After a scintillating display in the 3rd round (30 minute race - held on Saturday). The 4th Round was to be an endurance event to be held over 75 minutes with a mandotory 5 minute pitstop for all competitors. The Prototype Sportscar Class is a stepping stone for young drivers and professional drivers to get into the Le Mans classes, hence the Mandatory pit stop becomes an essential part of training for the future.

 

After becoming the first Australian and also the youngest driver to win in the class, James was awarded a $500 Fastest Qualifier Cheque for the second race. The prize was awarded by the series sponsor COOPER TIRES. James was very pleased,  'I'm very happy about the prize as it has come as a complete surprise. It has been very difficult to raise any sort of budget and every cent counts. I would like to thank COOPERS TIRES and IMSA for organising and offering such a prize, it makes me more motivated than ever to try and qualify quickest for every race.'

 

James going down the Daunting Corkscrew at Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway

 

James celebrates on the winners podium

 

At the start of the second race of the weekend, The team made an early call to have James complete the 5 minute Mandatory Pit Stop whilst he was leading early in the race. The pit crew and team did a fantastic job, however the strategy did not have fall their way. The strategy was hampered as there were no yellow flags or Safety Cars (whilst James was in the pits), effectively placing James at the rear of the field 3 laps in behind the leader.

 

After being released from the Mandatory Pit Stop, James proceeded to post some very quick times and was able to make some ground on the cars ahead. Unfortunately a series of Safety Car Periods hampered his progress as there  no passing permitted whilst behind the safety car and other teams had called their drivers into the Mandatory Pit just before the sequence of safety cars. Even with this obstacle, James managed to pace at very fast times and ultimately set the fastest lap of the race on his way to 3rd position. James unfortunately ran out of time in the 75 minute race and had to settle for 3rd. This was James second visit to the podium over the weekend and ensured that James was the highest point scorer over the weekend.

 

James was very happy with the result as he stated;

 

 'Prior to this weekend I didn't know what to expect. I had not raced in a car since I raced in FBMW at Okayama in November last year. I have never raced at this circuit before and I had never driven this type of car before. The DP02 Elan Sportscar has so much more power compared to the FBMW which I drove last year. All the guys at the Intersport Race Team were fantastic and I cannot thank them enough for their efforts and making me feel so welcome.Especially Clint and Jon. Unfortunately I couldn't do much about the safety car periods this afternoon, which clearly compromised my chances of regaining the lead after my pit stop. I did some quick laps, however, most of the time I just concentrated on my lines and keeping the car in good shape. You cannot underestimate this track - its a fantastic racetrack and demands respect.'

 

James went on to say,

 

'I would like to thank Intersport Racing and all of their help during the weekend and the fantastic opportunity they gave me. I would further like to thank all of my supporters and sponsors including BBX (www.ebbx.com), Mike Navybox of the Navybox School of Motorsport (www.navyboxschoolofmotorsport.com.au), Kart Racing Magazine (www.kartracingmagazine.com.au), Wallabie Constructions Pty Ltd and Daran Pratt, My personal trainer and fitness Guru (www.edge1stfitness.com) and Mitch Biner from Oversteer Race centre. Without their support, I would not have made it this far.