Primetime Viper Suffers Blow Out in American Le Mans Series St. Pete Grand Prix

Round two of the 2009 American Le Mans Series Racing Season was difficult for the Primetime Race Group. ALMS GT2 Class driver Joel Feinberg was confident they would make a solid gain in championship points in the St. Pete Street fight in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Primetime Racing Viper Stranded in the St. Pete Street Fight in the American Le Mans Series in Florida
Primetime Racing Viper Stranded in the St. Pete Street Fight in the American Le Mans Series in Florida
“This particular street circuit is very technical with tight corners and hard braking points,” said Primetime co-driver Chris Hall. “This makes it extremely challenging for the front engine Viper to overtake. This forces us to driver harder than any other driver out there.”

Primetime Race Group will next take its Viper to The Tequila Patron American Le Mans Series at Long Beach, California
Primetime Race Group will next take its Viper to The Tequila Patron American Le Mans Series at Long Beach, California
With a precise strategy in place, Primetime owner and driver Feinberg worked his way through the field and attempted to pass the LG Corvette on lap three. In turn two he was forced off the track spinning. The Viper brushed the way lightly and compromised two positions. Feinberg regained control and hit the track and ran for another solid 35 laps to the 5th position.

The Primetime Viper was made as a competition coupe for the European racing circuit. “We took it and developed it for the GT2 Class,” he said. “It has a V10 engine and we run a K&N air filter. K&N gives us excellent filtration and more air for additional power in competitions.”

Fifty three minutes into the St. Pete Grand Prix, slippery track conditions and tire complications resulted in an equation that left the Primetime Viper stranded in turn 10 on the back straight. There was debris on the track and Feinberg locked up in the brake zone and blew out his right front tire.

The Viper limped around the downtown waterfront streets and Feinberg attempted to reach pit lane for a tire change. On the back straight, he lost steering control and the Viper went into the concrete barrier wall.

The chassis on the Viper was not affected by the accident. “It was a sad ending to an optimistic beginning,” said Feinberg. “I’m really at a loss for words. With our strategy and clean racing we had the potential to finish on the podium. That’s racing.”

The Primetime Group plans to return to The Tequila Patron American Le Mans Series in Long Beach, California.

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