Followers might lament the absence of the GTP vehicles from this weekend’s Chevrolet Grand Prix at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, however devotees of LMP2 are excited for the category to have its flip within the limelight, and most definitely that’s true among the many drivers.
“I believe it’s neat from an LMP2 class perspective, what IMSA has carried out to offer this class a highlight race the place they will compete for the general win,” says Colin Braun, who will share the No. 04 CrowdStrike Racing by APR ORECA with George Kurtz. “I believe that makes it actually enjoyable for us as groups and good for our sponsors and companions, and simply brings some consciousness to how nice the racing is within the class. I believe oftentimes there are some storylines that perhaps go untold or unseen from the TV facet, simply because there’s a lot good racing in IMSA proper now you’ll be able to’t cowl every little thing.
“So it’ll be neat to essentially have some highlight on that and showcase what the category is about. I believe with the truth that we’re all in the identical vehicles, there’s no BoP to speak about, there’s no completely different efficiency ranges … it’s how good every crew executes and the way good the drivers and engineers can provide you with a setup that that’s quick.”
Braun has had his share of general wins, similar to final yr at CTMP when he and Tom Blomqvist took the victory in GTP. The identical is true for a number of of the GTP regulars entering into LMP2 equipment this weekend as their common drivers are competing within the World Endurance Championship race in Brazil. That record consists of Renger van der Zande becoming a member of John Farano within the No. 8 Tower Motorsports ORECA; Filipe Albuquerque with Daniel Goldburg within the United Autosports No. 22; Pipo Derani driving the No. 88 AF Corse entry with Luis Pérez Companc; and Louis Deletraz repeating his stint from the 24 Hours of Le Mans with PJ Hyett in AO Racing’s No. 99 ORECA.
For the Bronze drivers in LMP2, nevertheless, most haven’t had the chance to compete for an general victory in IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competitors. Braun says that’s a side that he and Kurtz have mentioned, and he’s excited for the beginning drivers to have an opportunity to shine.
“The primary a part of the race in a few of these dash races, and even the longer-format races, there’s not as a lot concentrate on what occurs in that first stage. They kind of go to it in direction of the center, to the tip of the race. However, man, these Bronzes are so good — they’re so aggressive, they drive so nicely, and the racing amongst themselves in the beginning of those races is incredible,” Braun says. “So I believe we’re excited for the followers to get an opportunity to see how intense the opening stints are for the Bronze guys and the way good the racing is.”
Gar Robinson is one other desirous to make waves up entrance as he works by means of his first yr of LMP2 competitors after a couple of very profitable years in LMP3.
“My dad [George Robinson] has a few general wins in Grand Am, IMSA again within the day, and having the chance to match these numbers like that’s one thing I discover fairly cool to have the chance to do,” he says. “However on the finish of the day, it’s additionally only a race and one thing we have to concentrate on for the general championship. I believe with the tempo that we’ve been displaying now, we’ve been studying and dealing on through the break, I believe that’s actually beginning to present and we’re all getting actual snug with these vehicles and something’s potential.”
LMP2 vehicles haven’t had an opportunity to discover the wide-open areas of CTMP since 2019. Scott LePage/Motorsport Photos
This would be the first time LMP2 has competed at CTMP since 2019, so a number of drivers that haven’t been competing in different courses are relishing the chance to have one other crack on the quick 2.459-mile, 10-turn highway course in addition to the chance to go for the general win.
“I believe it’s good for the championship,” says Ryan Dalziel, who could have a brand new co-driver this weekend within the No. 18 Period Motorsports ORECA, Stuart Wiltshire. “I believe it’s gonna be quick — it’s been some time since we’ve been there and it seems like they resurfaced some stuff.
“I believe it’s good for the LMP2 class on the whole to be the the lead occasion. I keep in mind again within the Atlantic days after we obtained to be headliner at Trois-Rivieres — it’s slightly little bit of a morale increase that we’re not taking part in second fiddle to the GTPs.”
The 2h40m Chevrolet Grand Prix for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship kicks off on Sunday at 11:05am ET. Reside protection on USA Community begins at 11am. The race may even be streamed on Peacock.
