Edinburgh’s Robin Liddell heads for the final round of the Rolex Grand-Am Series in Utah later this month agonisingly close to claiming the prestigious GT “crown”. The 34-year-old Scots was denied a second consecutive class triumph by a mere 1.77secs in the latest race in Millville, New Jersey.
Liddell and co-driver Andrew Davis began the 250-mile race third in the points standings, trailing leaders Kelly Collins and Paul Edwards by 16 points, but second place – their eighth podium finish of the season – has promoted them to second place and closed the gap to just five points (337-332).
Davis qualified their Pontiac GXP.R second fastest around the 2.25-mile, brand new facility in southern New Jersey with Liddell taking over the Pontiac under caution after 30 minutes of racing.
Robin lay fourth at the mid-race stage and brilliant pit work by the Stevenson Motorsport crew saw Liddell forge in to the lead following the next series of scheduled pit-stops. A close battle for the lead ensued until the chequered flag but Liddell ultimately had to settle for second place.
“We’re delighted with the result,” said an ecstatic Liddell. “I was able to get around eventual class winner Andy Lally and back into the lead for a second time but he managed to re-pass me again on the front straight.
“After the final caution it was a two lap sprint to the flag and I just managed to hold position to consolidate our standings in the championship. Another strong race has positioned us well in the points table.”
Liddell goes to the Grand-Am GT Championship 1000 km finale at the Miller Motorsports Park on September 21, a 4.486-mile, 24-turn road course near Salt Lake City where Robin finished second in 2006.
“I’m really looking forward to going to the last race knowing we are in a strong position to take the title,” Liddell continued. “We will need another good result ahead of the 07 Banner Racing Pontiac to clinch the title, but I feel we are positioned exactly where we need to be and we will be taking an aggressive approach to make sure we come out on top.”
JM