TOOELE — Entering its fourth year, the Utah Grand Prix has established a foothold as one of the more challenging legs on the American Le Mans Series circuit. Even the most talented drivers the series has to offer can find their efforts to claim victory in Utah tougher than with most courses.
Just ask David Brabham. The Australian driver has earned a victory or claimed a pole position in every class during his 11-year career with the series. But a victory in Tooele has eluded him thus far.
A malfunctioning gearbox cost him in his first trip to Miller Motorsports Park. An early accident put Brabham and his teammate too far behind in his second trip to Utah.
"We haven't actually had a decent race," Brabham said. "So it will be nice to go there and get that monkey off our back."
Brabham will join several others looking to claim the top spot when the flag drops for the Utah Grand Prix at Miller Motorsports Park on Sunday afternoon.
The start time for the race is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. Sunday. Qualifying for the main race will take place this afternoon. Like other rounds in the American Le Mans Series, the Utah Grand Prix will feature four classes of cars competing on the track simultaneously to be crowned a class winner and an overall champion.
A new wrinkle in this formula will be present at Miller Motorsports Park with the introduction of the Challenge class. This class — which takes the place of the GT1 class — will feature GT3 cars alongside the usual GT2, LMP1 and LMP2 models.
E-MAIL: jcoon@desnews.com
Larry H. Miller Dealerships Utah Grand Prix
2009 American Le Mans Series — Round Four
When: May 15-17
Where: Miller Motorsports Park
Qualifying: Today for all classes, 3:20 p.m.
Main event: Sunday, 2:15 p.m.
Television: SPEED (same-day tape) beginning at 8 p.m. on Sunday
Radio: XM channel 242, Sirius channel 126, 105.3 FM
Internet: americanlemans.com
Larry H. Miller Dealerships Utah Grand Prix
2009 American Le Mans Series — Round Four
When: May 15-17
Where: Miller Motorsports Park
Qualifying: Today for all classes, 3:20 p.m.
Main event: Sunday, 2:15 p.m.
Television: SPEED (same-day tape) beginning at 8 p.m. on Sunday
Radio: XM channel 242, Sirius channel 126, 105.3 FM
Internet: americanlemans.com