Frozen but Fighting; Performance Tech Motorsports Persistent Push at the Rolex 24

Performance Tech Motorsports relentlessly fought through the cold and chaotic 60th Running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

The No. 38 Cardio Access Ligier JSP320 was forced to retire with one hour and 50 minutes remaining in the Rolex 24 at Daytona after one of the most physically and mentally trying races to date. The entire field faced below-freezing temperatures that released unexpected mechanical gremlins in all the cars as well as created perilous conditions for the drivers to battle in.

After such a strong initial showing for the No. 38, Team Principal Brent O’Neill reflects on the race, his crew, and his drivers.

“It is a tough pill to swallow when you make it this far and then can’t take the checkered flag,” O’Neill said. “We were running up in the top three when an LMP2 took us out last night. After that, it was just a game of catch-up as we tried to keep the issues with the car under control. I’m really proud of the crew for pushing through and taking care of everything we threw at them. It was really tough conditions for them and the drivers. We’ll pack up, head home, and come back stronger at the next one.”

The team welcomed three drivers making their Rolex 24 at Daytona debut this weekend, Dan Goldburg, Nico Pino, and Hikaru Abe, as well as one race veteran, Garett Grist. Goldburg had the honors of piloting the No. 38 to the start of the event, impressively navigating through a field of 60 competitors. He worked his way from eighth to third place, passing the reins to Abe followed by Pino who both ran clean opening stints.

As the sunset and temperatures dropped Pino settled into the red and black machine, taking note of what components of the car were most affected by the low temperature. He climbed out at the six-hour mark, letting Goldburg buckle in for his first-night stint of the race. With 15-minutes remaining in Goldburgs’ stint a rogue LMP2 car sent him and the No. 38 spinning, causing a large amount of damage to the car's left rear.

The crew rallied to complete the extensive repairs, sending Grist back out with what they hoped was a race-ready machine. However, as the evening unfolded more and more issues began to present themselves, sending the car back to the pitlane and the garage on multiple occasions.  With one hour and 50 minutes remaining a drive train issue would seal the No. 38’s fate, leaving the team with no choice but to retire from the race.

The team now heads back to its headquarters to prep for yet another endurance race; the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. The event will take place from March 16-19 and will feature the IMSA WeatherTech sportscar Championship as well as the World Endurance Championship for a super sportscars week. For more information on the event visit https://www.imsa.com/events/2022-mobil-1-twelve-hours-of-sebring-presented-by-advance-auto-parts/.

QUOTE BOARD

Dan Goldburg, Full Season Driver of the No. 38 Ligier JSP320

“I'm proud of the Performance Tech team and our engineer Nathan Toney, they executed very very well,” Goldburg said. “It was also a pleasure running with some new and talented teammates. I'm disappointed we didn't give Garett a car to fight for a win at the end because he's a rocket in these LMP3’s.”

“I ran a solid first two-hour stint; those two hours were pretty hot in the car as the team had all the venting closed up for the impending cold. I was drained after that but took a two-hour break and was ready to go again. My second two-hour stint was going well, we were about fifteen seconds behind the leader, so all was going to plan until it didn't. An LMP2 car ran into me in Turn 2. I had no idea he was there, and he hit my left side breaking parts and sending me spinning with a light brush of the wall. I was really hard on myself for a while thinking I had blown the race for the team. I was the driver in the car at the time, so it was my job to keep the car safe, but after watching the video I really didn't have much of a chance to know he was there.”

“I got back in the car for an iconic stint, the sunrise stint. I had to drive by feel in a few places with no visibility. Also, something new, seeing my breath inside the car. That was bizarre.

It was a great experience, I learned a lot and of course, am disappointed not to be there at the end but such is racing.”

Garett Grist, Driver of the No. 38 Ligier JSP320

“Obviously the result is not what we wanted it to be but I think we had a great Roar and 24 Hour,” Grist said.  “I want to thank Performance Tech for having me for this event, It was our first time working together and I really enjoyed it. The team and mechanics did a really good job especially with getting us back on track. My teammates all did a good job and were great to be around.”