Simpson homes in on success at Glen
IMSA SPORTSCAR
WATKINS GLEN (USA)
JULY 1
ROUND 6/12
English-born, South Africanraised Stephen Simpson celebrated his first American Independence Day holiday weekend since becoming a US citizen by overtaking reigning series champion Jordan Taylor (Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac) and Juan Pablo Montoya
(Acura Team Penske) in one brilliant opportunistic manoeuvre at the final restart with 40 minutes remaining. He then maintained his advantage to win a thrilling Six Hours of the Glen for the tiny Jdc-miller Motorsports team.
Simpson shared the spoils with Canadian-domiciled Russian Misha Goikhberg and American Chris Miller, who had kept their ORECA-GIBSON in contention throughout a blisteringly hot day.
Colin Braun, sharing CORE Autosport’s similar ORECA with Romain Dumas and Jon Bennett, snatched second from Montoya and Dane Cameron at the final corner after the Acura DPI had seemed in control for much of the contest. Paul di Resta, Bruno Senna and Phil Hanson were fourth after an excellent performance in the United Autosports Ligier.
Dirk Muller and Joey Hand scored a narrow and hardfought GTLM victory for Ford Chip Ganassi Racing over Antonio Garcia/jan Magnussen (Corvette) and the Porsche of Patrick Pilet and Nick Tandy.