Braselton, GA --- There were great big smiles all around the Autocon paddock during Petit Le Mans week at Road Atlanta, as the crew and drivers got their hands on the team’s new Lola B07 toy, and definitely were not disappointed with lap times five seconds ahead of comparable scenarios at last year’s 10-hour enduro.

“The car was a revelation in comparison to the struggles over the past two years. It had no bad habits, was easily set-up and had predictable in behavior. And it was wicked fast in a straight line,” said Michael Lewis, team owner and driver. “The Chamberlain hand-off to us was very successful and all four of our drivers set personal bests at Road Atlanta within their first 7-8 laps.”

Two weeks earlier the all yellow car was purchased from Chamberlain-Synergy Racing in England. Just a week before the race, the car landed in the U.S., and as a testament to its former owner’s care and preparation, Autocon enjoyed a trouble-free mechanical week at the track, including two full weekend day tests before the start of the race week on Wednesday.

"I was 5 seconds quicker with this car and I can clearly see how to get some more. What more can I say?" said driver Bryan Willman, who got noticeably positive observations throughout the paddock and from Lewis who said Willman’s new karting regimen is beginning to pay dividends.

Willman and Lewis handled the weekend test day driving duties, reaching times as low as 1:11 around the 2.54-mile circuit; an average speed of 126 mph. The official race practice started Wednesday with driver Tony Burgess getting acclimated. Thursday morning driver Chris McMurry hoped in for a 13 lap date with the new girl, saying afterwards, “We’re back in the hunt. This is a great car!”
Thursday afternoon and Friday’s practice and qualifying sessions were skipped as the JeanRichard sponsored entry needed carbon fiber repairs at Elan Technologies following what seemed like a harmless spin from Willman in turn 10a. While sitting stationary on the track, and after multiple cars passed by safely, a Flying Lizard Porsche GT2 car inexplicably t-boned Willman. Driver was fine, but a few long nights would be needed to fix the tub and make the Lola race-ready.

Just before midnight on Friday, the car arrived in the paddock back from Elan, and by 3 a.m. the do-whatever-it-takes Autocon crew had the #12 ready to go for Saturday’s 11 a.m. green flag. Missing qualifying, though, meant starting from the back of the field, which Lewis added is generally a non-issue in a 10-hour race (and Audi proved by starting last and winning overall 10 hours later).

McMurry earned the first stint and wasted no time blasting through the GT field, and then making his way through some prototypes. After the opening double stint from McMurry, Autocon was running 15th overall out of the star-studded 38-car field, and 6th in class among 10 P1-class entrants. Burgess was next up and didn’t disappoint moving up to 12th overall and 5th in class, before getting hit at the top of turn 3 by a GT entry that misjudged the break zone, sending Autocon into the tire barrier. Once again, driver was okay. But, the game was over.

“It was just a hell of a way to end the day. Everything was going along nicely. No mechanical issues whatsoever, and the drivers were all quick and sensible in a race that was otherwise marred by double digital yellow flags and level of aggression and contact among the competitors that really underscores how intense the racing has gotten in the American Le Mans Series,” said Lewis.

Sidenotes

Autocon participated in the Motorsports Ministries annual 3-hour karting fundraiser, and finished first on the track and in the good citizen rankings. “Oh, I think we started something like 16th and were quickly running in 2nd place overall. That’s when all the philanthropy kicked in!”

The event allows teams to buy black flags and positions through donations to the charity. “I thought it paid to be upfront? Turns out being upfront meant we were a target and we were constantly black flagged, all in good fun. Before I knew it we had been ‘assigned’ to the 13th position,” said Autocon crew chief and weekend karter Joe Geldert.

But, Autocon saved the best for last, cutting a side deal with the Ministry. “As the purest privateer team in the American Le Mans Series paddock, we rarely outspend the competition. The fundraiser was our night though, and Richard was good enough to accept our large donation in exchange for an assured victory,” said McMurry. “We figured it was our turn to finance a win!”

Next Race

The season wraps up with The Monterey Sports Car Championship, a 4-hour race at Laguna Seca, Oct. 18 at 2:45 p.m. PDT, and airing via tape delay on CBS Oct. 19 at 11 a.m. PDT.