DePew’s second-place finish in the GSX Bronze category aboard the #72 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 equalled his best-ever result in the class.
Rebel Rock Racing’s VP Challenge program has run alongside its IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge campaign since 2023 and has been instrumental in developing DePew’s race craft and speed thanks to increased seat time during a season.
This clearly bore fruit in Canada with Frank qualifying a best-ever fourth in GSX overall and third in Bronze; his lap times consistently more than one second quicker than a year ago.
Having run consistently in contention for a bronze podium, he took advantage of a late Full-Course Caution period that bunched the field together and secured that all-important second-place result.
What could have been an even more spectacular weekend was blunted somewhat by an unfortunate incident that ended the sister #71 Aston Martin’s hopes in Saturday afternoon’s two-hour IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge race.
The pace of the Vantage GT4 was made clear when Robin Liddell set the fastest practice time on Friday evening. This was followed by Frank qualifying 14th to equal the team’s best starting position since switching to the Aston Martin.
Frank climbed to 11th during an excellent opening stint and Robin – after climbing aboard at the 40-minute mark – continued the climb to run as high as fourth overall while setting the race’s second-fastest lap.
With 40 minutes to go Robin was hugely unlucky to be collected at high-speed by the aftermath of a three-car collision on the main straight. While the Scotsman was unhurt, the right-front wheel was ripped from the car, meaning the end of his race.
Frank DePew: Since we tested here prior to the race I was able to get up to speed quickly in the first practice for the VPRC in Aston Marty. I was a little disappointed by my qualifying effort although still an improvement in one of my weaknesses as a driver. In the big race I qualified reasonably well, and I feel that we were in a good position to have a shot at a podium or a win. Most of the field was trying to do a one-stop race, but we opted for an alternative strategy, so instead of hoping for yellows and having to save fuel, we went for a two-stop strategy.
Robin’s pace was great and we certainly felt like we had a shot at the podium or even the win! The accident was just one of those things that can happen in multi-class racing. Joe and his great Rebel Rock crew will be busy over the next week or so as we prepare for Road America, but we’ll be ready.
Robin Liddell: Frank drove really well all weekend so it was great to see him getting on the podium in VP Challenge. In the main event however it was another frustrating race given the pace of the car as I unfortunately got caught up in someone else’s accident on the back straight. Three cars tangled ahead of me bouncing off the barriers and as I came through the clouds of dust and debris I simply had nowhere to go, clipping the spinning BMW which ripped off our front left wheel and suspension. A disappointing finish after a great team effort.