Road America Race Review and Video
A Great Return To Racing
Little did we know leaving the first race of the 2020 season at Sebring with a record entry for International GT, that there would be a 15 week break from racing. But as quickly as racing was postponed it returned to one of the finest facilities in the country at Road America. Before reading the complete race review below, click on the photo above for a video lap of Road America with 2019 Maranello Cup Champion BENOIT BERGERON.
International GT returned to the 4 mile circuit a month later than originally planned thanks to the quick negotiating of Tony Parella, SVRA President. There were a number of championship points chasers combined with a number of new IGT customers eager to get back to the business of racing enjoyment. Texas was well represented at Road America with JUAN GONZALEZ(Dallas) running his Car Amigo, Mission Foods 4R Porsche (#81). After a very busy few months managing his worldwide, Mission Foods business, Juan was happy to be back in a race car!
Quirt Racing rejoined IGT after Daytona in 2019 bringing three new customers from the Lone Star state to the series. PAT HEPTIG (#71) had a rough start to the weekend with some mechanical issues early on but made a huge come back finishing first in the 3.6L category in sprint race #2 and a class win and second overall in the enduro.
Quirt Racing teammates MICHAEL WILLIAMS (#730) and JOHN BLEAZARD (#103) had successful outings at the scenic America’s Park of Speed.
John took a second in the first sprint race and won the enduro in the 4 liter category. Michael dominated the sprint races in the Mission Foods GT3 Cup 3.8 class, but penalties for pit stop infractions moved him down the finishing order for the enduro.
Orlando, Florida based Zotz Racing was represented by three competitors at Road America. 2019 Stuttgart Cup Champion WILL WACHS had an outstanding weekend sweeping the Stuttgart Cup category but also very impressively ran at the front of the field overall in ever changing track conditions for sprint race #2.
Zotz Racing regulars CHUCK SMITHEE (#55) and NICK GROOMBRIDGE (#56) also found their way to the podium with Groombridge having one of his best IGT races finishing first in the Mission Foods GT 3.8 liter class in the enduro.
Fall Line Motorsports confirmed its “home track” status with MARK BODEN(#46) in his 4 liter Mission Foods GT3 Cup Porsche joined by customer TIM KEZMAN with his first outing in the Exhibition class Dodge Viper (#4). Mark used his track knowledge to his advantage in any weather condition setting fast laps in all sessions and winning both sprint races on Saturday.
Long time series supporter, RANDY CASSLING (#70) in his 3.6 liter Cup car had a great weekend with a first and second place finish in the Sprint races then teaming with CHRIS HALL for a second place enduro finish.
Following the lead of other racing series (NASCAR, IndyCar, IMSA, etc.) BENOIT BERGERON (#127) Maranello Cup Ferrari 458 and his team were able to come into the US from Quebec, Canada. The border with the US has been closed since the pandemic began, but it was worth the border challenge to find victory on the race track. Benoit swept the Mananello Cup category for the weekend winning both sprint races and taking the overall win in the enduro on Sunday.
ROLAND VEIT (#16) Pocono Sportscar Ferrari 458 finished second to Bergeron but wins the category of the most photographed Ferrari in the IGT Paddock.
Next up is Mid Ohio, June 25-28, 2020 with a record entry of more than 30 cars.
2020 Schedule
Updated June 4, 2020
Marketplace
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