Scene Two, Take Two, Action at Sebring International Raceway

Performance Tech Motorsports is hitting play on the 2020 IMSA season at Sebring International Raceway following sixth months on pause due to COVID-19.

The Deerfield Beach-based team heads to its home track with two Ligier JS P3 entries in IMSA Prototype Challenge and one ORECA 07 LMP2 in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Sebring International Raceway is located two hours from the Performance Tech shop allowing its drivers to accumulate countless test hours giving the team an upper hand in its return. The added experience allows the crew and drivers to quickly dial in the finer details of the famous Sebring bumps compared to competitors.

The weekend looks vastly different than any other in Performance Tech's history. New regulations surrounding COVID-19 have limited the number of crew members permitted on-premise for each car. While at track individuals must keep a mask on at all times, the only exception being when drivers or crew are wearing helmets with face shields. To further keep teams safe IMSA implemented health screenings when entering the track and location access restrictions within the paddock.

For Team Principal Brent O’Neill keeping his crew safe on and off the track this weekend is his top priority.

“We’re excited to get back to racing but we can’t ignore the fact that everything is very different than the last time we were at the track,” O’Neill said. “We’ve got a long season ahead of us and I need to make sure myself, my crew, and my drivers stay healthy so we can be there at the end. I think we need more than just mandatory health screenings and social distancing.”

“I’m working with VB Enviro Care to keep my shop, trailers, and paddock disinfected. I have a strong driver lineup in all my cars that I know can succeed as long as I give them all the necessary tools which include a safe and healthy environment. I believe our team will be one of the safest there this weekend.”

The No. 38 Centinel Spine ORECA LMP2 is piloted by the long-time duo of Kyle Masson, Windemere, and Cameron Cassels, British Columbia. The pair’s last outing at Sebring International Raceway was one to remember after topping the podium at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. They look to transfer the knowledge and stamina necessary to win an endurance race to Saturday’s sprint-race and add another win to their resumes.

As to be expected Cassels is pulling double duty in the No. 38 Centinel Spine ORECA LMP2 and the No. 75 VB Enviro Care Ligier JS P3. He and Max Hanratty, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, are primed for a podium in the No. 75 after the top three steps narrowly escaped their grasps during Round One. The duo’s resume features a second-place qualifying position and fifth-place finish at Sebring International Raceway denoting them as a car to watch.

Erring on the side of caution, Blake Mount, Littleton, Colorado, sits out the weekend after coming in close contact with an individual diagnosed with COVID-19. He is heeding his doctor’s advice and keeping the safety of others his top priority.

“I am extremely sad to not be racing at Sebring, but I couldn’t actively avoid my doctor’s recommendations,” Mount said. “I did everything in my power to avoid this happening and am incredibly sorry to not be representing Motel 6 this weekend. I will be working hard and will be ready come time for Road America.”

Dan Goldbrug, Delray Beach, is back in the saddle of the No. 6 Motel 6 Ligier JS P3 paired with Rasmus Lindh, Gothenburg, Sweden. Lindh was set to compete in the 2020 Indy Lites season before its cancellation due to COVID-19. With a shortened weekend schedule Lindh and Goldburg have kick started their preparations to ensure their setup and communication is dialed in upon arriving to the track.

The shortened schedule has the team partaking in eight on-track sessions in under 48 hours. The whirlwind weekend reaches its climax with double-header races for the team with IMSA Prototype Challenge Round 2 going green at 11:50 a.m. ET and the Cadillac Grand Prix going green at 5:40 p.m. For a more detailed schedule and information on the limited ticket sales visit https://www.imsa.com/events/2020-sebring-international-raceway/.

To Do List:

Friday, July 17

IMSA Prototype Challenge Practice 1: 9:25-10:10 a.m. ET

IMSA Prototype Challenge Practice 2: 1:00-1:30 p.m.

IMSA Prototype Challenge Qualifying: 5:00-5:15 p.m.

IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Practice 1: 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 18

IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Practice 2: 10:00-11:00 a.m.

IMSA Prototype Challenge Race: 11:50-1:35 p.m.

IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship P2 Qualifying: 2:45-3:00 p.m.

IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Race: 5:35-8:15 p.m.