BMW M4 History at VIR Brings Confidence to Fast Track Racing’s Two Pirelli GT4 America Pairings in This Weekend’s Doubleheader

BMW M4 History at VIR Brings Confidence to Fast Track Racing’s  Two Pirelli GT4 America Pairings in This Weekend’s Doubleheader
  • Tim Horrell/Raphael Matos teaming up for VIR in No. 10 BMW M4 GT4 sports car.  
  • Greg Liefooghe/Damon Surzyshyn ready for VIR track in No. 11 BMW M4 GT4 machine

ALTON, VA (June 16, 2022) – History has shown that the Fast Track Racing BMW M4 G4 sports cars have suited the VIRginia International Raceway very well with Pirelli GT4 America overall and class victories at the fast 3.27-mile, 17-turn road circuit.

And the Texas-based squad, sponsored by Sewell Automotive Companies, returns to the popular southern Virginia race track this weekend (June 17-19) in the Rounds 5 and 6 action with two strong entries in the doubleheader 60-minute, two-driver GT4 America race events set for Saturday at 4:05 p.m. EDT and Sunday at 10:55 a.m. EDT.

The two-driver GT4 America lineups for Fast Track Racing at VIR will have the duo of paraplegic racer Tim Horrell of Coral Springs, FL, and multi-time sports car champion Raphael Mata of Bota Raton, FL, in the No. 10 Fast Track Racing BMW M4 GT4 sports car as well as former GT4 America champion Greg Liefooghe of San Francisco, CA, and Damon Surzyshyn of Winnipeg, Manitoba, CANADA, in the No. 11 “Going Pro – SRO America” BMW M4 GT4 machine.

Fast Track Racing’s team manager Toby Grahovec, a multi-time race winner at VIR, says his contingent brings a solid confidence level to VIR this weekend with the BMW’s past performances, but the competition has been extremely strong already in 2022.

“We have had good showings at VIR in the past with our BMW M4 sports cars,” said Grahovec. “And all of our Fast Track Racing drivers are huge fans of VIR as a racing facility. I know I always liked the track and we hope we can continue our team’s success in the GT4 races this weekend. This track lends more to the BMW than the first two racetracks in SRO America this year, but the GT4 America field is so deep this year. We’ll need a good performance to get on the podium (top-three).”

Matos, the former Indy Lights champion from Brazil, loves the VIR circuit and expects the BMW to be in contention in both of the Pirelli GT4 America GT4 features this weekend.

"VIR is one of my favorite tracks in the USA,” said Matos. “We are expecting our car to be competitive there since there's plenty long acceleration zones. Tim also really likes that track and has lots of laps there. The goal is to get Tim to qualify up front and hand me the car in a good position, so I can finish the job."

Horrell, who utilizes hand controls in his race car, has shown outstanding speed in his first season in the Pirelli GT4 America campaign and he is ready to race a circuit he is very familiar with in his racing career.

“Yes, I am anxious to get to the VIR circuit this weekend,” Tim said. “The BMW M4 has been strong in GT4 for many years at VIR and I hope it stays that way for us. I know Rafa is excited about the VIR and

we could use a weekend of podium finishes. I know the Fast Track Racing guys have been working hard to prepare the race cars.”

Liefooghe, a two-time GT4 America series champion, is a veteran of the VIR track as well as the BMW M4 GT4 machine and hopes that Fast Track Racing’s winning trend will continue this weekend with his No. 11 race car and partner Surzyshyn.

“VIR is on top of my list of favorite tracks along with Watkins Glen, so I'm always looking forward to racing there,” Greg said. “It will be interesting to see where we stack up with this bizarre BOP (Balance of Performance), hopefully the Fast Track Racing guys work their magic and give us a car that will be able to run upfront. I know their BMW M4 cars have been very fast in the past.”

Surzyshyn comes to VIR with added enthusiasm as he knows the past success of the Fast Track Racing team at the Virginia race plant and hopes BMW M4 will be strong in the two 60-minute races.

“I love the VIR track,” said Surzyshyn. “Being a Canadian, the area reminds me of Banff with the trees. The landscape is spectacular, and the track is so much fun to drive. I know that Fast Track Racing has had great success in the past with the BMW M4 and TC cars. I hope that Greg and I can continue that record with a solid weekend. I’m very excited to return to VIR.”

Fast Track Racing also entered three TCX BMW M2 CS (Cup) cars (Jacob Ruud, Garrett Adams and Olivia Askew) in the TC America competition at VIR along with the two Pirelli GT4 America entries at VIR.

Practice rounds are scheduled for Friday at 12 p.m. EDT and 5:15 p.m. EDT with qualifying on Saturday at 10:40 p.m. EDT. Race 1 is set for 4:05 p.m. EDT on Saturday with Race 2 on Sunday at 10:55 a.m. EDT.

The Pirelli GT4 America highlights will be shown on CBS Sports Network on Sunday, June 16 , at 12 p.m. EDT with an encore presentation that night at 10 p.m. EDT.

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ABOUT FAST TRACK RACING: Fast Track Racing was founded in 2005. Fast Track Racing has sold 117 BMW factory race cars to our customers in the past five years. Fast Track Racing has earned six championships in the SRO World Challenge series, and two S.C.C.A. National Championships. Fast Track Racing is the first and only United States team to win the BMW Sports Trophy. In total, Fast Track Racing has earned 26 professional wins and over 100 total wins, including 22 poles and 113 podiums, with 23 of the fastest laps in SRO competition. As BMW Motorsport experts, Fast Track Racing also races these vehicles and knows them inside and out. Fast Track Racing is tenured, with track-tested experience. Fast Track Racing has engineering expertise and provides coaching and consultation to ensure a driver’s performance is maximized.