Performance Tech Motorsports’ Fancy Footwork Wins VIR
Performance Tech Motorsports won at VIRginia International Raceway locking in Motel 6’s first victory.
Performance Tech Motorsports’ penultimate challenge in IMSA Prototype Challenge is one for the books. After an incredible three-hour run full of thrilling passes and wild moves the team was ecstatic to end the weekend on top.
Team Principal Brent O’Neill knew this win would come and is proud of his team for the hard work put in to get it.
“This was a great race,” O’Neill said. “Everyone performed well, the crew, the drivers, the whole group really melded into one strong unit this weekend. As always, we love seeing the Motel 6 logo on podium. We’ve been chasing that win for months and to lock it down for them is mega. They’ve supported us for the last two years and this is just a small way to thank them.”
The race began with a stellar setup from Goldburg qualifying the No. 6 Motel 6 Ligier JSP320 in second place. He followed this up with an even more impressive opening stint building a substantial gap to the pack of competitors behind. With first place within his reach, he handed the reins to Rasmus Lindh.
Lindh settled into the No. 6 amidst a five-car battle for first position. After pushing his way back to second place he showcased fancy footwork, spinning the car on two wheels followed almost immediately by his pass for first place. An unprecedented last lap pass secured first place for the team setting them up for a great season finale.
Next up for the No. 6 Motel 6 Ligier JSP320 is its season finale at MICHELIN Raceway Road Atlanta, November 10-12. The weekend also features the No. 38 Centinel Spine Ligier JSP320 completing its season with the Motul Petit Le Mans. For ticket sales and schedule details visit http://imsa.com/motul-petit-le-mans.
QUOTE BOARD
Dan Goldburg, Driver of the No. 6 Motel 6 Ligier JSP320
“The whole race was wild,” Goldburg said. “It was a roller coaster of emotions. When Rasmus went up on two wheels, we were pretty sure he was done for, we thought the car would be on its hood, wholesale. Then he saves it, keeps position, and grabs first on the next lap, it was nuts. We’re pumped for everybody; Performance Tech, Motel 6, the whole group. We’ve been working towards this all year. We’ve had a lot of good finishes but finally were able to get on the top step.”
Rasmus Lindh, Driver of the No. 6 Motel 6 Ligier JSP320
“We knew for the whole race that we were fastest in sector two, so I spent a few laps cooling down my tires because I pushed them in the beginning,” Lindh said. “They told me on the last restart that in Turn 11 was where I had to do it, so I just did it.”
“Earlier in the race I was pushing really hard to overtake the European guys. They are so much faster than us on the straights, so I was really pushing in that middle sector. I lost it and thankfully pushed in the clutch and saved it. That was definitely one of my saves of the year. I think it was a little bit of luck and skill, luckily, I pressed in the clutch so I wouldn’t reverse the gear box. I saw the sky and I don’t really know what happened.”