Winners last time out, Rebel Rock Racing faces double test at Mid-Ohio

LEXINGTON, Ohio (21 September 2020) – Coming off a victory in the most recent race at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Rebel Rock Racing now faces a unique challenge in an IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge doubleheader weekend at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

Frank DePew and Robin Liddell will drive the No. 71 Urban Grid Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R in a two-hour race on Saturday, and then come back the following day for another two-hour race on the 13-turn, 2.258-mile circuit.

The IMSA visit to Mid-Ohio last year was an uphill battle for DePew. It was just his third outing of the season and marked his first visit to the classic circuit. He hit a wet patch in challenging and changing conditions, sending him off course and into the gravel trap on the third lap. He and Liddell battled back to finish 21^st in the lead Grand Sport category.

“I had no time in the car last year in practice before qualifying and the race; the conditions were rain all weekend; and then we went back there to test earlier this year and it rained the whole time,” DePew said. “I’m still looking to do my first dry lap at Mid-Ohio!  I am hopeful that Robin and I will do well this weekend.  I believe I have the tools to figure the track out, and hopefully, we will have dry weather, but if it’s wet, that will be fun too.”

With three wins now in the books and a lot of experience gained by the entire Rebel Rock Racing crew, the team hopes to build on the strong Road Atlanta outing with two chances for trophies this weekend.

DePew drove a flawless opening stint at Road Atlanta before turning the Rebel Rock Camaro over to Andrew Davis, the team’s endurance specialist. Liddell finished up, taking only two tires on his final pit stop to gain track position, and then gaining the lead with 15 minutes remaining in the four-hour event.

“We’re feeling good about that race, it was a great victory, but we’re still a little frustrated about some of the issues we’ve had this year,” DePew said about the team’s 2020 season so far. “Hopefully, we’re back on track for a good end of the season.”

Liddell won two Mid-Ohio races among five podium finishes in Grand-Am Rolex Series GT, but last year’s race was his first visit since 2013.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back in the car this weekend at Mid-Ohio after having had the chance to reflect upon and enjoy our win from three weeks ago at Road Atlanta,” Liddell said. “The whole team did a superb job there and should feel proud, but we cannot afford to rest on our laurels in this super-competitive series if we want to stay on top. From my side it’s important that we approach every race with the same focus and determination which has netted us several wins to date.

“This weekend, my job will be to help Frank get comfortable with the track as quickly as possible and try to make sure setup wise that we have a car to compete with during the final hour of the races. I’m excited about our chances!”

DePew is looking forward to the first doubleheader for the Michelin Pilot Challenge.

“It will be better for me, because with our condensed race weekends we have only a limited amount of track time,” DePew said. “I think I will have plenty of time in the car this weekend. . I’m not worried about stamina or anything. I’m looking forward to it – it’s going to be interesting. At Road Atlanta, everybody performed amazingly well, and the pit crew didn’t miss a beat. That’s what it takes to win a race.”

On-track activity begins on Friday with a pair of one-hour practice sessions beginning at 10:45 a.m. and 2:50 p.m. (all times ET). GS qualifying begins at 8:20 a.m. on Saturday, followed by the opening two-hour race at 1:05 p.m. Sunday’s two-hour event is set to take the green flag at 10:35 a.m.

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