Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA
Preview

Michael Shank Racing set for series-finale at Lime Rock Park

Michael Shank Racing will look to close out the 2013 season on a high note on Saturday.

#6 Michael Shank Racing Ford / Riley: Gustavo Yacaman, Justin Wilson

#6 Michael Shank Racing Ford / Riley: Gustavo Yacaman, Justin Wilson

Jeff Davidson

Pataskala, Ohio. (24 September 2013) – The GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series will end an era at Lime Rock Park this weekend as GRAND-AM stages its final race of the year as well as the final GRAND-AM event before the start of the new, merged United SportsCar Championship next year. Michael Shank Racing will look to close out the 2013 season on a high note on Saturday as the two-car team targets two positive results in its return to the 1.5-mile Connecticut circuit.

Gustavo Yacaman and Justin Wilson, who share the No. 6 Tuvacol/AERO Ford-Riley, will each take their first laps around the Lime Rock “bullring” this weekend and will aim to get up to speed quickly as Michael Shank Racing returns to a track where the team has shown strength ever since the Daytona Prototypes first started racing at the Connecticut circuit.

John Pew and Ozz Negri combined for a run to the podium in 2011 when the duo took the No. 60 Ford-Riley to a second place finish. The effort followed up the 2010 podium result of drivers Brian Frisselle and Michael Valiante in the No. 6 Michael Shank Racing Ford-Riley when the Daytona Prototype machines made their Lime Rock debut.

#6 Michael Shank Racing Ford / Riley: Gustavo Yacaman, Justin Wilson
#6 Michael Shank Racing Ford / Riley: Gustavo Yacaman, Justin Wilson

Photo by: Jeff Davidson

An unfortunate early-race incident at Lime Rock last year in which the No. 60 machine was taken out of contention just 15 laps into the race saw the team fighting back from two laps down. The hit ruined any possibility of a return to the Lime Rock podium, so the Shank team will be looking for redemption this weekend.

“Lime Rock can be a tricky little track, particularly with the traffic and of course with the short laps, pit strategy is crucial,” said team owner Mike Shank. “It will be a first time visit for Gus and Justin, but they should have no problem with it even though it is a very short weekend. It is an exciting time for the sport, and everyone is anxious to get going on 2014 so we’d like nothing better than to go out on a strong note with both our cars this weekend.”

The 2012 Rolex 24-winning team first entered the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series in 2004 and has claimed four wins, 27 podiums, two poles, has completed over 30,000 race laps and has led over 1,000 laps. The group is focused on adding two more positive performances to that list in the series-finale race on Saturday.

It will be a quick two-day race weekend with two practice sessions on Friday which are set to take place from 12:15 PM – 1:15 PM (ET) and 2:25 PM – 2:50 PM (ET). Qualifying is set for Saturday morning at 9:20 AM (ET) ahead of the 2.75-hour race on Saturday which will go green at 1:35 PM (ET).

Michael Shank Racing

Be part of Motorsport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Brian Frisselle set for 100th Rolex series start at Lime Rock Park
Next article Rolex Series stars to shine bright under the New York City lights

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA