Performance Tech Motorsports Back in LMP2
Performance Tech Motorsports welcomes new faces for the Motul Petit Le Mans with the No. 38 Centinel Spine Oreca LMP2 in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
Following a short hiatus from the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship the No. 38 makes its return this weekend at MICHELIN Raceway Road Atlanta. The driver lineup features three new faces to the team; Jim McGuire, Colin Braun and Matt Bell. While each driver is making their debut in the No. 38, they are no strangers to the Oreca LMP2 promising for a successful weekend.
Team Principal Brent O’Neill is looking forward to introducing this trio to the paddock at one of the most anticipated races of the season.
“We’re really excited to welcome Jim, Colin and Matt to the team,” O’Neill said. “They all have impressive resumes along with the friendly personality we always look for in drivers. We have a lot of track time under our belts at Road Atlanta, so I think the data combined with their talent is going to make us a serious contender for a win this weekend.”
McGuire, San Francisco, California, is no stranger to prototype’s having spent the past several years driving Ligier JS P3’s in IMSA Prototype Challenge and the MICHELIN Le Mans Cup.
“I’m really excited to team up with Colin Braun and Matt Bell in Petit Le Mans this year,” McGuire said. “Matt and I ran four seasons together in an LMP3 in Europe, Asia and North America and have had a goal to get in a P2 at some point. This opportunity was very last minute, but knowing Colin Braun was there to help our transition made it an easy decision. I’m looking forward to meeting the Performance Tech team next week and racing at Petit Le Mans, this is a great opportunity!”
Braun, Ovalo, Texas, joins the team with vast experience in the Oreca LMP2, most recently driving for Performance Tech Motorsports’ competitor ERA Motorsports in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship LMP2 Class.
“I have raced the Oreca LMP2 car a few times in the past at this circuit, most recently racing the 6 Hour this year with ERA Motorsports,” Braun said. “I really enjoy the track and the Oreca is a car that is built for a fast and flowing track like Road Atlanta. Originally, I had signed to drive with ERA Motorsports for the remaining Endurance races in IMSA, but one of the drivers got injured in a crash during Le Mans, most importantly he is ok, but that unfortunately brought an end to the season with that program. I have known both Matt and Jim for a while now and raced with them in Europe a few years ago where we had a lot of fun, so I am really looking forward to this event with them and Performance Tech Motorsports.”
Bell, Los Altos, California, rounds out the pack with an extensive past in the IMSA paddock and a long history of driving with McGuire.
QUOTE
In addition to the No. 38 Centinel Spine Oreca LMP2 Performance Tech Motorsports supports two Ligier JS P3 entries this weekend for the IMSA Prototype Challenge season finale. Limited ticket sales will be available for the event ranging from one to four-day passes. For broadcast times, schedule details, and ticket sales visit https://www.imsa.com/events/motul-petit-le-mans/.
To-Do List:
Thursday, October 15, 2020
IMSA Prototype Challenge Practice 1: 9:00-9:45 a.m. ET
IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Practice 1: 11:15-12:00 p.m.
IMSA Prototype Challenge Practice 2: 1:45-2:15 p.m.
IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Practice 2: 3:45-4:45 p.m.
IMSA Prototype Challenge Qualifying: 5:45-6:00 p.m.
IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Practice 3: 7:30-9:00 p.m.
Friday, October 16, 2020
IMSA Prototype Challenge Finale: 9:10-12:10 p.m.
IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Qualifying: 1:20-1:35 p.m.
Saturday, October 17, 2020
IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Warmup: 9:10-9:20 a.m.
Motul Petit Le Mans: 12:05-10:05 p.m.