Testing report
ALMS
Matt Bell turns heads in first LMPC test with Performance Tech
Grand-Am driver gets test in an ALMS LMP-Challenge car.
Edited: Dec 8, 2012, 3:30 PM
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Altamonte Springs, FL – Grand-Am Road Racing regular and P1 Groupe driver Matt Bell got his first taste of driving an ALMS LMP-Challenge today at Palm Beach International Raceway. Performance Tech Motorsports and Team Owner Brent O’Neill ran the private test for Bell as the team continued its search for a driver to join the team for its long endurance races throughout the 2013 season.
#18 Performance Tech Motorsports Oreca FLM09
Photo by: Richard Sloop
Bell would quickly fall in love with the sleek prototype as he sped around PBIR posting some of the best lap times during his 75-lap run the team had seen throughout their two-day testing program. Bell impressed everyone in attendance including O’Neill, and finished with his best lap being 0.8 seconds off the leading time of the two days, proving the adaptability and pure talent the 27-year old Bell encompasses.
“I want to thank everyone at Performance Tech for the incredible opportunity today” Bell stated. “This was my first time in an open-top prototype, first time in a right hand drive car, first time on Michelin Tires and my first time at Palm Beach International Raceway, but even with all the firsts, I was confident and excited. I’m happy with my overall performance and now know where to pick up and continue my development from here. The American Le Mans Series LMPC is amazing to drive at speed and like everything I have driven the past few years, has that rumble of the GM [General Motors] LS3 engine which was even more interesting when coming out of the back of a sleek looking prototype!”
O’Neill echoed Bell’s sentiments. “This test was as much about finding out who Matt Bell is, more than just his driving ability. With his accomplishments, we thought he'd do well in the car, and within the first five minutes his personality just clicked with the guys. He had a very methodical approach to the day and his stints in the car. Since he was new to the car and track, he took his time, never put a wheel wrong all day, and by the end his times in the car were consistently among the best we've had to date. More importantly his feedback and how he interacted with the team was the most impressive part. If it works out that way, he'd be a welcomed addition to the Performance Tech family as we continue to build our 2013 program.”
Performance Tech Motorsports/P1 Groupe
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