MacNeil and Bleekemolen to start on front row at Lime Rock in GTC
Bleekemolen put in a time of 55.317 that was good enough for second on the GTC grid.
Photo by: Jackie Buys
LAKEVILLE, Conn.(July 5, 2013) - Cooper MacNeil and Jeroen Bleekemolen will start the American Le Mans Series Northeast Grand Prix on the front row at Lime Rock Park for tomorrow's race.
Bleekemolen (Monte Carlo) had the controls of the No. 22 WeatherTech Porsche for qualifying. At the top of the time sheet during the three practice sessions, Bleekemolen put in a time of 55.317 that was good enough for second on the GTC grid for tomorrow's 3 p.m. start. Some late qualifying session heroics almost brought the pole position, but a slight misstep in the final turn thwarted that attempt.
"Practice went really well for us today," Bleekemolen said. "We were fastest in the last practice and had really good pace on old tires. We did similar times all during practice. In qualifying I was hoping for a bit more. I was on a good lap right when the red flag came out. When it went green again we had less than two minutes to go out and try to and grab the pole.
MacNeil (Hinsdale, Ill) competed in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo race today as well, finishing third in the 50-minute race.
"I had some good laps in the Porsche this morning," MacNeil said. "I have had a lot of track time in the Lamborghini this weekend, so I know my way around the track. Jeroen did a great job in qualifying almost getting the pole. We have a strong WeatherTech car for the race. We won this race last year and we are looking to repeat tomorrow. I will do most of the warm-up in the morning so I get back into Porsche mode for the race."
Alex Job, team owner, likes the team's chances to make it two consecutive wins at Lime Rock.
"The WeatherTech Porsche has been fast all weekend," Job said. "We have been one or two in every practices session. Jeroen did a good job in qualifying. In true racer spirit we went back out with only a few minutes to go to try and grab the pole, but we just missed it. Cooper and Jeroen are pleased with the car and I am looking forward to another very competitive GTC race tomorrow."
WeatherTech Racing
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