Red flag prevents podium finish

Fabio Scherer (23) narrowly missed out on a podium finish at the 6 Hours of Watkins Glen. The Oreca LMP2 with the #20 was fighting for the lead for a long time.

Fabio Scherer will have fond memories of the 6 Hours of Watkins Glen as part of the IMSA Endurance Cup. Although he and his team High Class Racing narrowly missed out on the podium, Scherer and his two teammates Anders Fjordbach and Dennis Andersen fought for the lead for a long time and proved that it is only a matter of time before the #20 Oreca-LMP2 will finish in the top 3.

“We were just unlucky,” said Scherer, who is supported by STOBAG, ATS Banding System and Wexler, after the race. “We were doing great when a slow puncture forced us to make a pit stop. And that, of all things, three laps before the stop that was actually planned.”

Shortly before the five-and-a-half-hour mark, the race was then interrupted with the red flag. The reason: a thunderstorm was brewing and, according to US regulations, that means that racing is suspended until the all-clear is given.

“We still had 35 minutes after that,” says Scherer. “But we were missing exactly those three laps to go through and get on the podium. So we had to come in again and so had to settle for fourth place at the end.”

Despite missing out on the podium, Scherer will have fond memories of the race at the 5.472-kilometre circuit in Watkins Glen for a long time to come.

“We were up front in terms of speed and I had a few exciting moments when it came to the lead. Besides, this track is just great! I think it was one of the best circuits I’ve ever driven on. Really fast and with lots of up and down passages.”

It’s already on to the next round for Scherer this weekend. The third round of the European Le Mans Series, the 4 Hours of Monza, is on the agenda.