It was a case of one step forward and one step back for the TRG-AMR team through the first six hours of the Twelve Hours of Sebring.
The hard-working TRG-AMR crew repaired a clogged rear brake line on the No. 009 Residences at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3. The problem emerged almost immediately after the start of the classic IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship endurance event and forced the car to the garage after two hours.
The team of Brandon Davis, Max Riddle and Kris Wilson was running 18th in the GT Daytona class, 27 laps down, at the six-hour mark after the extensive repairs. But Davis, Riddle and Wilson turned quick laps in between the multiple caution periods during the race to show the V12 Vantage’s competitive speed.
Bad luck and timing struck at just the wrong time for the No. 007 Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3.
Team CEO Kevin Buckler and crew had devised a clever strategy under a lengthy caution to regain a lap and put the team of David Block, Al Carter and James Davison just one lap down slightly past the four-hour mark of the 12-hour race. But an Audi slowed suddenly and inexplicably in front of Carter during the caution period, and the front of the No. 007 hit the rear of the rival car, causing front-end damage. The clutch also began slipping at that time, and the crew brought the No. 007 to the garage for front-end repairs.
After 36 minutes of hard work by the TRG-AMR crew, Davison returned the No. 007 to the track. But the transmission problem persisted, and the crew returned the car to the garage to replace drivetrain parts to fix the problem.
Those repairs continued in the garage at the six-hour mark, when the No. 007 was credited in 19th place, 36 laps down.
The TRG-AMR team will continue its hard work in the second half of the race to lift the No. 009 up the running order and return the No. 007 to the track to show its competitive pace.
Stay tuned for the next update at the nine-hour mark – approximately 7:15 p.m. (ET).