Competing in the Kettle Moraine Region in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, Jason Bell and his Global Motorsports Group (GMG) outfit claimed a solid top-five result at Road America. Taking on the Pirelli World Challenge GTS category, Bell and his Audi R8 GT4 LMS showed speed throughout the weekend as the 2018 season goes past the halfway mark.
With combined GT and GTS divisions throughout the race weekend, Bell consistently paced inside the top-ten during the pre-race practice sessions but a shortened qualifying run due to an on track incident pushed Bell to the lower half of the top-ten.
“The GMG guys have been incredible,” explained Bell. “After the last round, they completely went through the car and I can definitely see and feel a difference. It has been a pleasure to work with them as well as have the luxury of teammates to compare data and video with to improve not individually, but as a whole.”
Saturday morning qualifying for the Pirelli World Challenge program would not go as planned as a huge shunt by a fellow competitor ended the session after most competitors only completed two or three circuits.
Bell continued, “Luckily, I was one of the drivers that was on track when the session started and was able to complete a lap. Though the car has been fastest on laps four five and six, my second lap before the red flag would classify me in ninth in class.”
The green flag flew on Saturday afternoon for the first wheel-to-wheel competition of the weekend and Bell was able to advance forward. Slicing and dicing his way through the field, the Florida resident was able to secure a fifth place finish, his best result with his new team to date.
Back to the iconic facility on Sunday and competing just after the conclusion of the Verizon IndyCar Series event, Bell lined up for round seven in the tenth position. With one of the fastest cars on track, the Floridian drove his way into the top-five before a scary incident on the exit of turn five that destroyed his Audi R8.
“I baited my competitor into an inside outside move and did a good job,” explained Bell. “I had the inside line up the hill to turn six and he got into the side of me and turned me into the wall. It was definitely the hardest hit of my racing career and destroyed my car. I know the GMG guys are going to work hard to get everything ready for Portland, but it may mean that I am in a new car.”
Bell continued, “My emotions after the wreck got the best of me and I need to apologize for them. I was caught up in the action and adrenaline from racing, and should not have acted the way I did. I need to extend an apology to the Pirelli World Challenge program, my fellow competitors, my team and the loyal Road America fans.”
Next up for Jason Bell is Portland, Oregon in his first visit to Portland International Raceway on the July 13-15 weekend.
Jason Bell would like to thank his partners for their continued support. A special thanks to Continental Benefits, Osteria, Frost NYC, Gridsport, Reeves Motorsports, Audi of Tampa and Global Motorsports Group.
For more information on Jason Bell please visit him online at www.JasonBellRacing.com or follow him on his social media channels: Twitter @JasonBellGTS2 and Instagram via @JasonBellGTS.
Photo by: Sideline Sports Photography