We are going to be at the halfway mark in this race, soon. BMW not running at Le Mans, may have hurt them a bit. But, they also tested, and have been improving their car. Performance, is a moving target. But, they were also helped, by being able to test. Next week's race at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, will be different, with an old surface. There have been reports of overheating in the power steering systems. Downforce and power are key at CTMP. You will hear about that race, in short order. We continue to focus on this race, as the Corvette and the Mazda continue to battle. Barbosa and Nunez continue to scrap for the race lead. This is a fascinating battle. Andrew Davis just had to bring the #6 Audi back to pit lane for another cut down tire. The sharp curbs on the side of the track are causing the tires to be cut down. Stay off the curbs to make it to the end. Do not exceed track limits.
Oliver Gavin runs seventh in GT Le Mans, and have been as high as third in class. The two yellow Corvette's currently run nose to tail. You just need to hang tough during these endurance races. Ford has been showing pace. The #31 Corvette Prototype pits. Dane Cameron is back underway. Max Angelelli is struggling with his drink bottle in car #10 at the moment. To get the downforce on the Mazda, you have to maximize downforce. You can't do that on a rough surface. But, you can, here at Watkins Glen with the repave. Jeff Segal is in the lane with the #63 Scuderia Corsa Ferrari 488 GTE. They could have had a turbo clamp problem. They have a problem with the engine here, trying to help team mates Alessandro Balzan and Christina Nielsen, to a win.
The #63 was warned about over boost. Pippo Derani has stopped from seventh in the Tequila Patron ESM Ligier Honda. Joao Barbosa continues to lead overall as we work through the third of six hours, here at Watkins Glen. We have a battle royal shaping nup aftr pit stops. #55, #5, and #60 battle. Spencer Pigot takes over the car, and he has fresh tires as well. Pigot had a top ten in IndyCar competition at Road America, last weekend. Corvette runs wide, and makes a monster pass on Pigot with hot tires and great line into turn nine. Joel Miller in the sister #70 Mazda Prototype didn't make a stop. He is stretching the mileage, sharing with Tom Long and Ben Devlin. Jordan Taylor has also taken over the #10 car after their most recent pit stop.
The #63 Ferrari lost power because of a loose sensor that has to be zip tied down. The AER built Mazda powerplant is running well, but the #70 car has a fuel spill, due to the fuel hose being stuck in the car, and the fuel spilled, as there was a signal for the car to accelerate, after the fuel probe was stuck in the vent. #55 is now in the lane. The #70 gets a penalty. Ben Devlin is driving. Joao Barbosa stretches his lead over Spencer Pigot. Dane Cameron runs in third place. We are two and a half hours into this race. Oliver Gavin chases down Bill Auberlen in one of the BMW's that just made a pit stop. Alex Popow is second in Prototype Challenge, with Mark Wilkins behind. But, Wilkins spun, and the CORE Autosport racer, is off the pace. Kenton Koch is leading in the #38 machine.
Robert Alon has also retired the #52 PR1/Mathiasen car, with alternator problems. Alon had been sharing the car, with Robert Alon, Jose Guttierez, and Tom Kimber-Smith on the driver's strength. Mark Wilkins is an effective enduro driver, and he partners with Bennett and Braun. A good battle for fifth between Marc Goossens and Olivier Pla, while the BMW makes a pit stop for fuel and tires. Olivier Pla in the Ligier Honda, chases down Marc Gooossens through the final corner at turn 11. Ben Devlin, meanwhile, works his way down through The Boot, including the laces, the heel, and the toe. Our GTD leader is in the lane. Matt Bell stays at the wheel of the #9 Audi R8. Bell sharing with Lawson Aschenbach.
The #911 Porsche pits. Patrick Pilet and Nick Tandy, have had a fraught race and haven't had the pacethey wanted. The #54 PC car has had to change an upright, and Mario Farnbacher was blocked in the pits by that car getting repaired. Leh Keen has also passed and they are into the thick of it for GT Daytona honors. Action at The Glen, is hot and heavy. The lead battle is starting to simmer. Can Pippo Derani catch Joao Barbosa. Ryan Briscoe pits and so does the sister car. Ford runs 1-2 in GT Le Mans. Pippo Derani slices inside Spencer Pigot through the Inner Loop. The #54 car is back on track after having the upright changed on the right front corner of the car.
Pippo Derani and Joao Barbosa chase Brtiscoe. Derani is trying to get by Barbosa and can't quite do it. The #48 Lamborghini is trying to recover. Bryce Miller is at the controls now. Dane Cameron is now fourth. Ten minutes now remain before bonus points are awarded and we get to the end of hour three. Joao Barbosa leads Pippo Derani and Spencer Pigot as the #48 Lamborghini continues to have a fraught race. The drive line may be out on the Lamborghini. Tire issues have caused a drive line issue. The engine speed is flaring, but the car isn't driving.
Bonus points will be awarded in a couple minutes. We watch Marc Goossens running in sixth place. Troy Flis from VisitFlorida Racing, went to the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and they might just go to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, next June. VisitFlorida could partner with a European team, and try to get the funding to make it work. Starworks will also likely go back. We are just past halfway here at the 6 Hours of the Glen.
We're at the three hour mark and Pippo Derani passes for the lead!
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