Watkins Glen Race Recap
2022 Watkins Glen
Record Entry
International GT returned to one of our favorite tracks with a sell out field at Watkins Glen International. We welcomed event sponsor COMMUNITY BEER WORKS from Buffalo, NY who has been a long time sponsor on series regular TOM KOPCZYNSKI #520 Porsche Cayman Clubsport. They were a terrific group hosting the IGT reception on Thursday with co-founder Chris Smith handing out “podium” beer. Chris also delivered the most famous words in motorsports, “driver’s start your engines” prior to Saturday’s enduro.
Stuttgart Cup
The Stuttgart Cup category saw some great racing in all three classes. CHRIS RUPPEL #09 Zotz Racing 4.0 won both sprint races but had an unfortunate flat tire in the enduro. In the 3.8 class JOE RIZZO #12 RS1 won sprint race 1 and was second in race 2. Joe joined co driver SPENCER PUMPELLY for a second in the enduro. RS1 teammate TOM BIGONY #174 was second in sprint race 1, winning Saturday’s enduro with co driver JOHN CAPESTRO-DUBETS. First time series winner MARIA MEJIA #11 Quirt Racing 3.8 won sprint race 2. She shared the enduro with co-driver ZAC ANDERSON and the pair took third place. RODRIGO AZPURUA #91 Zotz Racing 3.8 was on the podium for both sprint races, a great first outing with International GT.
Mission Foods GT3 Cup Trophy
Thursday qualifying we dodged some showers with the first session a bit wet however, the afternoon session saw clearing skies and some fast times laid down.
Pole position went to TOM PANK #42 Ultra Performance in his GT 4.R to start the first race, he would go on to win both sprint races. Series sponsor JUAN GONZALEZ #81 Mission Foods took second in both sprint races. The enduro win went to REG WILLIAMS #008 Goldcrest Racing who shared the race with TOM LONG. Third in sprint race 1 and the enduro was BOB NEAPOLE # 67, a great showing from Bob with his new team Hudson Historics.
In the GT 4.I class MARK MATHYS #77 won sprint race 2 and won the enduro with MIKE SKEEN on Saturday. STEPHEN HAMMAN #72 TLM Racing was on the podium all weekend taking one second and a couple thirds in the 4.I class. There was a bit of driver swapping in the #68 TLM car. The sprint race 1 win went to NATHAN BYRD #68, in sprint race 2 DAVID TUATY (who we usually see in #68) was on the podium in third. NATHAN BYRD jumped back in the #68 for the enduro driving solo and finished second.
MARCEL FAYEN #03 FMS Racing had a great run in the 4.0 category winning race 2 and the enduro. However the race 1 win belonged to TIM SAVAGE #14 AutoQuest. NICHOLAS GROOMBRIDGE #124 Speed Sport Tuning was third in sprint race 1 and moved up to second in sprint race 2. DAVID WILDRICK #63, who we only see annually at The Glen was third in race 2 and the enduro. The Mission Foods GT3 Cup 4 liter saw a variety of competitors on the podium including ALBERT LUKAZIK #47 also from Speed Sport teamed with STEPHEN MCALEER to finish second in the enduro.
The 3.8 category was the largest as always! JODY MILLER, #3 TLM Racing was the leader of the pack winning race 1 and 2. But the youngster LUKAS PANK #40 Ultra Performance took the final race, winning the enduro on Saturday. BRADY BEHRMAN # 428 Hardpoint Racing took home a pair of seconds in race 1 and shared the enduro with CODY SHIELDS for another second. ROBERT WISEN #27 Ultra Performance took a second and third in the sprint races, while JAVIER RIPOLL #191 finished on the podium in third in the enduro. International GT has welcomed many new drivers and teams this season, JOHN DEANGELIS #32 AutoQuest brought his 3.6 liter and swept the category.
Maranello Cup
In the Maranello Cup category we enjoyed one of our largest fields for the Ferraris. However, some unusual twists of events, had drivers swapping cars. In the end the Ferrraris didn’t disappoint with some exciting action. COLIN COHEN #15 Norwood Auto Italia won both sprint races, then he parked the Ferrari and pulled out the Maserati for the enduro which he shared with CHRIS COFFEY. In another turn of events, after second and third place finishes in the sprint races, TONY FERRAROteamed up with ROB METKA, (who had mechanical issues and had retired his own car) borrowed brother NICK FERRARO #2 yellow Ferrari to enter the enduro. Nick had not been feeling well – so somehow this entire scheme worked for all and Tony and Rob went on to win the enduro! Also on the podium was ROLAND VEIT#16 with a second and third in the sprint races and SEBASTIAN COPPOLA #288 with a second in the enduro with CRAIG BENNETT.
VIRginia International Raceway – October 6-9
Registration is open for the October race at VIR – click the photo from last year’s race to link to registration. We’ve already received many entries for the event – it’s going to be an exciting weekend! If you have any questions or need any assistance with registration contact Julie@International.net or call (770)380-7770.
Marketplace
FOR SALE
2018 Porsche GT3 R Cup Wright Motorsports Factory Racecar, comes with many spares including an engine and transmission.
For all details and pricing please contact Joe Varde – jvrtampa@aol.com or (813)235-3350.
FOR SALE
2015 Porsche GT3 Cup owned by Tom Nelson, prepped and maintained by Kelly Moss.
For all details and pricing please contact Andy Kilcoyne andykilcoyne@kellymoss.com or click on the photos of the race car to link to complete information.
Do you have something to sell, looking for something to purchase? Use our Marketplace to promote your race car, transporter or equipment. It’s free to International GT participants.
Kernodle Photography
The official photographer for International GT is John Kernodle. Click on the photo to link to the Kernodle Photography website and see special offers from John to International GT competitors.
Pirelli Tire Orders
We are proud to partner with Pirelli tires as the exclusive provider to all International GT events. All Pirelli tire orders need to go through Frisby Tires. Frisby is on hand at all IGT events to service the IGT participants.
Click on the tire photo to link to the Frisby site for IGT orders or call (800)373-7390.
2022 Schedule
