Smith nets overall runner-up placing for fourth time

Guy Smith continues to lie third in this year’s American Le Mans Series after placing second in the latest round of the series at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, today (SAT).

Reigning ALMS champion Smith and American co-driver Chris Dyson finished one-lap behind title rivals Klaus Graf and Lucas Luhr who now lead the series by 16-points with four races remaining.

Guy Smith

Photo by: Adriano Manocchia

“We really struggled with a lack of [tyre] grip,” reflected Guy. “It worsened as the weekend went on due to the additional rubber left on the track surface from the IndyCar single-seaters that were also racing here.

“This problem was compounded by a handling imbalance. It's disappointing as we want to challenge Lucas and Klaus but right now we are just not there.”

Smith started their Lola B12/60 Mazda Coupé from second place on the 32-car grid – Dyson having claimed a front row place in qualifying the previous day with Luhr on pole-position.

Guy pitted from second place for fuel just eight seconds behind Luhr after 94mins but four minutes later, swept ahead for the first time when Luhr pitted for fuel, tyres and to hand over to Graf.

Smith’s lead was 17secs when the Yorkshireman pitted after an energy-sapping near two-hour stint around the 2.26-mile track, the race being run in ambient temperatures of 32 degrees Celsius.

Guy added: “During my stint I was in the car for around two hours and it was very hot inside. I don't think I have ever been so hot in a race car. I was working very hard and my work rate was high.”

Dyson resumed second and continued in that position to the chequered flag – the Smith/Dyson Lola claiming the overall runner-up position for the fourth time this season.

The next round of the 10-race series is at Road America on 18 August.

“We will try again for that elusive win in a couple of weeks at Road America and I’m hoping we can take the fight to them,” concluded Smith.

Source: Guy Smith PR