Making its first-ever entry in the top-flight IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IWSC), JR III Racing arrived to Road America well prepared—having tested at the track, a driving roster comprised of podium-winning drivers and a full crew on hand to support the team debut. Mid-Ohio podium finishers of Terry Olson and Mike Skeen paired up behind the wheel of the No. 30 Jr III Racing Ligier JS P320 as the Charlotte-based team made another progressive step with its WeatherTech debut this weekend.
And the drivers were both well warmed up, as Olson and Skeen pulled double duty on the weekend. Olson competed in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo at Road America, while Skeen added his name to the history books by winning the first-ever race held on the streets of Nashville with a strong Trans Am victory on Saturday in the Music City Grand Prix.
Skeen arrived in Wisconsin for morning warm-up on Sunday, getting his first laps of the weekend in the No. 30 Ligier. He set the fastest lap of the weekend for the team on his seventh of eight laps with a 2:03.261-second flyer.
Having qualified the car, Olson took the green flag in the No. 30 Ligier, taking over the fifth spot by the first corner on the opening lap. Quickly getting into race rhythm, Olson clicked off his first IWSC laps running his fastest consecutive laps of the weekend.
Unfortunately, Olson’s stellar drive was interrupted by contact with a fellow LMP3 competitor causing the No. 30 Ligier to spin before the final turn on lap 8. While repositioning the Ligier to rejoin the field, a misfire caused the clutch to suffer terminal damage ending Jr III Racing’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship debut.
“Everyone worked so hard this weekend and for it to end early is disappointing,” said Team Principal Billy Glavin. “This weekend was a learning experience for the entire team and we did learn what it takes to run at this level. Our goal was always to enter the highest level and we have done that. We will see what the future holds for us but until then we will be back with the IMSA Prototype Challenge at VIRginia International Raceway.”
Jr III Racing will return to IMSA competition with IMSA Prototype Challenge at VIRginia International Raceway on October 8-10th.
Source. Sunday Group
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