Team Seattle/Alex Job Racing Lime Rock Pre-Race Report

The Heart of Racing drivers Ian James and Mario Farnbacher are ready for the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship Northeast Grand Prix to run at Lime Rock Park, July 24-25.

The 1.5-mile, 9-turn Lime Rock Park circuit is the shortest on the schedule. James (Phoenix) and Farnbacher (Germany) will be lapping the track in their No. 23 Heart of Racing Porsche in about 60-seconds. The race will have only two classes, an 11 car GTD field as well as seven LMPC cars. The Heart of Racing duo are currently fifth in GTD points, just 20 out of the top spot.

"The LMPC cars have historically been the most troubled class in terms of on track incidents, but with only seven of them it shouldn't be too bad," James said. "They have good downforce, so are quick in fast corners, but our GTD cars are as quick in slower corners, so it will make it interesting on the short lap. Lime Rock can be tricky from a strategy point-of-view. If the race goes green the whole way that will be good for us as our Porsche is better over a long run. It can be bad, because any issue at all can put you down a lap."

Farnbacher is doing his homework as this will be his first visit to Lime Rock.

"Another new track for me," Farnbacher said. "Before my first time on a new track I always study the circuit with onboard videos at home. Later at the track, the car data, for example gearing, brake points and, of course, some input from my teammate Ian. There won't be as many cars on the track as a typical TUDOR weekend, so that is a good thing on a short circuit like Lime Rock. I can't wait to drive another new track!"

Team owner, Alex Job, is looking to get back on track at Lime Rock.

"The Heart of Racing team was on a nice roll since March," Job said. "We won at Sebring and Detroit and managed to get on the podium at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. At Watkins Glen we had a mistake in the rain, so we need to get back to top form this weekend at Lime Rock."

The TUDOR Championship Northeast Grand Prix from Lime Rock Park will be broadcast live on IMSA.com July 25 starting at 3 p.m. The television broadcast will air on Fox Sports 1 starting at 5 p.m. on July 26. Qualifying on Friday can be viewed at IMSA.com at 5:15 p.m. ET.

Team Seattle has produced an informational video on its Heart of Racing program. To view, please click on the link http://bit.ly/1K7A7XO.  We are accepting donations and pledges at teamseattle.com.

Founded in 1996, by Don and Donna Kitch, Team Seattle-The Heart of Racing is a group sports car road racing fans, drivers, and corporate partners making a difference in our community by combining two passions: A love of motorsports and a commitment to Seattle Children's Hospital and Pediatric Cardiac Health Care nationally. The team uses the promotion and exposure of the racing program to fund raise and increase awareness of the financial needs for quality pediatric medical care. Since inception, Team Seattle has generated over $5.5 million for their cause.  Donations information can be found at www.theheartofracing.org or www.teamseattle.com. 

Alex Job Racing is one of the most successful teams in sports car racing with 70 wins (since 1995); including two Rolex 24 GT Class wins in 1999 and 2013. This record is supported by 48 pole positions and 106 podium finishes.  The team has won five championships (GTC 2013, 2012, GT in 2004, 2003 and 2002) complimented by their two GT class wins at Le Mans. The team also boasts ten Sebring 12-hour wins. 

The Heart of Racing drivers Ian James and Mario Farnbacher are ready for the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship Northeast Grand Prix to run at Lime Rock Park, July 24-25.

The 1.5-mile, 9-turn Lime Rock Park circuit is the shortest on the schedule. James (Phoenix) and Farnbacher (Germany) will be lapping the track in their No. 23 Heart of Racing Porsche in about 60-seconds. The race will have only two classes, an 11 car GTD field as well as seven LMPC cars. The Heart of Racing duo are currently fifth in GTD points, just 20 out of the top spot.

"The LMPC cars have historically been the most troubled class in terms of on track incidents, but with only seven of them it shouldn't be too bad," James said. "They have good downforce, so are quick in fast corners, but our GTD cars are as quick in slower corners, so it will make it interesting on the short lap. Lime Rock can be tricky from a strategy point-of-view. If the race goes green the whole way that will be good for us as our Porsche is better over a long run. It can be bad, because any issue at all can put you down a lap."

Farnbacher is doing his homework as this will be his first visit to Lime Rock.

"Another new track for me," Farnbacher said. "Before my first time on a new track I always study the circuit with onboard videos at home. Later at the track, the car data, for example gearing, brake points and, of course, some input from my teammate Ian. There won't be as many cars on the track as a typical TUDOR weekend, so that is a good thing on a short circuit like Lime Rock. I can't wait to drive another new track!"

Team owner, Alex Job, is looking to get back on track at Lime Rock.

"The Heart of Racing team was on a nice roll since March," Job said. "We won at Sebring and Detroit and managed to get on the podium at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. At Watkins Glen we had a mistake in the rain, so we need to get back to top form this weekend at Lime Rock."

The TUDOR Championship Northeast Grand Prix from Lime Rock Park will be broadcast live on IMSA.com July 25 starting at 3 p.m. The television broadcast will air on Fox Sports 1 starting at 5 p.m. on July 26. Qualifying on Friday can be viewed at IMSA.com at 5:15 p.m. ET.

Team Seattle has produced an informational video on its Heart of Racing program. To view, please click on the link http://bit.ly/1K7A7XO.  We are accepting donations and pledges at teamseattle.com.

Founded in 1996, by Don and Donna Kitch, Team Seattle-The Heart of Racing is a group sports car road racing fans, drivers, and corporate partners making a difference in our community by combining two passions: A love of motorsports and a commitment to Seattle Children's Hospital and Pediatric Cardiac Health Care nationally. The team uses the promotion and exposure of the racing program to fund raise and increase awareness of the financial needs for quality pediatric medical care. Since inception, Team Seattle has generated over $5.5 million for their cause.  Donations information can be found at www.theheartofracing.org or www.teamseattle.com. 

Alex Job Racing is one of the most successful teams in sports car racing with 70 wins (since 1995); including two Rolex 24 GT Class wins in 1999 and 2013. This record is supported by 48 pole positions and 106 podium finishes.  The team has won five championships (GTC 2013, 2012, GT in 2004, 2003 and 2002) complimented by their two GT class wins at Le Mans. The team also boasts ten Sebring 12-hour wins. 

The Heart of Racing drivers Ian James and Mario Farnbacher are ready for the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship Northeast Grand Prix to run at Lime Rock Park, July 24-25.

The 1.5-mile, 9-turn Lime Rock Park circuit is the shortest on the schedule. James (Phoenix) and Farnbacher (Germany) will be lapping the track in their No. 23 Heart of Racing Porsche in about 60-seconds. The race will have only two classes, an 11 car GTD field as well as seven LMPC cars. The Heart of Racing duo are currently fifth in GTD points, just 20 out of the top spot.

"The LMPC cars have historically been the most troubled class in terms of on track incidents, but with only seven of them it shouldn't be too bad," James said. "They have good downforce, so are quick in fast corners, but our GTD cars are as quick in slower corners, so it will make it interesting on the short lap. Lime Rock can be tricky from a strategy point-of-view. If the race goes green the whole way that will be good for us as our Porsche is better over a long run. It can be bad, because any issue at all can put you down a lap."

Farnbacher is doing his homework as this will be his first visit to Lime Rock.

"Another new track for me," Farnbacher said. "Before my first time on a new track I always study the circuit with onboard videos at home. Later at the track, the car data, for example gearing, brake points and, of course, some input from my teammate Ian. There won't be as many cars on the track as a typical TUDOR weekend, so that is a good thing on a short circuit like Lime Rock. I can't wait to drive another new track!"

Team owner, Alex Job, is looking to get back on track at Lime Rock.

"The Heart of Racing team was on a nice roll since March," Job said. "We won at Sebring and Detroit and managed to get on the podium at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. At Watkins Glen we had a mistake in the rain, so we need to get back to top form this weekend at Lime Rock."

The TUDOR Championship Northeast Grand Prix from Lime Rock Park will be broadcast live on IMSA.com July 25 starting at 3 p.m. The television broadcast will air on Fox Sports 1 starting at 5 p.m. on July 26. Qualifying on Friday can be viewed at IMSA.com at 5:15 p.m. ET.

Team Seattle has produced an informational video on its Heart of Racing program. To view, please click on the link http://bit.ly/1K7A7XO.  We are accepting donations and pledges at teamseattle.com.

Founded in 1996, by Don and Donna Kitch, Team Seattle-The Heart of Racing is a group sports car road racing fans, drivers, and corporate partners making a difference in our community by combining two passions: A love of motorsports and a commitment to Seattle Children's Hospital and Pediatric Cardiac Health Care nationally. The team uses the promotion and exposure of the racing program to fund raise and increase awareness of the financial needs for quality pediatric medical care. Since inception, Team Seattle has generated over $5.5 million for their cause.  Donations information can be found at www.theheartofracing.org or www.teamseattle.com. 

Alex Job Racing is one of the most successful teams in sports car racing with 70 wins (since 1995); including two Rolex 24 GT Class wins in 1999 and 2013. This record is supported by 48 pole positions and 106 podium finishes.  The team has won five championships (GTC 2013, 2012, GT in 2004, 2003 and 2002) complimented by their two GT class wins at Le Mans. The team also boasts ten Sebring 12-hour wins.