Set to make the team’s second start with the all-new Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R in Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge competition, Stevenson Motorsports continued to make progress with the GT4 spec machine at Watkins Glen on Friday.
The squad scored seventh on the Continental Tire 120 at the Glen grid after a 15-minute qualifying session at the picturesque 3.4-mile circuit in upstate New York. The track is one that is key to Stevenson history, having been the scene for Johnny Stevenson’s debut professional podium as a driver in 2003.
The team used each of the three practice sessions to the fullest as they continue to learn the ins-and-outs of the new GT4.R. With just one race under their belt this season – COTA – Stevenson Motorsports generates more new useful data from the mean looking machine each time out.
Matt Bell, long been known for his exceptional qualifying efforts, jumped into the No. 57 Stevenson Motorsports Camaro GT4.R for his second qualifying run of the season. Bell took advantage of the Camaro’s strengths through the corners, ultimately laying down a fast lap of 2:00.167-seconds at the end of the 15-minute session.
“I think this was one of those qualifying efforts where it went as well as it could,” said Bell. “We did well in the wet in practice before and I think that shows our cars strengths. The car is really hooked up; our engineers are making some pretty good decisions as far as how to balance the car out. It brakes well, it corners well, it just doesn’t have power. That’s where we kind of expected to end up, if not a little bit better.”
Bell’s co-driver, Robbin Liddell is no stranger to the top of the podium at Watkins Glen, having accumulated multiple wins at the track. Liddell looks to add to that list of victories this weekend as this season marks his return to GS competition for the first time since winning the GS championship with Stevenson in the previous generation Camaro.
The Continental Tire 12 at the Glen will begin Saturday, July 1st at 2:20 PM ET.
Source. Sunday Group
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