Lime Rock Park hosted the TransAm, SVRA, FRP Memorial Day weekend of racing. The park is a beautiful setting for racing but is truly in the middle of nowhere. A 16-hour drive from Peoria or flying to Albany and driving an hour and a half. Then due to local restrictions there is no racing on Sunday. So racing wraps up on Monday.
Race 1 qualified P2, so he started on the outside. Jumped out to an early lead in turn 1, then battled back and forth for the lead with Cooper Shipman the entire race. It was a drag race to the finish, and Mateo came up 0.16 seconds short, finishing 2nd.
Based on lap times from Race 1, Mateo started P4 for Race 2. He got a great jump at the start going to the outside of the first row on the opening straight in wet conditions. By Turn 1, Mateo had the lead and never looked back. He finished 1st by over 6 seconds. The rain had stopped by race time, so as the track dried, the times got faster and faster. He was able to set the fastest lap of the race on the final lap, putting him on pole for Race 3.
Race 3 was another battle in dry conditions. Mateo, Cooper and Timothy Steele jumped out to a lead early, trading places several times. A couple of others caught up to them, making it a 5-way race for the podium. Mateo was able to come out on top at the end with Team Pelfrey finishing 1-2.
With Lime Rock in the rear view mirror, Pitt is up in about 10 days. Pitt was the site of Mateo’s first Formula Race Promotions win last year, and he is looking forward to heading back!
RTD Media & Laura Speake