Frank DePew and Robin Liddell were primed to challenge for a podium finish in their #71 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 when the latter was hit with just 20 minutes remaining and spun down the order.
Unperturbed, the Scotsman fought back with his damaged car from 10th place and gained three further spots before the checkered flag. Such a result was the minimum the team from DeLand, FL, deserved after a weekend that began with Liddell setting the pace in opening practice on Thursday and then going second-fastest in FP2.
DePew had also put in some fast and consistent lap times during the two sessions and this was reflected with 14th place in qualifying: the team's best result since switching to the Aston Martin platform last year. Despite losing a wing mirror on the exit of the The Glen's final turn, Frank drove flawlessly; managing an understeering car with consistent pace to climb to P11 before the pitstops began at the 40-minute mark. Handing driving duties over to Robin after 45 minutes, it seemed as if a significant position gain would come, but an unfortunately-timed safety car 10 minutes later changed that.
At this point, all the cars that had yet to pit were able to stop, swap drivers, change tires and take on enough fuel to reach the end of the race, while Robin – as a precaution – also pitted for a top-up to ensure a ‘splash and dash’ would not be necessary later on. While this limited any position gain at this stage, Robin did make up three spots thanks to quick pit work by the Rebel Rock crew and resumed racing with 50 minutes to go in eighth spot.
Some ultra-fast laps – including the fastest of the race – plus some well-judged overtaking moves elevated the 2015 series champion to sixth spot, but it was at this stage – with 20 minutes left – that he was hit by a rival and spun off the track. While the other driver was given a 10-second time penalty for his part in the incident, Robin was forced into fightback mode and brilliantly made up three more positions by the checkered flag.
Frank and Robin have maintained seventh place in theDrivers’ Championship at the halfway point of theseason, but are now just 190 points – the equivalent of a 12th-place finish – away from second in the standings.
The next race is the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park 120 in Canada on July 11-12.