Alex Job Racing’s (AJR) Bill Sweedler and Leh Keen will start from the front row in GTC at the inaugural American Le Mans Series (ALMS) presented by Tequila Patron Baltimore Grand Prix to be run tomorrow, Sept. 3.
The day started late for all the competitors. First day street race teething problems delayed the start of practice for over three-hours. Once the Battery Tender/AJR/Porsche hit the all new temporary street circuit that runs in and around the Inner Harbor and Camden Yards it was all business for Sweedler, from Westport, Connecticut, and Keen,Charleston, South Carolina. The tight, two-mile, 12-turn circuit offers the AJR drivers a real challenge with chicanes to slow the cars down before a paved over railroad crossing.
Keen had the wheel of the No. 23 Battery Tender Porsche for qualifying and posted a time of 1:37.160 that will have the team start from the front row in GTC.
“It was worth the wait this morning,” Keen said. “The track is really interesting. This is my third ever street race. Long Beach was a blast, and this place is too. Bill and I are having fun running the circuit. It was a hectic day. We showed up early and then didn’t know when we were running, or how long we would be practicing. The Alex Job guys did a great job to make sure the car was ready. In the first practice, we had a really good Battery Tender Porsche. We adjusted on it, a little, and it got even faster. Bill and I spent the day getting used to the track.
In qualifying it is good to be on the front row again. I would have liked to have gotten the pole, but Bleekemolen (Jeroen, GTC pole sitter) is strong competition. Starting from the front row has worked out really well for us in the races so far. Now we need to have a clean race, get a win or at least a podium finish.”
Sweedler excels on street courses and likes the circuit that surrounds the home of the Baltimore Orioles.
“This is an awesome street circuit,” Sweedler said. “Leh did an amazing job qualifying. We were out qualified by the 54 by just a couple of tenths. The race will be tight. There are a couple of good passing zones. The organizers did a good job with the track. There are a couple of spots like the chicane to slow us down before we pound over the railroad tracks, but that is necessary. We have a great record over the past couple of races at Long Beach, I hope we can translate that poise to this weekend and leave here with a win.”
Alex Job, team owner, has his team up to speed quickly on the new Baltimore track.
“Bill and Leh really got down to business today,” Job said. “They jumped in and learned the track, drove really smart in practice and Leh did a great job in qualifying. We have a good record on these street courses, finishing second in Long Beach earlier in the year, and we are looking to have an even better finish tomorrow afternoon.”
TheAmerican Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron Baltimore Grand Prix can be viewed live on ESPN3.com starting at 4:15 p.m. ET, Saturday, Sept. 3, with a rebroadcast airing on ABC at 4 p.m. ET, Sunday, Sept. 4.
Alex Job Racing is one of the most successful teams in ALMS history with 39 wins. This record is supported by 46 pole positions and 75 podium finishes. The team has won three championships (GT in 2002, 2003 and 2004) complimented by their two GT class wins at Le Mans. The team also boasts seven Sebring 12-hour wins.
The ALMS GTC category is specific to one of the most popular factory produced racing cars in the world, the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. Developed for Porsche’s one-make series around the world, the new version of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is based on the road-going 911 GT3 RS. The power unit featured in the new 911 GT3 Cup is largely identical to the production engine of the 911 GT3 RS with the same output of 450 bhp and the same maximum engine speed of 8,500 rpm.
Source: Alex Job Racing
