The Pirelli GT4 America championship is set to make its highly anticipated return after the summer break, with the sixth and seventh rounds taking place next week at VIRginia International Raceway from July 19th to 21st.
Twenty-eight cars across three classes will be taking on the classic track, renowned for its elevation changes and fast-paced turn sequences, giving those behind the wheel a true rollercoaster experience from start to finish. These unique characteristics make the 17-turn circuit a favorite among competitors, and drivers will be put to the test across two 60-minute races on Saturday and Sunday.
VIR is a must-visit destination for motorsports fans, providing an open paddock atmosphere and a variety of activities, including autograph sessions, a Car Corral, and a pre-race grid walk on Sunday before the feature Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS event.
Silver Class
In Austin, Kenton Koch and Kevin Boehm emerged victorious in the inaugural three-hour Lonestar Enduro race in their No. 97 Random Vandals Racing BMW M4 GT4, which saw them rise to the top of the Silver class standings. Eric Filgueiras and John Capestro-Dubets sit just a mere five points behind in their No. 28 RS1 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport after finishing runner-up in the endurance race.
Zac Anderson and Colin Garrett occupy third in the standings in the No. 51 AutoTechnic Racing BMW M4 GT4, with Daniel Hanley and Parker Thompson following behind by only 8 points in the No. 999 Hanley Motorsports Toyota Gazoo Racing GR Supra GT4 EVO. Toyota counterparts John Geesbreght and Tyler Gonzalez also remain close, separated by another four points in the No. 68 Smooge Racing Toyota Gazoo Racing GR Supra GT4 EVO.
Meanwhile, Michai Stephens and Jonathan Neudorf in the No. 23 TechSport Racing Nissan Z NISMO GT4 are tied on points with Demi Chalkias and Jake Cowden in the No. 34 JMF Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT4 heading into the next event.
After previously competing in the Pro-Am category, Hannah Grisham and Hannah Greenemeier have moved up to the Silver class with their No. 26 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 for the upcoming rounds at VIR.
Pro-Am Class
The Pro-Am class saw significant changes on the leaderboard following the endurance round. After securing a second-place finish, Curt Swearingin and Kay Van Berlo maintained their championship lead with their No. 7 ACI Motorsports Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, but BimmerWorld’s James Walker Jr. and Tyler McQuarrie in the No. 82 BimmerWorld BMW M4 GT4 reduced the gap thanks to their victory, moving up to second in the standings in the process.
Roman De Angelis and Gray Newell in the No. 24 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 advanced to third in class ahead of Blackdog Speed Shop’s Tony Gaples and Michael Cooper in the No. 9 Nissan Z NISMO GT4.
Flying Lizard Motorsports will be fielding two entries once again, featuring Todd Parriott and Tom Dyer in the No. 13 Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4, while Damir Hot and Rodrigo Baptista will take charge of the No. 5 Nissan Z NISMO GT4.
Alex Vogel and Matt Bell will return to the track in the No. 43 P1 Groupe Mercedes-AMG GT4, while Alexandra Hainer makes her series debut co-driving with Ryan Eversley who rejoin the grid in the No. 07 Precision Racing LA Toyota Gazoo Racing GR Supra GT4 EVO, accompanied by Eric Powell and Colin Harrison in No. 22 TechSport Racing Nissan Z NISMO GT4, and Michael Auriemma and Matheus Leist in the No. 89 RENNtech Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT4.
Comparatively, RS1’s Austin and Roland Krainz are preparing for their second event as a part of the Pro-Am lineup in the No. 18 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport.
The Pro-Am class is also set to welcome a couple of new entries, with Mark Brummond and Mike Skeen taking over driving duties for the No. 53 AutoTechnic Racing BMW M4 GT4 G82, while father-son duo Lucas Catania and Joseph Catania, who previously competed in the TC America powered by Skip Barber championship, are lstepping up into GT4 machinery with the No. 33 Rigid Speed BMW M4 GT4 G82.
Am Class
Random Vandals Racing leads the charge in the Am class, as Paul Sparta and Kris Wilson put their No. 98 BMW M4 GT4 on the top spot at COTA, further extending their championship lead in the process.
Carrus Callas Raceteam had a strong showing in Texas as well, with the new teammate pairing of Nicholas Shanny and Chris Walsh getting off to a stellar start in the No. 20 BMW M4 GT4 G82 with a second-place finish. They were joined on the podium by Robb Holland and Jaden Lander in the No. 099 Rotek Racing Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport.
James Clay and Charlie Postins follow closely behind in the standings in the No. 36 BimmerWorld BMW M4 GT4, with Anthony Geraci and Lance Bergstein attempting to close the gap in the No. 72 KRUGSPEED Toyota Gazoo Racing GR Supra GT4 EVO.
Finally, the grid at VIR will be completed by David Peterman and Lee Carpentier in the No. 52 NOLASPORT Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, and Marc Sharinn and Tyler Sharinn in the No. 16 Skip Barber Racing Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4.
Let’s Get Racing
The Pirelli GT4 America field is set to take to the track during Practice 1 on Friday, July 19th. Click here for the full schedule of the GT4 America weekend.
If you can’t make it to COTA, be sure to tune-in to SRO’s free livestreams all weekend long on YouTube (GTWorld) and Twitch (SROMotorsports) and follow all the action through our social media channels and the event hashtag #GTVIR.