ROCK HILL, S.C. (June 28, 2018) – After a month-long break, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship is back and kicking off a busy summer with the Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen at Watkins Glen International.
Romain Dumas will rejoin the Jon Bennett/Colin Braun pairing for the six-hour race, which counts as the third round of the Tequila Patrón North American Endurance Cup. All three CORE drivers were in Le Mans two weeks ago; Bennett and Braun for the Road to Le Mans support race and Dumas in the No. 94 Porsche GT Team entry for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Dumas is now fresh from the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, which he won overall.
Weather conditions are predicted to be especially hot in upstate New York this weekend, with highs topping 100F on race day.
Noteworthy
- CORE autosport won the PC class from pole at Watkins Glen in 2014.
- Jon Bennett is currently second in the Jim Trueman Award standings.
- Bennett finished 33rd and 21st in his Road to Le Mans races, while Braun was 13th and 36th.
- In addition to winning overall at Pikes Peak, Romain Dumas set a new lap record of 7:57.418.
JON BENNETT
Driver: No. 54 ORECA 07 LM P2
“It will be great to be back in the ORECA 07 this weekend. We had a great test here a few weeks ago and developed a great set up.
“Watkins Glen was repaved a few years ago and the grip level of this new pavement is absolutely amazing. The flowing corners and the incredible surface combine to produce a circuit that is fast and physical.
“Personally, I don’t spend a lot of time considering our points position until the Petit Le Mans race is on the horizon. For other teams, I suspect halfway is likely too soon to begin strategizing points. The tempo and competition has been at a high level all season. Watkins Glen will be super competitive. In addition, this is the third round of the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup. It will be an interesting event!”
COLIN BRAUN
Driver: ORECA 07 LM P2“I really like Watkins Glen because of the layout of the track. It’s got a great flow and rhythm to it. Add in the fact that we’re racing a P2 car there and that’s the kind of track that the P2 car is made for; the fast flowing corners where we can lean on the downforce and grip that the Oreca makes.
“I expect the heat will have less impact than it normally does on a hot weekend, because the actual surface of the race track at Watkins Glen has so much pure grip. The drivers and the crew guys are the ones that are going to be struggling for grip to stay upright I guess!
“This year, on the whole, I’ve been impressed with the quality of driving and racing by everyone in the IMSA paddock. We’ve had very few full-course cautions at all the races so far. The fairness and respect everyone has shown is good to see, although I wouldn’t mind having a few more yellows at Watkins Glen for sure!”
ROMAIN DUMAS
Driver: ORECA 07 LM P2“The last time and only time I’ve raced at Watkins Glen is in 2009 in a Daytona Prototype. I don’t really remember the track! I was with Timo Bernhard in the Penske Prototype at the time. I think we had an issue or a puncture on the last lap and we missed the podium and finished fourth and fifth.
“After Pikes Peak, I’m taking two days off in New York and I’ll be fully recharged and motivated for Watkins Glen. We did quite well in the first two rounds of the TPNAEC, so it’d be nice if we could continue and get a podium!”