Lime Rock to Play Key Role in Crowning IMSA Champs at FCP Euro Northeast Grand Prix
Lime Rock to Play Key Role in Crowning IMSA Champs at FCP Euro Northeast Grand Prix
The production-based classes of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and Michelin Pilot Challenge are set to come down to the wire, and the FCP Euro Northeast Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park on July 15-16 will likely play a major role in determining the champions.
With a 100-point differential between first and sixth places – in addition to points for qualifying – the championships are very much up for grabs.
New England Showdown Expected for FCP Euro Northeast Grand Prix
With only three rounds remaining following the FCP Euro Northeast Grand Prix, the battle in GTD Pro – IMSA’s newest class – is coming right down the wire, with Porsche, Corvette, Lexus, BMW and Aston Martin teams fighting tooth and nail for the title.
Canada’s Pfaff Motorsports holds a narrow 138-point lead on the strength of winning two of the last three races in the plaid No. 9 Porsche 911 GT3R of Mathieu Jaminet and Matt Campbell. Sebring winners Jordan Taylor and Antonio Garcia run second in the No. 3 Corvette Racing C8.R.
Also in striking distance are the No. 14 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 with lead driver Ben Barnicoat – 207 points back – and Ross Gunn and Alex Riberas in the No. 23 Heart of Racing Aston Martin Vantage, 236 points in arrears.
The GTD title race is even closer. Following the race at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, Stevan McAleer has yet to win in the No. 32 Team Korthoff Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3, but consistency has given him a slim 5-point margin over the Daytona-winning No. 16 Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3R of Jan Heylen and Ryan Hardwick.
New England favorite Turner Motorsport has Bill Auberlen and Robby Foley only 44 points back in the No. 96 BMW M4 GT3, while Roman De Angelis is 105 points behind in the No. 27 Heart of Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3. Other contenders include Jeff Westphal and Robert Megennis, 216 points back in the No. 39 CarBahn with Peregrine Racing Lamborghini Huracan GT3, and Frankie Montecalvo, 269 counters in arrears in the No. 12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3.
Fifteen cars are on the pre-event entry list – five in GT Daytona Pro (GTD PRO) and 10 in GT Daytona (GTD). Drivers, teams and manufacturers in both classes will be competing for points that count toward the season championship. GTD entries will also earn points for the IMSA WeatherTech Sprint Cup.
Read about the Michelin Pilot Challenge Championship here
Tickets
Fans are encouraged to reserve tickets and camping spots ahead of the weekend. Advanced general admission tickets start at $70, with full weekend passes, VIP Fan Hospitality Tent and Semi-Private Cabana upgrades available.
Veterans and Active Military receive free General Admission to all major racing events, including the FCP Euro Northeast Grand Prix with a valid military id. Youth 12 and under are also free.
Race weekend will kick off with a free community event in Millerton, New York. See the IMSA cars up close and meet the IMSA stars for autographs at Millerton Inn on Thursday, July 16 from 6-8pm.
For more information visit: Northeast Grand Prix – Lime Rock Park
Quick Links:
FCP Euro Northeast Grand Prix Entry List
EDITOR’S NOTE: Only drivers in the championships are listed; in the case of multiple co-drivers, the driver who scored the most points is listed.
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