Connect with us

Michelin Pilot Challenge

CTMP CTSC Weekend Notebook

John Dagys’ CTSC weekend notebook from Canada…

Photo: Jake Galstad/IMSA

Photo: Jake Galstad/IMSA

***Scott Maxwell eclipsed Matt Bell to become the all-time leading pole-winner in Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge history with his 13th career pole on Friday. It was the Canadian’s second straight pole and third in the last four races.

***The GS class sees a record-low grid of four cars this weekend, due to a number of different circumstances. “It’s really disappointing. It’s a sad state the series is in right now,” Maxwell told Sportscar365. “I don’t know what to say; four cars. It went from 30-40 car grids to four. It’s not good.”

***The second CJ Wilson Racing Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport is not here, due to Till Bechtolsheimer driving in the Le Mans Classic. The car will return for the next round at Lime Rock Park, as part of its previously announced six-race program with Bechtolsheimer.

***Both Automatic Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT4s, which were part of the eight-car GS entry at Watkins Glen are not here, while the pair of TGM Porsches withdrew after taking part in Thursday’s Promoter Test Day.

***While no official reason has been given on TGM’s withdrawal, it’s believed to be linked to a significant Balance of Performance adjustment imposed on the Cayman GT4 Clubsports this weekend. The cars have gained 100 pounds of minimum weight, on top of the 50-pound increase it received prior to Watkins Glen.

***The ST class pole-sitting No. 84 BimmerWorld BMW 328i had a drama-filled day, with a popped oil seal leading to spins for both James Clay and Tyler Cooke in both practice sessions. The team changed the engine after opening practice as a precaution, prior to Clay putting it on class pole.

***The ST class has remained at 27 cars for this weekend but with a number of driver changes. It includes Cameron Lawerence replacing Steve Eich in the No. 92 HART Honda Civic Si, Remo Ruscitti and Dillian Machavern in the No. 18 RS1 Porsche Cayman and Tom Dyer in for Kyle Gimple in the No. 75 C360R Audi S3.

***Additionally, there’s been a shakeup in the MINI JCW team, with Mark Pombo out for the weekend and having been replaced in the No. 37 car by James Vance, who moves over from the team’s No. 52 entry. Nate Norenberg, meanwhile, has taken Vance’s seat in the No. 52 car.

***Norenberg had a challenging opening practice as he nosed the Mini into the tire barriers. The car was repaired and qualified 27th in class.

***Compass 360 Racing has gone through a rebranding, effective this weekend. The Karl Thomson-owned team is now known as C360R on the entry lists, while also being identified as Compass Racing. The team again fields its pair of Audi S3 cars and the GS class Ford Shelby GT350R-C.

***CJ Wilson Racing partner One Sports is hosting 30 athletes from the NHL, Canadian Football League (CFL) and the Chicago Fire MLS team this weekend.

***Watch today’s race live on IMSA.tv beginning at 12:20 p.m. ET. The two-and-a-half hour race will be televised on Sun. July 17 at 12 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1.

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John

1 Comment
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

More in Michelin Pilot Challenge