A display of pure grit, determination and teamwork rewarded Rebel Rock Racing during a challenging Road America 120 on Saturday as the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge entered its final phase of the 2025 season.
While an 18th-place finish was not the result either Frank DePew or Robin Liddell traveled to Wisconsin for, the manner in which it was achieved was a credit to the unbreakable spirit of the team from DeLand, FL.
Having sustained race-ending damage when blamelessly involved in a high-speed, multi-car, incident at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park three weeks previously, the Rebel Rock crew had worked flat-out to prepare the spare Aston Martin Vantage GT4 EVO.
That they managed this in the time available was remarkable in itself. That both DePew and Liddell were able to set competitive lap times during practice and qualifying for the two-hour race at Road America was a testament to the standards set by the organisation.
Confident of moving up from his eighth-row starting position at a track where he and Liddell had won twice together in the IMPC, DePew was desperately unlucky to be involved in a collision at just the race’s second corner.
Forced off the road by the contact, the Virginia native was hit hard by another car as he rejoined the track. This broke part of the Aston Martin’s left-front suspension and led to DePew needing to be towed back to the pits.
Refusing to give up and admit defeat, the Rebel Rock crew set to work repairing the damage to #71 and miraculously had DePew back on his way in a little over 20 minutes.
While this effectively turned the rest of the race into an extended test session, clean and consistent stints by both DePew and Liddell – coupled to a high attrition rate in the GS class – meant they could recover from 22nd spot to 18th by the checkered flag.
Although a title challenge now looks unlikely, both drivers will be buoyed by the incredible spirit shown by the team this weekend when the IMPC season resumes at Virginia International Raceway on August 22-24.
Frank DePew:
It was an unfortunate 3 car incident in Turn 3 that resulted in our car being flat bedded back to our trailer, and me taking a required ride in the AMR medical car to be checked out by the superb medical staff. As they were clearing me to leave I was told the team needed me at the car to get back in the race. Honestly I had thought our day was over, but our team never gives up! We were obviously down many laps but staying out and finishing was quite nice given the circumstances!
Robin Liddell:
Obviously a disappointing result for the team this weekend but it was nice to see the Rebel Rock guys pulling together to get the car back into the race as quickly as possible. It didn’t seem as though the pace was really there with any of the Astons this weekend but ultimately it was a race of attrition which could have netted a reasonable points finish. We had a fast car at VIR last year so here’s hoping for a little more luck at Frank’s home track in a couple of weeks' time. We badly want our first win of 2025!