Performance Tech Motorsports’ Eventful Weekend at Watkins Glen International

Performance Tech Motorsports climbed and conquered a mountain this weekend at Watkins Glen International.

The Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen provided the team with more trials in one weekend than most competitors face all season. The team kicked off the weekend with the delayed arrival of a new engine as well as a faulty and a forgotten part by the distributor. The crew had only five hours to install the engine and get the car setup for the first practice, a remarkable feat.

The weekend served as Dan Goldburg, Mateo Llarena and Rasmus Lindh’s Watkins Glen International debuts; however, their outright pace and consistency would lead you to believe otherwise. Goldburg qualified the No. 38 in fourth place, a prime position to push on the start. Using strategic racecraft we worked up to third place when tragedy struck. A GTD car collided with the No. 38 causing substantial damage to the radiator, leaving the team no choice but to go to the garage for repairs.

Upon returning to the garage the team made quick work of getting the car back together. However, once complete it became clear the engine has suffered a catastrophic issue. A new race has begun as the team works to get another engine for the WeatherTech 240, July 1-2. With only three days until the first on-track session and no spare engines in the country Team Principal Brent O’Neill and his crew will have to pool all their resources and time to pull off nothing short of a miracle.

“This weekend was just another test and lesson for the team,” O’Neill said. “The guys did a great job of getting the engine in on Friday before Practice One. The drivers were quick, especially seeing as this is their first time here. The crew got the car back together quickly and if it weren’t for engine issues, we would have been able to finish the race. Now we just have to wait and see if Katech can get us an engine in time for next week’s race.”

Next up for the No. 38 Centinel Spine Ligier JSP320 is the WeatherTech 240 next weekend, July 1-2, at Watkins Glen International. The No. 38 will be joined by sister car, The No. 6 Motel 6 Ligier JSP320 as it competes in IMSA Prototype Challenge Round 4. Ticket sales and schedule details for the event can be found here https://www.imsa.com/events/2021-watkins-glen-international-2/.

QUOTE BOARD

Dan Goldburg, Driver of the No. 38 Centinel Spine Ligier JSP320
"Ugh, tough weekend,” Goldburg said. “I'm disappointed personally as I was in the car and take responsibility for not avoiding the hit; and disappointed for the team, Rasmus, Mateo, Centinel Spine and our other sponsors. Due to scheduling issues, we came into this weekend without testing and all three drivers never having been here before. We knew it was going to be tough. I started the race with a total of 45 minutes on the track ever, plus SIM time before coming.”

“I qualified fourth and I believe I was running in fourth at the time. I was navigating through GTD traffic and got hit in the back corner at Turn One. I think my lack of experience at the track was a factor in the incident. I just don't yet have the knowledge of where and when I can pass the GTDs like I do at the other tracks. The hit busted the radiator, temperatures went up, so I had to bring the car in. The team went to work fixing it but it turned out to be irreparable engine issues due to running hot, so our day is over. We're back next week so we'll lick our wounds, learn from the track time we did get, and be back in better form for next weekend!”

Mateo Llarena, Driver of the No. 38 Centinel Spine Ligier JSP320
“It was quite a good weekend,” Llarena said. “It was my first time at this track, and I was able to get back in the LMP3 car after some months away from it. It’s good to get back in and get used to it. My highlight for this weekend is the track, it’s fast and fun. Unfortunately, I did not get to drive during the race but these things happen in racing so I will look forward to next time.”

Rasmus Lindh, Driver of the No. 38 Centinel Spine Ligier JSP320
“It’s hard as a driver when the race ends before you get a chance to drive,” Lindh said. “We got data this weekend which will be helpful for next weekend so now we just move forward. Thank you, Performance Tech Motorsports and my sponsors, for this opportunity