Teamwork Helps Robertson Racing Home At Mid-Ohio

Robertson Racing again demonstrated their fighting spirit at round six of this season’s American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron – the Mid-Ohio Sportscar Challenge – with another gutsy team performance.

While 12th position in the fiercely competitive GT category might have been disappointing under normal circumstances, that the #40 Ford GT finished at all was again testament to the team’s pit crew who for the second race running were forced to carry out vital mid-race repairs.

As is customary, David Murry took the start and was running in the top ten when a full course yellow was thrown after 50 minutes. Most of those ahead elected to pit but Murry continued to circulate behind the Safety Car before he too stopped for fuel, tyres and a new driver in the form of Andrea Robertson.

Indeed, Robertson produced one of her best stints of the season over the next three-quarters-of-an-hour before another caution period signalled the end of her afternoon’s work when David Robertson took over behind the wheel.

Shortly after though, an incident involving the class leaders caused significant damage to the Ford’s tail section, including collapsed rear suspension. In spite of the sizable task confronting them, the team’s mechanics worked tirelessly to repair the car as quickly as possible.

With the race well into its final hour by the time the Ford returned to action, there was little Robertson could do but add to the team’s impressive finishing record, taking the chequered flag for a 16th consecutive time after two-hours and 45 minutes.

“I’ve got to pay tribute to the entire team today,” said Team Manager Andrew ‘H’ Smith. “For the second race running they were determined to get the car back out again, despite the large amount of damage, and maintain our enviable finishing record. We’re only a small group compared to our factory counterparts in this class but the guys are as good as anyone else up and down the pit lane. I was very proud of them today.

“We’re working around the clock to build the second car up for Petit so the last thing we needed this weekend was more damage to contend with. We’ve got ten days to get the car in and out of the shop ready in time for Road America but we’ll manage.”

Robertson Racing returns to American Le Mans Series action at Road America later this month, 20-22 August.

© RIF | ALMS