Road America Brings SpeedSource Closer to the Title 2012Grand-Am Rolex Series Round 7, Road America
As the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series approaches the midway point of the season, teams looked forward to revisiting Road America in Elkhart Lake, WI.
While Rolex teams prepared for the third race this month, SpeedSource hoped to step closer to the Championship Title after the successes they had at Belle Isle Park and Mid-Ohio.
The team saw the title within their grasps as they entered Road America.
Again great preparation at the shop paid dividends during Thursday afternoon's practice session as Jonathan Bomarito led all cars in the GT class.
The #70 Castrol Edge Modspace Mazda RX-8 ran a 2:12:150 on the 4 mile road course which built confidence leading into qualifying the next day.
After some additional setup work by both Bomarito and Sylvain Tremblay, the duo felt that they had a great race car for challenging the other Makes and Models.
Unfortunately, qualifying was rained out and the grid would be set based on points. This set SpeedSource to start from 4th in the GT field.
Saturday brought warm temperatures and sunshine as race fans flocked to the iconic road course. As the green flag soared, Tremblay methodically pushed the car forward in positions.
Within the race's opening laps, Tremblay and the #70 Castrol Edge Modspace Mazda RX-8 were at the front of the GT class engaged in a heavy battle for the Top 3 spots.
Great track position allowed the team to stick to their strategy. Another sound pit stop kept the car in contention as Jonathan Bomarito entered the car at the hour mark.
A final caution period near the race's end once again bunched up the GT class. At the restart, Bomarito drove on the edge of the spec Continental tires to pass competitors and secure another podium finish, eventually taking the checkered flag in 3rd.
The result moves the #70 Castrol Edge Modspace Mazda RX-8 to 3rd in standings for the Rolex Sports Car Series Championship.
29.6.2012
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