Beautiful spring weather greeted International GT on its return to Road America this past weekend for Round 3 of the 2018 Championship. With a large field in both the Mission Foods GT3 Cup Trophy and the Maranello Cup, it was the 4 liter Porsche of ROB BLAKE and JUAN LOPEZ-SANTINI who dominated the weekend winning overall honors in both sprint races and the enduro. JUAN GONZALEZ ran very strong in his Mission Foods Porsche 4 liter finishing second in both sprint races.
Local team Fall Line Motosports had a good weekend as well, with MARK BODEN and TIM KEZMAN on the podium for Sprint Races 1 and 2. The duo teamed up to win the Mission Foods GT3 Cup Trophy 3.8 liter category in Sunday’s enduro. TOM PANK driving his Ultra Performance prepared Porsche 3.8 liter would podium in the first Sprint Race behind Boden and Kezman and take the top spot on the podium in Sprint Race 2. The International GT regulars were challenged by a number of International GT “Rookies” and “New guys” in Sunday’s 90-minute enduro. BEN JOHNSTON, another Ultra Performance car celebrated his first International GT podium with a 2nd place in the Mission Foods GT3 Trophy Cup 3.8 Liter class. He was followed by series newcomer, MIKE CLARK pairing with BRYAN LINGRUEN for his return to International GT competition. TED GIOVANIS, Team TMG and ROBERT WISEN finished just off the podium with competitive drives throughout the weekend.
Some of the closest racing was found in the Mission Foods GT3 Cup Trophy 3.6 liter class. ED BAUS, from Demon Speed and LUKAS PANK, with Ultra Performance traded positions and were door to door all around the race track. Ed took the top position in Sprint Races 1 & 2 with Lukas winning the enduro with one of the best drives of his young career.
Maranello Cup welcomed two new Ferrari drivers to International GT at Road America. CURT LEAVERTON drove his first race in his F360 supported by Wolf Motorsports. The new and modern Wolf Motorsports facilities are less than a mile from the track. Long time F5000 driver SEB COPPOLA (photo above) made the move to a GT car in his F458 prepared by RM Motorsport. In the end, it was the Norwood Auto Italia group from Texas that commanded the podium positions. STEVE HILL swept the top spot with all three races but not before pit strategy had played into the hands of BARRY FROMBERG who led the final laps of the enduro. But a driver error that Barry graciously admitted on the podium put him back to third position. COLIN COHEN had a very successful weekend running quickly and consistently to finish third in Sprint Races 1 & 2 and 2nd in the enduro.
Top photo – Steve Hill, Middle photo – Barry Fromberg, Bottom photo – Colin Cohen
Round 4 of the International GT Championship Mid Ohio – June 21-24, 2018
As you begin to plan your summer family and racing activities, one of the most popular stops on the International GT schedule is coming to Mid Ohio Sports Car Course on June 21-24, 2018. Registration for the event is now open by clicking below. In addition to what will certainly be some of the best on-track competition of the year, we are planning some fun off-track activities too. You won’t want to miss this special mid-season event.
