Against All Odds
Performance Tech Motorsports No. 38 Ligier JSP320 finished second at Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course after a last-minute switch to a new chassis.
Performance Tech Motorsports faced a whirlwind weekend at Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course running the No. 6 Ligier JSP320 chassis in both IMSA Prototype Challenge Round 3 and IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship Round 3. This decision was made after the No. 38’s engine failed in qualifying with no replacements readily available. Drivers Dan Goldburg and Rasmus Lindh co-drove for both races, showcasing race winning pace and communication.
Team Principal Brent O’Neill believes this is a true testament of the level his crew and drivers are operating at.
“This was a crazy weekend,” O’Neill said. “To have the No. 38’s engine blow in qualifying was a kick to the gut, but the crew rallied and got the No. 6 ready to race in both events. I’m proud of them and the drivers for never missing a beat and overcoming all of the obstacles. We clearly had a car to win in both races and that second place feels like a win after the trials we faced.”
The team’s day began with the one hour and 40-minute IMSA Prototype Challenge race featuring the No. 6 Motel 6 Ligier JSP30. Goldburg started from fifth place but advanced quickly through the field locking down third place before handing the car over to Lindh. With 65-minutes remaining in the event Lindh used Goldburg’s momentum to his advantage, closing in on second place within his first five minutes in the car.
As time ticked down it was clear that the Motel 6 machine had the pace, strategy and drivers to win. Unfortunately, a late race restart would cause Lindh to get clipped by a competitor in the left rear. With three minutes remaining and first place in his grasps Lindh had to maneuver back to the garage and retire the car.
With the clock ticking the team immediately got to work fixing the damage in order to make the 1:10 p.m. ET recon lap for the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar race. Only 90-minutes later the car was repaired and rebranded as the No. 38 Ligier JSP320 with Goldburg once more behind the wheel. Due to switching chassis he had to start from the back of the class, however this handicap did little to thwart Goldburg’s precision and speed.
After 20-minutes of green flag racing Goldburg had pushed up through the field into first place. He maintained first for the remainder of his stint pitting with one hour and 53 minutes remaining and placing the reins into Lindh’s very capable hands for the second time today. As expected, Lindh took off from there, pushing the car to its limit and bringing it home in second place.
Next up for the No. 38 Ligier JSP320 is the Sahlen’s 6 Hours of The Glen, June 25-27. The race kicks off a 10-day, 2 race event with the No. 6 Motel 6 Ligier JSP320 joining the following weekend for IMSA Prototype Challenge Round 4. For ticket sales and schedule details visit on both events visit https://www.imsa.com/weathertech/weathertech-2021-schedule/.
QUOTE BOARD
Dan Goldburg, Driver of the No. 6 Motel Ligier JSP320 and the No. 38 Ligier JSP320
“This finish is bittersweet,” Goldburg said. “We had a tough weekend in almost all sessions leading up to this, so I'm really happy for the team and Motel 6 to come home with a second-place finish. The team really powered through a lot. From switching cars to a brake failure right before the WeatherTech race we all muscled through. For me personally, these were two of my best drives in both Prototype Challenge and WeatherTech. Specifically, in WeatherTech, I had to use every tool in my kit to pull off passes at the twisty and tricky Mid-Ohio. I'm very happy with my drive from last to first, and Rasmus matched pace with all the best drivers in both series. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough for the win today, but it will come soon, I'm sure.”
Rasmus Lindh, Driver of the No. 6 Motel Ligier JSP320 and the No. 38 Ligier JSP320
“We had a bit of issues with the 38 car all weekend eventually blowing the engine,” Lindh said. “We modified the No. 6 car so it could run both races. We had very good pace in the IPC race then had a mechanical failure. The guys pushed to get the car fixed for the WeatherTech race and did an amazing job. We had to start from last and we were able to drive up to second which is not bad. Now we can get ready for the next race.