High hopes at VIR for Al Carter end in frustration

Al Carter came to Virginia International Raceway with high hopes and ready for a great racing weekend but at the end, he left the track frustrated after racing in the CTSCC and TUDOR Championship races. 

Al's week started on Thursday with a promoter test day for Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge cars. Al and Rebel Rock Racing co-driver Brett Sandberg had a good day with their No. 7 Rebel Rock Racing/CarryOn.com/B+ Foundation/Eagle Tech Systems/Sideskinz/Stinkerz Porsche 997. Following two practice sessions on Friday morning, Brett Sandberg qualified the No. 7 Rebel Rock Racing in 16th place on Friday afternoon.

In the race, Brett Sandberg and Al Carter were aiming for a top five finish. A solitary yellow at about 30 minutes in forced GS teams to make an awkward decision about when to stop. Sandberg pitted for tires and fuel but no driver change. Rebel Rock Racing engineers decided to keep Brett Sandberg in and made up 5 places in the pits. Sandberg ran as high as 5th in the race then for the last half of the race, Al Carter replaced him behind the wheel during the final pit stop. Al Carter did well to withstand tough opposition and finished 10th. 

The Oak Tree Grand Prix event at VIR started on Friday for all the competitors of the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship. In the first session one car was missing. The No. 007 CarryOn.com/B+ Foundation/Jetset Magazine/Eagle Tech Systems /Sideskinz/Adobe Road Winery/Royal Purple/Monument Chemicals Aston Martin V12 Vantage of Al Carter and James Davison was still under the transporter's awning.

Aston Martin a work in progress

The crew got the new Aston Martin tub to replace the damaged tub after the Road America accident late Thursday and worked tirelessly to prepare the car for the event. On Friday afternoon for the second practice session the 007 finally went on track with James Davison and scored the 5th time of the session proving that the TRG-Aston Martin Racing V12 Vantage was competitive again. 

In the afternoon, everyone at TRG-AMR was dreaming of another GTD pole. After an epic session behind the wheel of the No. 007 CarryOn.com/B+ Foundation/Jetset Magazine/Eagle Tech Systems /Sideskinz/Adobe Road Winery/Royal Purple/Monument Chemicals Aston Martin V12 Vantage, Davison secured the pole position again, the second consecutive for the duo Davison/Carter.

This was an incredible underdog story of perseverance and dedication as the crew performed an overnight build of an entirely new car after receiving a spare chassis from England just days ago. Quit isn't a word in the TRG-AMR vocabulary, and they were able to turn the bare tub into a pole-winning racecar in record time.

Starts 10th

On Sunday, Al Carter started on the GTD pole (10th overall). That was one of the most memorable moments in his racing career. Unfortunately, right after the start Al was spun around by another competitor and lost a lot of positions. Al continued his race until the first pit stop for tires and fuel and driver change. James Davison started his stint and raced all out to try to get the lap lost earlier in the race but the race circumstances did not allow it.

At the end of the race, Al Carter returned behind the wheel of the No. 007 and crossed the finish line in 12th place. This race was really frustrating for Al Carter who was hoping to score a great result at VIR.

With only two races left (Austin and Atlanta) in the 2014 TUDOR Championship and Al is hoping to catch a break soon. The next race at Circuit of The Americas in Austin on September 19-20 should be a good track for the Aston Martin and the TRG-AMR drivers will look to score a podium finish and maybe a win in Texas!

The VIR Continental Tire series race will be broadcast on Sunday, August 31 at noon EDT on Fox Sports 1.

Al Carter