For Immediate Release-
July 20, 2019 was the 6th round of 10 in the IMSA Michelin Pilot
Challenge in picturesque Lakeville, Connecticut at Lime Rock Park. A track known for the intense racing it
provides being less than 2 miles long with 7 corners, and a lap time less than
60 seconds. Nicknamed the
“Bullring”, this would be the second time Carbahn Motorsport with Peregrine
Racing would bring their #39 Audi Sport R8 GT4 LMS to compete in the hotly
contested, multi manufacturer GS category.
Tyler Mcquarrie and Jeff Westphal, season long drivers, looked to close and
extend their championship standings entering the event in 2nd, being 1pt behind
the #82 BMW M4 GT4 from Bimmerworld, and 3 points ahead of the #69 Mclaren 570
GT4 from MIA.
The northeast was hot and humid all weekend, with temperatures
for the 2 Hour race in the low 90’s with high humidity, conditions that are
brutal for the tires, and the pilots of the machines. Mcquarrie struck early and qualified the #39 2nd,
less than .1 seconds from the pole position #46 AMG GTS GT4 from TGM, the 2018
champions.
At the Drop of the Green flag, Tyler maintained a good pace and stayed in touch
with the #46 AMG of Trinkler, whilst pulling away from the remainder of the
field. At 46 minutes into the 2
Hour race, the #39 pit for fuel, tires and a driver change. Westphal assumed the helm of the Audi
R8, with 4 new tires and 76 Liters of fuel. The race continued under green flag conditions for quite
some time in which the #39 led overall, before a full course yellow with less
than 1 hour to go, which opened the strategic opportunity for most teams and
cars to take a small amount of fuel and make it to the checkered flag. Jeff pit the #39, took 2 new tires and
roughly ½ tank of fuel, then left pit lane in a hurry to rejoin the pack before
the green flag dropped.
As the race picked back up, Westphal found himself behind a few cars that were
not on the lead lap, and was effectively in 2nd place, closing in on
the #46 AMG GT4 in the lead. As
the last 30 minutes elapsed, Westphal found the 3rd place AMG GT4 of
Murillo Motorsport on his rear bumper, closing the gap as they sifted through
lapped traffic, all the while closing in on the #46 AMG GT4 of TGM that was
leading the race.
In the Final minutes the gap between Westphal and Eric Foss in 3rd
expanded and contracted elastically with lapped traffic, and ultimately
Westphal narrowly edged out the quick AMG GT4 by .15 sec in a drag race to the
finish line after catching a pack of lapped cars in the last corner of the final
lap.
“The team and car were flawless today, we had a great balance and we could take
care of the tires in the extreme heat.
My hat is off to the AMG guys, they were wickedly quick today, and I
feel like the Carbhan x Peregrine racing pushed 110% this weekend to help us
fight for this championship. I am
very grateful to have such a professional program around me in this extremely
competitive championship.” Explained Westphal.
The #39 Audi R8 GT4 LMS of Carbahn Motorsport with Peregrine
Racing now tops the championship standings over the Bimmerworld #82 BMW M4 GT4
and the MIA #69 Mclaren 570 GT4.
Round 7 of the championship is at the months end, August 3rd
in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin at Road America. You can watch the Limerock 120 on NBC Sports, July 2_, 2019
at ___ pm eastern time as all events have tape delayed coverage.
Follow the team @;
@Westphalracing
@TylerMcquarrie
@peregrineracingteam
@carbahnautworks
@imsa
Special Thanks to:
TNVC Inc.
Race for RP
Hammer Nutrition
Bell Racing USA
Sparco USA
