(English) Dominant first IMSA victory for Inter Europol by PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
15 lipca 2024
Sunday (14 July 2024) at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Inter Europol by PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports secured its first IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race victory together. The first podium came just a few weeks ago at Watkins Glen, but there was no mistaking the result in this, the fourth race of the season.
Nick Boulle and Tom Dillmann delivered a flawless performance as they took the distinctive green and yellow #52 to victory lane in style. Nick vaulted from fourth on the grid to the race lead, as he has done on every occasion this year, and managed to build a healthy race lead.
Subsequent full course yellows, however, negated that advantage and kept the pressure on. Nick successfully handed the car over to Tom with 90 minutes of the two-hour, forty-minute race remaining.
A flurry of fastest laps from Tom – his best on lap 113 nearly two-tenths clear of the field – gave him the space and advantage at the head of the field once again, only for the third and final full course yellow to reset the field with 15 minutes to go. With a final push, Tom navigated his way to the 117th and final lap, taking the chequered flag and a significant race victory.
The result moves Inter Europol by PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports to second in the championship, with 1296 points, just 14 shy of the series leader. Next up, Road America!
Sascha Fassbender, Inter Europol Team Manager
“I’m very happy for the team, its first win in IMSA. They all worked hard for it, and for us, it was our fourth podium in a row and shows the will of the team to fight for every race win.
“The team and drivers did a fantastic job, and it was a well-deserved victory; we are very much in the championship battle now as we head to the next race at Road America. We’ll give our all, to move to the top of the championship table!”
Bobby Oergel, PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports Team Principal
“I couldn’t be more proud of the whole team this weekend. To be one of the few teams that didn’t test at this track, both Nick and Tom, along with the crew, adapted, stayed focused and simply used everything available to us to make this win happen.
“Nick’s opening stints were fast and flawless, paving the way for Tom to take over and keep it out front, which he did in great form. The crew was spot on with great pit stops and planning, together with Nick and Tom’s amazing work behind the wheel, this win was hard fought and well earned.”
Tom Dillmann
“It’s an amazing result; for us to come here for the first time – do our very first laps together as a team here on Friday – was a steep learning curve against those who tested here. We made gains in every practice session, and they gave me the quickest car in the field.
“My first stint was quite easy; I could pull a gap, and the second was more complicated with those aiming to stay on the lead lap. I had to stay calm, even though the gap was coming down, and finally, it was free air again.
“Then, the inevitable final caution, and to be honest, I expected it. It was tough, as in free air, we were fastest, and I could manage the gap, but then it would always bunch up again. I was able to the fastest lap many times, and then traffic in those final laps. I stayed calm, so – yeah – it was a long time coming for us here at IMSA.
“We have always had great pace all season. In the first races, we could not capitalise. At Watkins Glen, we did, and so here, we won, which is amazing. A great team, great drivers, it’s very rewarding.”
Nick Boulle
“I am so happy we were able to bring home a win for the team! Everyone has worked so well together and so hard to make this happen. Every time I drive this car, I feel like we have so much talent behind us in terms of our crew and engineering, that we owe it to them to make something special happen. And we were able to do that!
“Andy, Tim, Dan and Skylar were awesome… Bobby on the box pit nailed it. And the crew were so fast on pit lane. Tom’s last stint was just so impressive. He showed what he’s made of against the best of endurance racing, and I cannot wait to get back out there for the next one!”