Cooper takes first laps in Urban Grid Camaro
DAYTONA BEACH, FL (27 Jan. 2022) – Michael Cooper took to the track preparing for his debut race in Rebel Rock Racing’s No. 71 Urban Grid Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R on Thursday, qualifying seventh for Friday’s BMW M Endurance Challenge at Daytona International Speedway.
Cooper’s best lap of 1:54.086-seconds was set in Thursday’s 15-minute qualifying session, driving the Camaro he will share with Robin Liddell in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. Cooper was a late substitution for regular starting driver Frank DePew, who will be returning to the Camaro cockpit in March at Sebring.
“I think it was a decent qualifying,” said Cooper, a multi-time World Challenge titlist. “These were my first trial laps of the weekend, and I’m pretty happy with it. It would have been nice to get some clean laps at the end, but I caught traffic on my last two laps when other guys were getting their fastest laps. We’ve got a decent race car, and Robin and I can fight these guys tomorrow.”
Liddell was pleased with the qualifying effort, given that Cooper didn’t join the team until after last weekend’s Roar Before the Rolex 24.
“I’m encouraged,” Liddell said. “It’s not a bad spot to start in. The conditions here have been quite tricky with the rain and cooler temperatures, and he doesn’t have much time in the car. He’s done a good job, and now we’re looking forward to the race.”
Cooper said he has some experience racing the Camaro in the World Challenge.
“I’ve driven a Camaro in GT4 before, so it’s just a matter of getting reacquainted with it. Rebel Rock has a great group of guys. They’re laid back but they all know what they’re doing. We’re getting along pretty good.”
The BMW M Endurance Challenge will take the green flag on Friday at 1:35 p.m. ET.
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