BOLLINGBROOK, Ill, (July 19, 2016) - WeatherTech Racing drivers Cooper MacNeil (Hinsdale, Ill.) and Leh Keen (Charleston, S.C.) are ready for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Northeast Grand Prix to run at Lime Park, July 22-23.
The two-day Lime Rock Park weekend will have MacNeil and Keen making every practice lap count. The short and tricky 1.5-mile, seven turn Lime Rock Park circuit is unique with only one left hand turn. MacNeil and Keen won the GTC American Le Mans Series race in 2012 and will be looking to repeat that success on Saturday. The duo currently sit seventh in GTD points with 146.
"Lime Rock Park is a short, but interesting track with just seven turns," MacNeil said. "There is only one left hand corner on the whole circuit, so it will be important to make sure the car is set-up really well for right hand corners. Tire strategy and the heat will be important factors during the race so we will have to focus on those elements to make sure we have the best plan. Our Porsche should fair pretty well this weekend, so I'm excited to hit the track on Friday. One funny story from Lime Rock is from back in 2012 when Leh and I won the ALMS (American Le Mans Series) race. We shared the winner's podium with Patrick Dempsey, the Tequila they used to give out on the podium made for a fun night of celebrating. Leh and I will look to repeat that celebration this weekend!
"Cooper and I actually won in 2012 at Lime Rock," Keen said. "We have had some great success there as a team. The track is short and sweet. Lots of corners packed in a short distance, but all with a high-speed flow. Unfortunately we don't get to run the uphill anymore. The most important corner is the last right-hander leading on to the front straight where we will reach the highest speeds. The Turn 1 and 2 complex is a place you can lose or gain a lot of lap time, so that's important too. The race will be tough. It will be hot and there is no time to rest at Lime Rock. Plus it's very close quarters racing so contact is always in the cards. It will be the shortest timed lap by far of the year, probably in the low 50 second range."
"Cooper and Leh have had success at Lime Rock winning in 2012," team owner, Alex Job said. "Lime Rock is a track that challenges drivers, crew and strategist. You can lose a lap by just coming down pit road. We will have to be on our game all race weekend to repeat our 2012 success."
The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at Northeast Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park will be broadcast live on Fox starting from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on July 23. Practice and qualifying can be viewed at IMSA.tv.