BAR 1 Motorsports Will Grid Two Cars at Petit Le Mans for the Final Running of Prototype Challenge Cars
BAR 1 Motorsports Will Grid Two Cars at Petit Le Mans for the Final Running of Prototype Challenge Cars The 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship will fire the engines for the final time this season at Road Atlanta for the 20th Anniversary Motul Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta on Saturday, Oct. 7. The final WeatherTech Championship race in the history of the Prototype Challenge (PC) class will see BAR1 Motorsports with two entries, the No. 20 Southwest Funding / One Capital ORECA with Don Yount, Daniel Burkett and 2004 Indy 500 winner Buddy Rice, and the No. 26 Top 1 Oil / Murder on the Orient Express ORECA with Garett Grist, Tomy Drissi and Jon Falb. “We’re excited for the weekend,�?? said BAR1 owner, Brian Alder. “There’s a bit of a party atmosphere among the guys on the crew. We all have some great memories of campaigning these cars and we’re really looking forward to having our friends from Top 1 Oil along for the ride. We’ve put a special livery on the No. 26 car featuring Top 1 and their “Made in America�?? campaign… and they’re being joined by Murder on the Orient Express… a new movie coming to theaters November 10th.�?? “Don [Yount] and Buddy [Rice] are back in the No. 20 Southwest Funding car, along with Daniel Burkett,�?? added Brian. “That car will also have a bit of new look, since Gas Monkey as updated some of their identity and packaging. We’ve been busy.�?? The (LeMans) Prototype Challenge class debuted in 2010. The PC prototype chassis is built by French manufacturer Oreca and known as the FLM09. The PC race cars use Chevrolet’s naturally aspirated V8 6.2L LS3 engine, although race modified, it's the very same engine that powers the Chevrolet Corvette and Camaro. The cars feature a full carbon fiber chassis, carbon brakes and an Xtrac sequential gearbox with paddle shifting. The cars weigh in at a mere 900 kilograms and can reach speeds of 175+ mph. “Obviously, we think it’s a shame these cars are going away,�?? said Alder. “There were times over the past seven years where the PC class provided positive numbers to entry list and some extremely close and exciting racing on the track. As a team, we were proud to be part of it.�?? In 2013 BAR1 ended season with three consecutive victories, including two double podiums. The team was second in 2013 PC team championship while Chris Cumming took second in driver championship. BAR 1 is currently sitting second and third in the 2017 Championship run. “We’re still putting the finishing touches on our 2018 plans,�?? added Alder. “Our goal is to continue competing in the WeatherTech Championships. Hopefully, we’ll make an official announcement shortly.�?? Practice for the WeatherTech Championship Motul Petit Le Mans gets under way Thursday, Oct. 5 with a one-hour session beginning at 11:10 a.m. ET. Thursday’s activities will include three WeatherTech Championship practice sessions, the second running from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. ET and night practice from 7:30 to 9 p.m. ET. Friday’s schedule calls for an hour-long practice session beginning at 11:40 a.m. ET, followed by qualifying, which begins at 4:20 p.m. ET. Saturday’s race day schedule includes a warm-up session from 8:30 to 8:50 a.m., with the green flag scheduled to fall on the Motul Petit Le Mans at 11:05 a.m. ET. Live FOX Sports coverage of the race begins at 10:30 a.m. ET on FS1 with live streaming throughout the race available on FSGO with FS1 authentication. FS2 will have two Motul Petit Le Mans live television windows, the first from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET and the second from 5 p.m. through the checkered flag and post-race activities ending at 9:30 p.m. ET. TOP 1 Oil For nearly 40 years, the TOP 1 brand has been built on a foundation of core values and beliefs that define who we are and provide the framework for how we operate. Formed by a unique partnership between two men from distinctly different backgrounds, cultures, and generations. On their own, they had little in common, but together they shared a bond based on trust, a passion for superior quality, and an indomitable “can do�?? spirit. We chose from day one to only source the highest quality raw materials. This is the only way we know – this is our passion. We chose from day one to only source the highest quality raw materials. This is the only way we know – this is our passion. In the spirit of our founders TOP 1 is a family that crosses barriers and joins people from around the world to hold in their hands a brand they call their own. We are grateful for the opportunities that our brand have brought us yet everyday we see opportunities to make our world better. We know we can’t change the world but we must make a difference no matter how big or small. By giving back to those who are less fortunate we open a door to hope and inspiration. Murder on the Orient Express - In Theaters November 10, 2017 A lavish train ride unfolds into a stylish & suspenseful mystery. From the novel by Agatha Christie, Murder on the Orient Express tells of thirteen stranded strangers & one man's race to solve the puzzle before the murderer strikes again. Directed by Kenneth Branagh. Starring Johnny Depp, Daisy Ridley, Michelle Pfeiffer Southwest Funding Southwest Funding, LP is a Direct Endorsement HUD approved mortgage banker and broker with over 80 locations nationwide. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas since 1993, the company has funded billions of dollars in mortgage loans. Southwest Funding currently is licensed to transact mortgage business in 16 states. ONE Capital Management ONE Capital Management has assembled a core of financial professionals with expertise in retirement solutions, wealth management, investment management and family office services. ONE provides cross border wealth management solutions through a strategic partnership with ONE Advanced Planning and caters to the unique needs of professional athletes and entertainers through their partnership with ONE Sports+Entertainment Group. http://www.onecapital.com/ <http://www.onecapital.com/> Gas Monkey Energy Gas Monkey Energy is a high-octane energy drink for true adrenaline junkies. It's fuel for those of you whose passions get you scraped, bruised, burnt or worse, yet it's what you love to do. Soon to be on shelves nationwide, Gas Monkey Energy is available in regular or light and can be purchased by the case online www.gasmonkeyenergy.com <http://www.gasmonkeyenergy.com/> BAR1 Motorsports BAR1 Motorsports competes in the WeatherTech Championship and Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Series. The team is located in Plain City, Ohio. Team owner, Brian Alder, has been an active and winning crew chief in the American Le Mans Series, now WeatherTech Championship, since its inception. You can find out more about BAR1 at www.bar1motorsports.com <http://www.bar1motorsports.com/>, follow the team on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Bar1Motorsports <http://www.facebook.com/Bar1Motorsports> or Twitter @bar1motorsports IMSA The International Motor Sports Association, LLC (IMSA) is the sanctioning body of the WeatherTech Championship, the road-racing series resulting from the merger of the American Le Mans Series and the GRAND-AM Sports Car Series. IMSA also sanctions the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge and the Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Powered by Mazda, as well as four single-make series: Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama, Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Michelin, Ferrari Challenge North America and Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America. IMSA is the exclusive strategic partner in North America with the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), which operates the 24 Hours of Le Mans as a part of the FIA World Endurance Championship. The partnership enables selected WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competitors to earn automatic entries into the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. ____________________________________ John Thawley Creative Communications Group 248.227.0110 http://www.c2group.com <http://www.c2group.com/>
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