Performance Tech Motorsports tamed a new beast this weekend at IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s annual Roar Before the Rolex 24 At Daytona.
After a successful five year run in an ORECA FLM09 Prototype Challenge car, Performance Tech rolled out its ORECA Prototype on Thursday, more than ready to join the big leagues. The team was rejoined by James French, Kyle Masson, and Patricio (Pato) O’Ward, the teams 2017 championship trio, with Masson stepping up as the full-season driver and O’Ward taking Masson’s role as the team’s endurance driver.
“Of course, we’re happy to have James, Kyle and Pato back in the car,” Team Principal, Brent O’Neill said. “They all get along so well and I think that really helps make each of them better. They can share data and talk through what they’re doing on track without any animosity. They’re just really good kids and we enjoy having them on the team.”
The mixture of a long-standing relationship with ORECA and a championship winning driver lineup left onlookers with high expectations of the team. They did not disappoint. From the moment, the team took to the track it was evident it had the speed and the consistency to continue to be race-winning contenders.
“Things went really well this weekend for us,” O’Neill said. “Even though we moved up in class we still have the same guys in the pit box working on the car and I think that helps. There’s some consistency there.”
Though the hope is always to run a perfect weekend, problems are often inevitable. However, Performance Tech highlighted their expertise while experiencing various minor difficulties with the prototype’s handling.
“We had a few issues here and there but I think we’ll have everything figured out come race day,” O’Neill said. “It’s the biggest race of the year so we really look forward to it, it’s in our home state and we always have a lot of friends come to support us. We’re looking forward to having our cheering section with us for our first year in the Prototype Class.”
Steadily the team moved up the time charts, running within tenths of the top pack by the end of the weekend. Come Sunday the field hit the track for a new addition to the Roar Before the 24 weekend; a fifteen minute qualifying session that would determine the pit stalls and garage spaces for The Rolex 24 Hour later this month.
O’Ward was selected for the task, and as expected he delivered. With only fifteen minutes on the clock he laid down a lap that would place them right in line with the competing ORECA Prototype’s and secure the team a spot in the enclosed garages.
