Akhil finishes sixth in IMSA Michelin GT Challenge

Bengaluru, Aug 26 (IANS) India's Akhil Rabindra, the only Asian to seal an Aston Martin Racing Driver Academy spot earlier this year, finished sixth in the IMSA Michelin GT Challenge in Virginia International Raceway in the US.The Automatic Racing team of Akhil and Ross clocked 01:52.740 hours after 48 laps in the race over the weekend despite tricky conditions and multiple caution periods. The results mark the team's best finish of the year."It was a very interesting race. We started placed 21st and finished sixth. I do think a podium was in reach so I'm not completely happy, but hopefully we'll get that podium soon," said Rabindra.Unfortunately, due to thunderstorms in the area, some of the practice and qualifying sessions were cancelled on Friday. Despite the challenges, the duo never backed down and stayed perfectly poised with Rabindra taking the wheel of the No. 09 Stoner Car Care Aston Martin GT4 for the first 1.15 hours of the race, restarting from 21st position.Twenty-three-year-old Rabindra took the seventh spot after overtaking 13 drivers before handing the car over to Gunn with 45 minutes in the race left. Gunn improved their position to take the sixth spot.
--IANS rkm/arm