Tom Dillmann commended having the “quickest” LMP2 car in the 12-entrant category en route to claiming his maiden IMSA victory at Mosport.
The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship sprint race at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park saw Tom Dillmann, and co-driver Nick Boulle, take their first IMSA victories after four starts since the Daytona 24 Hours season-opener.
Having demonstrated commanding race pace, especially towards the end of the Chevrolet Grand Prix, Dillmann said:
“It’s an amazing result; for us to come here for the first time – do our very first laps together as a team here on Friday – was a steep learning curve against those who tested here. We made gains in every practice session, and they gave me the quickest car in the field.
“My first stint was quite easy; I could pull a gap, and the second was more complicated with those aiming to stay on the lead lap.
“I had to stay calm, even though the gap was coming down, and finally, it was free air again.
“Then, the inevitable final caution, and to be honest, I expected it.”
With 16 minutes remaining, the third and final caution was declared for Ryan Dalziel’s off-moment at Turn 3 in the #18 Era Motorsport Oreca 07, most crucially leaving an eight-minute final stretch to the chequered flag.
Dillmann was tasked with continuing his consistently quick lap times in the class, yet aware of Felipe Fraga’s #74 Riley Oreca chasing behind.
At the finishing line, Fraga ended up at just 0.658 seconds away from Dillman’s winning #52 Inter Europol/PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports Oreca 07.
“It was tough, as in free air, we were fastest, and I could manage the gap, but then it would always bunch up again,” he continued.
“I was able to the fastest lap many times, and then traffic in those final laps. I stayed calm, so – yeah – it was a long time coming for us here at IMSA.
“We have always had great pace all season. In the first races, we could not capitalise.
“At Watkins Glen, we did, and so here, we won, which is amazing. A great team, great drivers, it’s very rewarding.”
