to meet just about any IT management need with their breadth of smart, award-winning products and timesaving services. Whether customers are working with Windows, databases and applications, or in physical, virtual or cloud environments — customers are covered. Customers will be amazed how their innovative yet practical solutions will transform IT operations and boost staff productivity higher than ever imagined – and all from a solid company that's been helping organizations large and small since 1987. Find out more at http://www.quest.com
In paddocks packed with excellent teams and quality drivers, PR1 Motorsports has established itself as one of the top driver development programs. Based in Fresno, CA, PR1 Motorsports occupies an expansive facility housing a stable of F2000 Zetec and professional sports cars. Team drivers enjoy the benefits of a completely professional program including engineering support, state-of-the art data acquisition, and a race winning experienced crew. PR1 Motorsports drivers, and partners, also enjoy first-class trackside hospitality and comprehensive marketing support. PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports team information can be found at http://www.PR1Motorsports.com |
|
|
|
Go Top
|
|
|
|
|
