Rebel Rock Racing VIR Pre-Race Release

The Rebel Rock Racing team has been hard at work the past few months’ updating and developing their pair of Porsche Cayman’s for the Street Tuner (ST) class of the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge (CTSC) series.  After last season where every car in the teams’ fleet found the podium, it’s eluded the team in 2015, but they know the hard work will reap the rewards before seasons end.

Inclement weather at Road America eliminated any opportunity to really dial the cars in after a lot of work going into that weekend, although the cars showed pace during the race itself.  The team immediately went back to work to continue the development, and with zero rain on the forecast for this weekend at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) for round eight of the scheduled 10 races, have high hopes of really turning the corner, and know they have the drivers to get the job done to finish the season strong.Again the #87 Ingersoll-Rand liveried entry will feature drivers Mat Pombo and Nate Norenberg with the NASCAR Mexico driver pairing of Ruben Pardo and Carlos Contreras campaigning in the #88 BYB Extreme Fighting Series/Global Aircraft Solutions/Citizen/Monster Energy/Potosinos Express Porsche Cayman.  Contreras has been keeping his skills sharp, having just competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series last weekend at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course between CTSC events.#87 Driver Mat Pombo: “After a tough weekend at Road America, the Rebel Rock Racing crew has put in a lot of work to get these cars ready for VIR.  I’m hopeful we can return to competitive form.  I consider VIR one of my home tracks, and I’m looking forward to getting back there.  Nate and I have some work to do, but are ready to get the #87 towards the front.  I want to thank Jim Jonsin and Tony Valentine for all their hard work and dedication to the success of this program.”#87 Driver Nate Norenberg: “It was a hard fought battle at Road America with the Rebel Rock Racing #87, clawing its way up to P7 before having to pit for a splash of fuel late.  Our strategy was sound; the race just didn’t come to us like we thought it would.  Mat had some phenomenal laps early in this stint and fought hard towards the end as his tires started to fall off.  I wish we had a better result at my home track, but I’m looking forward to VIR as it’s been since 2010 since I’ve driven there.  Although the oak tree is gone, the challenge of the track still exists.  The team is working very hard to improve the cars even more to continue our move to the front.  Thanks as always to Jim Jonsin and the Rebel Rock Racing crew for all their hard work.”#88 Driver Ruben Pardo: “I’m personally very happy to be competing in this great series and learning more about our Porsche Cayman #88 with each opportunity.   All IMSA races are at beautiful and historic tracks, and this week it’s VIR.  I know we will have a better showing with the amount of work Chris, Tony and the guys at Rebel Rock have done on our #88.  We will also have an opportunity to test on Thursday and hopefully good weather will allow us to complete both Official practices and qualify on Friday.  I definitely haven’t pushed the car to the limit yet, as I am still learning, but I’m looking forward to it.   I would like to thank all those responsible for giving me this opportunity; BYB extreme Fighting Series, Ingersoll Rand, Citizen, Potosino’s Express and Rebel Rock Racing; without whom this experience in the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge wouldn’t be possible.” #88 Driver Carlos Contreras: “I enjoyed my first stint with Rebel Rock Racing and teammate Ruben Pardo at Road America.  Unfortunately we had a suspension problem and couldn’t post a good finish, but we’re definitely excited about VIR.  The team has worked hard to get the car ready for the challenging road course, and Ruben and I are ready to get to work.   I’ve tested NASCAR Xfinity cars and Super Trofeo Lamborghini’s there, but this will be my first race.  We look to get past prior performance issues and post our first Top 10 of the season for Rebel Rock Racing.”The Virginia International Raceway round kicks off with practice on Friday, August 21st at 9:40 am ET, with Qualifying following at 5:55 pm ET.  The race will drop the green flag on Saturday, August 22nd at 1:25 pm EST.  The race can be watched live on IMSA.com, with television broadcast taking place on September 6th at 9:00 am EST on Fox Sports 1.