The Pirelli GT4 America series has kept competitors on their toes this season with several variables popping up per race, including a cancellation. Teams like RENNtech Motorsports are winding down the season with a triple-header weekend at Sebring International Raceway before the season finale at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
RENNtech has seen its ups and downs this season play into the chaotic nature of the GT4 series. The team was seemingly finding its stride at NOLA Motorsports Park with a third-place finish in Race One, only to have the momentum halted by a downpour of rain.
The team’s next best finish came at Road America, giving the team the boost, it will need going into a race-heavy Sebring event. Team Manager Sascha Kempter welcomes the challenge at their home track.
“The third race is a big help for us, we seem to get better the longer the weekend runs. Therefore, a third race is perfect for us and couldn’t come at a better track,” Kempter said. “We consider Sebring as our home track. Our Shop is just 90 minutes from the track, and both our drivers are from South Florida, Miami and Orlando. We have the most test and track time here, which, of course, is a huge help for us. Having the NOLA make-up race here is a perfect scenario for us.”
The testing and time at Sebring is a huge gain for RENNtech. The racetrack is one of the more technical tracks on the Pirelli GT4 America calendar. In addition, the famous bumps make it a physical test for drivers and machines. The high heat and humidity take things to the next level.
“Sebring is one of the most enduring tracks while still being one of the most fun tracks on the calendar,” Kempter said. “Our Mercedes-AMG GT4 is one of the more robust GT4 cars and can withstand the famous Sebring bumps. The biggest challenge will be to keep the concentration high for the full race and take advantage of opponents’ mistakes towards the end of the race. The track and the Florida heat will take a toll on drivers and teams, but being local to the track should give everybody in the team an advantage.”
Of course, the team also has its hands full with the AM Class. The series and individual classes have brought a rollercoaster of emotions to fans and competitors.
“The AM Class has been much bigger and more competitive than previous years,” Kempter said. “Our combination of two drivers with similar pace is rather rare, as most other driving pairs have more pro-style driver paired with a slower, true amateur. For a team that has a complete new driver line up, who isnew to the car, category, series, and team, that is a great accomplishment”
RENNtech’s home race prefaces the final event in 2023, Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The team looks back at the season to a collection of kudos worth building on for 2024.
“The obvious answer would be our third place podium at NOLA; that’s what we race for,” Kempter said. “But one of the biggest accomplishments for the team is that we finished every race of the season so far. We didn’t always end up in the points but were able to stay out of big trouble and finished every race on the lead lap. For a team that has a complete driver line up, who’s are new to the car, category, series, and team, that is a great accomplishment.”
Sebring International Raceway is set with three rounds of racing for the Pirelli GT4 America series Sept. 22-24. Tickets are available for purchase online. To follow the race from home, join the over half a million users on the GT World YouTube page by subscribing. Find your spot in the community by following SROMotorsposrts on Twitch, where Ash Vandelay hosts a conversation while streaming each race.