SRT Motorsports - Weekend Preview - Aug. 29

August 28, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. -  The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron (ALMS) visits its second street course of the season with Saturday’s running of the Grand Prix of Baltimore presented by SRT. Like the visit to the streets of Long Beach earlier this year, pre-event conversations about the Baltimore circuit always includes a “bumpy” reference. Some even add “treacherous” just to make sure the picture is vivid.

The Street and Racing Technology (SRT) brand returns as the presenting sponsor of the four races on the schedule during the weekend including Saturday’s ALMS event.

Like Long Beach, the race is only two hours in length but may consider the two the most challenging in the 10-race series. The circuit is narrow and unforgiving. Passing is difficult. Recovering from the slightest mistake is near impossible. The race demands two hours of intense concentration from the drivers.

The SRT Motorsports team will field two SRV Viper GTS-Rs in the race on the 12-turn, 2.02-mile street circuit. Marc Goossens and Dominik Farnbacher, fresh off a win at Road America, will pilot the No. 91 Rush SRT Viper GTS-R while Kuno Wittmer and Jonathan Bomarito will share driving duties in the No. 93 Pennzoil Ultra SRT Viper GTS-R. The SRT brand has teamed up with Universal Pictures in the United States to promote “Rush,” a Ron Howard film based on the true story of Austrian Formula 1 champion Niki Lauda.

The keys for success at Baltimore – qualify up front, the correct pit strategy and no mistakes on the track. The strategy required perfection from the entire team – drivers, engineers and crew.

“Street courses are narrow and there’s no room for error,” said Goossens. “We proved last year that if you want to have a good result at Baltimore, you have to stay out of trouble. You have to be very patient. We showed at Long Beach that we can do that and that we are capable of a good finish on a street course.”

It’s an intense two hours on the pit box as well. “It’s pretty hectic during the race,” said Matt Bejnarowicz, SRT Motorsports lead engineer. “There are a lot of different strategy calls that you have to make. You really have to be on top of your game to make the right decisions when a yellow comes out or determine the right time to pit to win the race.”

Both teams are looking to continue their impressive performances at the last two events. “Coming off of the Road America weekend, the team is certainly on a high and can’t wait until the Baltimore race,” said SRT Motorsports Racing Manager Gary Johnson. “With the race presented by SRT, it’s just further incentive to do well in front of the SRT owners and fans.”

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The Race:  American Le Mans Series – Round 7
The Event:  Grand Prix of Baltimore presented by SRT
The Place:  Baltimore Street Circuit
The Date:  Saturday, Aug. 31 – 3:30 p.m.
TV:  Race Broadcast – 9/1/13 at 12:00 p.m. (EDT) on ABC
Live Streaming – 8/31/13 at 3:30 p.m. (EDT) on ESPN3
Live Qualifying – 8/30/13 at 4:20 p.m. (EDT) ESPN3
Live Timing and Scoring available at ALMS.com.