Written by Sean McKean
All championships are wide open as the finale of the season in Road Atlanta approaches on Saturday.
To win the GTP championship, all Dane Cameron and Felipe Nasr in the No. 7 Porsche have to do is finish fourth or higher. It should be noted, though, that they recorded their worst finish of the season – seventh – in Indianapolis, having battled with power-steering problems all race.
However, a disqualification from the No. 6 Porsche of Mathieu Jaminet & Nick Tandy kept the gap from closing in Indianapolis. After finding an issue with the wiring harness, IMSA officials moved the pair from a third-placed result to tenth. If they want to make that ground up, they will need a perfect weekend.
It’s a similar story in LMP2, with the No. 52 Inter Europol squad of Tom Dillmann and Nick Boulle leading proceedings by 98 points. In the endurance races this season, the two drivers have yet to finish outside of the top four, and with third or better sealing the deal for them, they are certainly the LMP2 favourites.
But all the No. 74 Riley of Gar Robinson and Felipe Fraga need is third or better and trouble for the No. 52 team. They have also been consistent this season, but a tenth-placed result in Road America has put them on a backfoot. Considering the trouble that can hit teams at any time, though, do not rule them out.
It’s another familiar story in GTD Pro, as the No. 77 Porsche of Laurin Heinrich increased his lead to 99 points. With this, fourth or better will clinch the title for Rexy.
In second is the No. 23 Aston Martin of Ross Gunn. Gunn only managed fifth in Indianapolis whilst Heinrich went on to win the race. Thus, Gunn will have to hope Rexy runs into trouble in Road Atlanta.
The GTD title is the same as always, with the No. 57 Mercedes of Russell Ward and Philip Ellis leading the pack by 222 points. All the pair need to do in Petit Le Mans is finish 14th or better.
The race will begin on Saturday, 12 October at 12:00 local (17:00 UK).
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