Swedish racing driver Rasmus Lindh makes his IMSA Prototype Challenge debut in the Performance Tech Motorsports No. 6 Motel 6 Ligier JS P3 at North America’s original sports car course, Sebring International Raceway.
Lindh makes a segue into prototype racing July 17-18 at Cadillac Grand Prix of Sebring after the cancellation of the Indy Lights series due to COVID-19. The irregular year of 2020 is Lindh’s third year racing in North America. The Swede burst onto the scene in 2018, claiming vice-champion in USF2000. He gave an encore performance in Indy Pro 2000 the following year, once again being crowned vice-champion. This work comes after a lengthy 10-year karting career in Europe where he won two national championships in Sweden and the WSK Series in Mini 60.
There is no doubt that Lindh is a born and bred competitor. His familiarity with high downforce, open-wheel cars is to lead him into a comfortable understanding of the No. 6 prototype. At 19, his youth gives Lindh the vigor to fight off his competitors, but his calm approach to the sport will provide him with the patience to learn the distinct tests, Sebring offers. His co-driver Dan Goldburg is a veteran of Performance Tech and Sebring International Raceway. He provides proper support to help Lindh truly unleash his talent on the Prototype Challenge field.
Goldburg and Team Principal Brent O’Neill are elated to be joined by Lindh. O’Neill has a penchant for finding not only young talent but a talent that works hard.
“I think Rasmus is someone who’s going to perform right away,” O’Neill said. “I can tell he’s a hard worker. Rasmus has the goal of being a professional, and he has the drive to be one. He’s been with our team a week and is already working on getting things sorted so he and Dan can have the best Sebring possible. I think people will be impressed with him.”
Lindh acknowledges the challenges that lay ahead in trying out prototype racing, specifically at Sebring International Raceway.
“This is a new experience for me,” Lindh said. “Not only am I getting used to the car, but this will be my first time with pit stops and driver changes. The last closed cockpit car I drove was a Porsche GT3 Cup car last year, which is really different than the LMP3. This car also has a totally different driving position. I’ve got my seat insert made and am working on getting comfortable inside it.
“Once we get to Sebring, my first goal is to get up to speed as quickly as possible. Dan and I seem to have good chemistry as a pair thus far, so I think we’ll work well together once we’re at the track. I’ve only run Sebring’s short course, but it is his home track, so I have no worry he can help me learn the rest. I would like to thank Huski Chocolate, Volvo Construction, SKF, PWC Sweden, PWR Junior, Husvärden, Joakim Thedin Design, Belardi Autoracing, Nefertiti, Hello Sweden Team and ‘Friends of Rasmus’ for supporting me as I head down this new avenue. I hope to finish well this weekend with Performance Tech and make them all proud.”
It will be a whirlwind weekend for Lindh with two practice sessions and qualifying taking place Friday, July 17, followed by the one hour and 45-minute race slotted for 11:50 a.m. ET Saturday, July 18. Round 2 of the IMSA Prototype Challenge series live stream is available on the TrackPass on NBC Gold in the USA and IMSA.tv globally. For a detailed schedule of the weekend, visit http://imsa.com.