|
 |
|
|
|
|
CORE Autosport Racing For Victory, And Ralph, At Petit Le Mans
The team and driver championships are clinched. Points are not a factor. The only goal for CORE autosport is victory this Saturday at the season finale of the 2012 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) season, the 10-hour / 1000-mile Petit Le Mans powered by Mazda.
|
|
|
Which of the CORE autosport drivers will stand on that top step is the question. The #05 Composite Resources ORECA FLM09 will be piloted by team owner / founder Jon Bennett, motorsports phenom Colin Braun and 2011 ALMS Prototype Challenge (PC) driver champion and former #06 driver Ricardo Gonzalez.
The sister #06 Soloson Import machine will feature 2012 ALMS PC driver champion Alex Popow, 2012 24 Hour Le Mans class winner and newly-crowned FIA WEC P2 champion Ryan Dalziel, and accomplished racer Mark Wilkins.
CORE autosport has only competed at Petit Le Mans once, in 2011, with a third-place class finish for the #06 car (30th overall when factoring in the four other classes) and a fifth place for the #05 (35th overall), resulting in the team’s first ALMS PC team championship and a tie for the driver’s title.
In 2012, CORE autosport has dominated the hotly-contested PC class, with seven wins, 16 podium finishes and early clinching of the team and driver championships.
But it’s not just about the victory for CORE autosport. The team will also be “Racing for Ralph” as a tribute to the recovery of Ralph Brown, who survived a brain aneurism on September 22nd.
Brown, affectionately known as “Dr. Fast Wax,” is the first CORE autosport crew member. His primary position is General Manager of Composite Resources, the business that #05 ORECA FLM09 driver Jon Bennett began to fund his racing career, but his motorsport involvement goes back even further. He was by Bennett’s side as Bennett progressed through the SCCA and IMSA ranks, as a travel companion, crew member and support system.
Brown has been a fixture at every CORE autosport event since the team was created and represents the heart and soul of the Rock Hill-based organization. Thankfully, with a combination of excellent medical care and support by family, friends, colleagues and racers, Brown is expected to make a full recovery.
Practice begins for the Petit Le Mans powered by Mazda at the 12-turn, 2.54-mile Road Atlanta circuit begins on Wednesday, October 17th. Qualifying will be held on Friday, October 19th and the race starts at 11:30 a.m. (ET) on Saturday the 20th. Live coverage of qualifying and the race can be found on ESPN3.com, while a special two-hour special will televise on ABC-TV at 1 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, October 21st.
PaddockTalk Perspective
|
|
|
Also in American Le Mans Series News: |
|
| |
|
