Everything ready for the Mid-Ohio weekend
AT 1PM THURSDAY AFTERNOON, TEAMS STARTED SETTING UP FOR ACURA SPORTS CAR CHALLENGE WEEKEND
Teams were unpacking and setting up in the garages at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and tech inspection was already underway with teams lining up through the afternoon.
It will be a busy weekend at Mid-Ohio as the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA, Prototype Challenge, Michelin Challenge and WeatherTech Championship will be on track.
Today was also a promoter test day for the Porsche GT3 Cup, Prototype Challenge and Michelin Challenge working on their set-up for the coming race. Fortunate time as the weather looks to be not cooperating Friday with rain showers all day forecasted.
Walking through the paddocks, we came across some of our Canadian drivers and teams. Mark Wilkins, driving the Hyundai Veloster N for Bryan Herta Autosport was in communication with his co-driver and also team personnel . A brief conversation with Kuno Wittmer, driving the Compass Racing McLaren 570S GT4, saying the IMSA officials have adjusted the BOP once more and the team was working on understanding the changes it brought to the car. We will certainly get his feedback tomorrow after official practice. Jesse Lazare was seen behind the pitwall late afternoon, his work done for the day.
Pfaff Motorsport with Scott Hargrove and Zach Robichon were seen walking the track late afternoon. And AIM Vasser Sullivan close neighbours in the garages to Pfaff Motorsports. And yes, Compass Racing is at Mid-Ohio with its new McLaren 720S GT3. Only one team has not been seen in the paddock and that is Montaplast by Land Motorsport and Daniel Morad.
Attending this race for the first time, it was a great opportunity to walk the track today to get a better understanding of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. And so did many drivers along with their team engineers to exchange ideas and thoughts about track conditions, race set-up and preferred lines through corners. Some jogged their way around others chose the comfort of a gulf cart but most walked. Team Penske with Juan Pablo Montoya and then Helio Castroneves with teammate Ricky Taylor walked past us in corner 4-5-6. This section has quite a bit of elevation changes and it was interesting to hear their comments and see where they would stand on the racing line. Actually, the entire track has considerable elevations changes and not giving drivers and cars a lot of time to breathe. It will make for an exciting race for sure.
We will find out starting Friday if this walk will bare fruits!
Action starts tomorrow 8am for the Porsche GT3 Cup then Prototype Challenge will be on track. WeatherTech Championship will take to the track for 1h15m followed by the Michelin Challenge. It is all about practice sessions tomorrow as qualifying is to take place Saturday.
Images: PMstills Photography
