Drivers running on Pirelli P Zero racing slicks were able to power through inclement weather during the June 5 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series endurance race at Watkins Glen.
Teammates Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas extended their Daytona Prototype Team and Driver Championship leads with their fourth win of the season and third consecutive victory at The Glen’s grueling six-hour endurance race.
In GT action, Andy Lally and Spencer Pumpelly partnered with Bob Doyle – starting at the back of the 29-car field – to score the team’s second win in the past three races.
“Pirelli has done just a fantastic job this season,” says Pruett, who both started and finished in the No. 01 BMW Riley. “I just can’t say enough about them. The tires are consistent and strong and we are running as fast at the end as we are at the beginning. The durability is good, they get working really well and every set seems to be very consistent from set, to set, to set. All we did was put them on and go, and we certainly didn’t have to worry about them.”
During the first two hours of the race, teams experienced a variety of wet and dry conditions. Pirelli’s P Zero “drys” performed throughout. P Zero rain tires (“wets”) were at the ready, but none of the teams opted for a switch.
Co-driving with Rojas, Pruett led the final 30 of 191 laps and beat the No. 10 SunTrust Ford Dallara of Max Angelelli – who teamed with Ricky Taylor – to the checkered flag by 1.623 seconds.
Pruett and Rojas extended their lead in the Daytona Prototype Driver Championship to 18 points (190-172) over Ryan Dalziel, who finished seventh.
“It’s been really good here with the Pirellis,” Lally says. “This was a pretty hot day, (with) really hot track temperatures. Watkins Glen and these cars beat on these tires but the Pirelli P Zeros took it.”
Next up for Pirelli and the Grand-Am is the June 18-19 EMCO Gear Classic at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The race can be viewed live via the Speed Channel on Saturday, June 19 at 5 p.m. ET.
For more information, visit www.us.pirelli.com.
