R. Ferri Motorport wins race 2 of Blancpain GT World Challenge America at COTA
SCOTT HARGROVE ON THE PODIUM AGAIN. DANIEL MORAD FIFTH. ALAIN LAUZIERE WINS IN TC AMERICA TCR CLASS. NICK WITTMER WINS TCA CLASS
Another cool day in Austin today for race no. 2 of the weekend. Starting form pole driving the Acura NSX of Racers Edge Motorsports, Kyle Marcelli held off briefly a charging Tony Vilander in the R. Ferri Motorsport Ferrari 488 GT3. But the Ferrari driver made a great move to take the lead a couple of laps later. At the time of the mandatory stop, Marcelli brought the car in occupying third place overall(first in Pro-Am class).
Scott Hargrove started the race in ninth place and moved up to fourth by the end of lap one.
Daniel Morad’s teammate Michael de Quesada, starting in 10th, drove the first stint for No. 22 Alegra Motorsport and was up to seventh place when he dove into the pits for the driver change.
Wei Lu’s co-driver Jeff Segal, ran the first stint and lost one place early in the race.
Following the pit stops, Miguel Molina took over from Vilander in the R. Ferri Motorsport Ferrari and managed to keep the car in first place. Patrick Long jumped in the Porsche replacing Scott Hargrove and once everyone cycled through the stops, was in second place. Wei Lu took over Jeff Segal and came out in sixth position after the pit stop. Daniel Morad, taking over from Michael de Quesada was in 10th place. Martin Barkey took the relay from Kyle Marcelli and was seventh following the pit stop.
Patrick Long then lost second place to the Bentley of driver Andy Soucek after being held up coming onto the back straight.
Then, with 18 minutes to go, a full course yellow brought the cars together for what would be a dash to the finish. With 10 minutes to go, the green flag was waved. Off the restart, the Bentley of Soucek took the lead briefly before Molina in the Ferrari made a great pass leading into the esses. Unfortunately for Wei Lu, he had to abandoned with an off around the first corners.
Daniel Morad started a charge to gain as many places as possible.
In the Pro-Am class, the leading P1 Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT3 of JC Perez received a late drive through penalty for pit infringement and this gave the lead to the Racers Edge Motorsports Acura NSX of Martin Barkey and Kyle Marcelli.
At the checkered flag, No. 61 R. Ferri Motorsport with Miguel Molina/Tony Vilander took the win over the No. 9 Bentley. Third place went to Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R of Scott Hargrove/Patrick Long. Daniel Morad/Michael de Quesada in the Alegra Motorsport Porsche 911 GT3 R ended 5th overall.
The Pro-Am class was won by Racers Edge Motorsports Acura NSX of Canadians Martin Barkey/Kyle Marcelli. With the late race troubles, TR3 Racing Ferrari GT3 of Wei Lu/Jeff Segal(USA) ended in ninth place(19th overall).
In the Pirelli GT4 America SprintX / GT4 East, Precision Driving Tech
Karl Wittmer with co-driver Marko Radisic(SRB) finished in fifth in class(seventh overall). In the GT4 West, ST Racing Samantha Tan and Jason Wolfe(USA) were classified fourth in class(seventh overall).
Finally, in the TC America – TCR Cup class, Alain Lauzière scored his second win of the weekend driving the Alphasonic Motorsport Audi RS3 LMS as teammate Nelson Chan took third place. The TCA class was won by Nick Wittmer driving the TechSport Racing Subaru BRZ tS and teammate Damon Surzyshyn finished in 13th.
Image cover: PMstills Photography/Patrice Marchessault
