Circuit of The Americas provided an assortment of experiences for Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama drivers ranging from first wins to scorching temperatures, and to arguably the most crucial of all – additional track time at one of the country’s most technical road courses.
Crigler earns first GT3 Cup win in USA West.
A new name topped the GT3 Cup Pro-Am leaderboard for the first time at COTA, as Mark Crigler celebrated his inaugural series victory on Saturday afternoon. It came during the hottest race seen throughout the weekend, as track temperatures reached above 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Crigler and his Crigler Sport LLC team finally broke through after four consecutive podium finishes dating back to the opening weekend at Apex Motor Club. But, Brannan Hankins – Friday’s winner at COTA in the same class – had been dominant since the season’s first green flag with Loftus Motorsports.
Hankins did face strong competition, though, en route to his Race 1 win. Class newcomer Alex Pratt was posting fastest laps of the day in second place and clawed to within a second of Hankins, but eventually fell off his rival’s pace.
Both drivers took their learning experience to the sister Porsche Sprint Challenge North America races at COTA, also on Friday and Saturday.
In Race 2, the closest competitor to Crigler was Manuel Gil Del Real (Paradaime Performance Engineering) in the 992 GT3 Cup Masters class. Gil Del Real also became a first-time winner in Sprint Challenge USA West at COTA, and took home Saturday’s top trophy as well.
Cecchi’s return, while Herback and Lewis continue season-long Cayman battle.
The father-daughter duo of Greg and Anna Cecchi (Charlie Hayes Racing) popped back onto the Sprint Challenge USA West scene at COTA.
The younger Cecchi ran uncontested in the 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport Pro-Am class for two wins.
Meanwhile, the elder Cecchi joined two fellow Porsche single-make drivers – Greg Herback and Justin Lewis – in the Cayman Masters class. Herback and Lewis are poised for a season-long showdown in Sprint Challenge USA West and the former only led by 14 in the championship arriving at COTA.
The duo alternated victories in Austin, Texas, with Herback winning on Friday and Lewis winning on Saturday. The elder Cecchi finished second in both contests and crucially, Herback forwent points after an out-lap incident prevented him from competing in Race 2.
All four Cayman class drivers hopped between both the Sprint Challenge USA West and North America fields at COTA for a total of four races apiece.
Drivers saddle up for GT Track Day COTA debut.
Porsche GT Track Day made its Circuit of The Americas debut, giving participants the chance to drive the world-famous Austin circuit alongside the combined Porsche Sprint Challenge North America and USA West race weekend.
Drivers tackled COTA’s demanding 3.4-mile layout in their own Porsche road cars through lead-follow and open-lapping sessions as changing Texas weather added to the experience throughout the day.
Porsche Austin supported the event with three Porsche 911 GT3 lead-follow cars and professional driver coaches.
Participants also received behind-the-scenes access to the Porsche Sprint Challenge paddock, including meet-and-greet opportunities with drivers and tours of Porsche Motorsport North America operations.
The day concluded with high-speed hot laps in Porsche one-make race cars driven by Alec Udell and Riley Giacomazzi.
Returning to familiar territory.
Results.
Race 1
GT3 Cup Pro-Am
- Brannan Hankins, #295
- Alex Pratt, #206
- Marc Crigler, #204
GT3 Cup Masters
- Manuel Gil Del Real #270
Cayman Pro-Am
- Anna Cecchi, #27
Cayman Masters
- Greg Herback, #49
- Greg Cecchi, #72
- Justin Lewis, #75
Race 2
GT3 Cup Pro-Am
- Mark Crigler #204
GT3 Cup Masters
- Manuel Gil Del Real #270
Cayman Pro-Am
- Anna Cecchi, #27
Cayman Masters
- Justin Lewis, #75
- Greg Cecchi, #72
