The Race Prep Motorsports 911 driven by Mike Pickett and Spencer Pumpelly scored a season best 4th place finish this past weekend in Mt. Tremblant’s Grand Am Cup Race.
The weekend’s practice session suggested a good run was in the cards, but a procedural violation relegated the team to the back of the GS starting grid. Things looked worse when Mike Pickett got hit from behind before taking the green flag, and was pushed into the concrete wall. The car suffered heavy damage to the rear bodywork and suspension, but Mike was able to get the car back to pit lane where the RPM crew make quick repairs and got the car back out on the track without losing a lap.
When Pumpelly took over the driving duties the damaged car moved through the field all the way up to second place, but the bent rear suspension had more effect on the tire wear than originally thought. The car was fast, but too damaged to hold off the charging Mustangs and Cadillacs. In the end the team came across the line in 4th place, a position the team was happy with considering the damage sustained on lap one.
In post race inspection the first and third place cars were found to have excess fuel capacity, and were stripped of their purse and points, but not their finishing positions. The RPM team will have to wait until the next race in Watkin’s Glen for their first trip to the podium.
The Mt. Tremblant Grand Am Cup race can be seen this Sunday on the Speed Channel.
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