With His heavier Merc’ feeling like a Waltzing
Matilda over the Brickyard’s road course…
Although I didn’t get to tune-in or hear any of
the weekend’s action at Mother Speedway Wayback’ in October.
Nonetheless, I was happy that DJ willyP’, ergo
Will Power knocked off some of the rust during His enforced Team Penske
contract “sabbatical” by making His belated Sports Car debut during the
Intercontinental GT Challenge’s (IGTC) Indianapolis 8 Hours season finale on
October 18th.
As Power joined team owner Kenny Habul and
Supercars driver Chad Moster aboard the 75 Express’s No. 75 Mercedes-AMG GT3
Pro entry.
Interestingly, Moster currently drives for
Walkinshaw Andretti Racing Down Under in the Supercars series, Just Sayin’.
As many know the back-story of how Power was
supposed to make His IMSA GTD debut during the 2023 Rolex 24 driving for Habul.
But His wife Liz’s serious Health issues kept Power from participating…
As Power said it was a little bit Awkward
initially piloting the Merc’, before settling down to a rhythm on a racecourse
He knows pretty well.
“Felt
Very Awkward”: Will Power on first Endurance outing in 21 years of IndyCar
racing
Yet Power wasn’t the only IndyCar driver
participating. As former Juncos Hollinger Racing driver Conor Daly finished
fourth, two places ahead of Power. As Conor brought the Random Vandals #99 BMW
M4 GT3 Evo to the chequered flag, co-driving with full season drivers Connor de
Phillippi and Kenton Koch.
While the race was Wet ‘n wooly, finishing
under caution. As the race was interrupted by nearby area Lightning strikes and
torrential rain, with a lengthy Red flag period.
As it was another Big name at the sharp end.
With Thee doctor’, aka Valentino Rossi and company winning overall. As Rossi, Kelvin
van der Linde and Charles Weerts drove their No. 46 Team WRT BMW M4 GT3 Evo to
victory over the Yard of Bricks. Which Y’all can read all of the Gory details
in the link below.
Van
der Linde wins Historic title treble in Stormy Indianapolis 8 Hours
Whilst Power and Company’s sixth place finish
ensured Habul of capturing the IGTC Independent Cup title when scoring His
second class victory.
Meanwhile, Kelvin van der Linde won the IGTC
Drivers Championship for the fourth time, while His co-driver Valentino rossi
claimed His first IGTC victory. And in doing so, has now won both on two wheels
and four at Mother Speedway. Which I don’t know if anybody else can say that?
As Kelvin is the younger brother of Sheldon van
der Linde, who drove for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s IMSA GTP Werks’ BMW
M8 prototype. Which Team WRT takes over next year while keeping the current
drivers line-ups intact.
Including the likes of Kevin Bacon’ Magnussen;
former Formula 1 driver and “One-off” IndyCar driver. Who also raced for Chip
Ganassi Racing in Sports cars when they ran the Cadillac GTP programme.
Next, I somehow accidentally “spotted” the news
that DJ WillyP’, ergo Will Power had participated in the IMSA test at Daytona
during November 14-16, in preparation for next year’s Rolex 24.
Again, Power was part of the 75 Express
Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo crew, with team owner Kenny Habul and Mercedes Werks’
Hotschue’ Mickael Grenier. With the trio set to compete in the GTD Pro category
at Daytona this coming January 24-25.
As Power mused, His move from Team Penske to Andretti Global has opened the door for more driving opportunities…
