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By 2:55pm ET today, we will have reached the exact halfway point of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season for 2024. The Checkered Flag will fall at Watkins Glen International and every team and driver will have the opportunity to assess where they are and what they have to do prior to the season’s second half.
In that respect, Rebel Rock Racing will be no different from every other GS Class contender. The primary job for the team from Deland, Florida is to get to half time with no drama, no self inflicted wounds and another haul of Championship points. The team’s average points per race in 2024 puts it on pace to finish the season with 2550 which would be 120 points ahead of the total for last season’s Champions in GS.
The pre-season forecast for the brand new Aston Martin Vantage GT4 assumed a steep initial learning curve leading to the development of a competitive package by the Summer. Summer officially started on June 20th and the team’s second position in the title race may force a rethink in terms of the goals for 2024 and, by extension, the expectations for each race.
For Team Owner and starting driver, Frank DePew the current points position will have little or no impact on his approach to the opening stint of the two hour race. “My approach, as it is for every starting driver, is to drive my stint with a good pace and no mistakes and turn the car over to Robin with no damage and in a good position to race for the podium.”
A Top 3 is a realistic aim despite the team’s lack of track time at the 3.45 mile eleven turn track in Upstate New York. “I think the car is fundamentally well suited to The Glen,” explained Team Manager and Driver, Robin Liddell. “The layout is fast and smooth and the Vantage is inherently stable at the rear. I think we are in the mix, pace wise and keen to see what we can do this afternoon.”
Watkins Glen International is the first track on the Michelin Pilot Challenge schedule at which Rebel Rock has not been able to test. A fact of which Liddell is well aware. “It has been a challenge as we haven’t tested here and I think it’s becoming increasingly obvious that we need to test more if we are to maximize our performance each time we race at a track that is new to the platform.”
The Green Flag for the Esses 120, Round 5 of the 2024 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge at Watkins Glen International drops at 12:55pm ET. The race is live on Peacock in the USA. For International viewers without a TV broadcaster, the race can be seen live at IMSA.TV. IMSA Radio will also have non-stop live coverage of the race. For full event coverage please follow Rebel Rock Racing on Twitter at @RebelRockRacing, on Instagram at @rebelrockracing and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rebelrockracing2.0.