Michael Dinan made his street racing debut this weekend with Flying Lizard Motorsports at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg with the SRO America GT4 America series. The team took delivery of the No. 21 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport less than two weeks before the Florida race, and performed strong to earn a top ten finish in the third and fourth race of the 2019 season.
“Overall we had a good weekend,” said Program Manager Darren Law. “We didn’t get the final result we wanted today in race two, but we are leaving here with points and a race car in good condition. Michael did a great job this weekend, in his first street race ever. He has shown a lot of speed, he is learning and improving his race craft race craft every weekend and has a bright future. The new Porsche Cayman GT4 has proven to be a very good car, the team is working well, and we are looking forward to the rest of the season.”
Dinan took the green flag for race one from fourth position in class, eleventh position overall. While turn one at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg typically produces a string of caution periods, the field made it through the opening laps without contact, and Dinan held his position. Preserving his tires, Dinan had a front row seat for a three-way battle over tenth place, patiently waiting for the fight to unfold. A full course caution came out with 27 minutes remaining in the 50 minute sprint race.
The return to green flag racing was short lived, and another incident brought out a red flag, causing all cars to come into pit lane as track clean up commenced. Only ten minutes of racing remained as the field went back to green. The rookie racer maintained position in the final laps to the checker flag, finishing 11th overall, and seventh in the GT4 America Am class.
Dinan’s fastest lap in race one set him up to start ninth in the Am class and 12th overall. The GT4 field again produced a clean start, but trouble struck for Dinan in lap three. The No. 21 Porsche had contact with another car in turn one but was able to continue. The car promptly pulled into pit lane with radiator damage, resulting an early retirement.
The 2019 GT4 America championship continues on, racing next April 13-14 on the streets of Long Beach, California. The 1.968 mile circuit will host Round 3 of the Sprint championship, with Michael Dinan driving the No. 21 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport in the 50 minute race. Flying Lizard Motorsports last raced at the temporary street circuit in 2013, earning a double podium. The team holds two pole positions, seven podiums and two wins. Notably, driver-turned-team-principal Darren Law finished in second with Patrick Long in 2007, the team’s first time competing at the event. For 2019 event information, visit world-challenge.com