Speedway, IN |In the competitive and fast-paced world of motorsports, real-time data and fan engagement are crucial. For the 2024 season, the United States Auto Club (USAC) has teamed up with Griiip to leverage the GriiipLive app, a cutting-edge tool for in-race data analysis and fan interaction. GriiipLive app will provide data for both the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America and USA West in addition to the newly formatted Porsche Endurance Challenge North America. This partnership marks the second year that PSCs will utilize GriiipLive.

Transforming the Racing Experience
The collaboration between USAC, and Griiip aims to elevate the racing experience for fans and teams. Originally developed to enhance fan engagement, GriiipLive has proven invaluable tool for team managers, engineers, and strategists. The app helps teams make informed decisions that can significantly impact race outcomes by providing real-time automatic insights. Drivers benefit from an easy way to debrief their sessions, enabling them to fine-tune their strategies and improve their on-track performance.
“We are excited to continue our partnership with Griiip for the 2024 season,” said Randy Hembrey, USAC’s Director of Road Racing “The GriiipLive suite of applications not only adds significant value to the teams competing in our series, providing new insights in a simple, accessible, and easy-to-understand way, but has also become a critical tool with it’s robust real-time data analysis that is used by our officials and strategists in Race Control. This adds to our series value to our customers and improves the race experience for all.”

Enhancing Fan Engagement
GriiipLive is more than just a data tool; it’s a platform for immersive fan engagement. The app transforms how fans interact with the sport by offering real-time event tagging on the race map, multiple comparison charts and stats, and a soon-to-be-launched live polling mechanism allowing the fans to actively vote on different events that are happening or about to happen. These capabilities keep the audience connected and informed, allowing them to understand the race at a glimpse and engage with the action in a whole new way.

A New Era of Motorsport Technology
This partnership signifies a new era of technology in motorsports. By integrating GriiipLive into their racing operations, USAC sets a new standard for how teams and fans experience racing. The app’s advanced features provide a deeper understanding of the race, ensuring no detail goes unnoticed.
“I’m thrilled about extending our collaboration with USAC for the 2024 season,” said Tamir Plachinsky, Founder and CEO of Griiip. “Racing is our passion, and Griiip is on a mission to elevate the experience of every person involved. We’re proud to work with USAC and support their exciting races and activities”.

Looking Ahead
As USAC continues to innovate and enhance the motorsport experience, the collaboration with Griiip highlights their commitment to technological advancement and fan engagement. The 2024 season promises to bring even more excitement and innovation, setting a new benchmark for the future of motorsports.

Blake McDonald scored two wins this weekend in Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama, but not without feeling the heat from Casey Dennis.

Utah Motorsports Campus hosted the second round of 2024, which McDonald sought to sweep similar to the season opener at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch in March. 

Despite starting first in both races with the No. 208 Porsche 992 GT3 Cup, McDonald had a late acceleration to the green flag on Saturday and chased Dennis back for the lead. It was quick redemption as he regained first place on the next lap and went on for the victory, but only by a few seconds over Dennis. 

On Sunday, McDonald corrected his mistake from the day prior and led flag-to-flag following an excellent start. While Dennis cut into his lead towards the end of the race, McDonald withstood the pressure to sweep his second consecutive PSCUW event with BR Racing. Sam Parnagian completed the podium by finishing third in both races.

“I’d say we didn’t (make the same mistake twice), too, and I think we sorted out the issue,” said McDonald on Sunday. “Casey was crazy fast. I was worried from start to finish. I think he’s going to keep me real honest, and we’re going to have a ton of fun this season.”

In the 992 GT3 Cup Masters class, McDonald’s teammate, Kevin Woods, shone in Race 1 on Saturday. Woods’ team overcame gearbox issues early in the weekend and impressively started fourth after just two qualifying laps. 

McDonald’s stutter at the start line inadvertently helped his teammate as the trailing line of cars was pushed back. And despite being five years away from a Porsche GT3 Cup racecar until this season, Woods was quick to jump ahead of the Masters field to score his second win of 2024. 

On Sunday, however, it was Kyle Washington – coming back from fifth in the No. 232 GMG Racing Porsche – to clinch his first win of the year after two podiums at Spring Mountain.

In the Cayman GT4 Clubsport class, Eli Kogan continued his winning streak with victories on Saturday and Sunday, bringing his total to four on the season. In Cayman GT4 Clubsport Masters, Richard Kinsey became the third winner in the class on Saturday and doubled down for another victory on Sunday. 

For the first time this year, Porsche Sprint Challenge North America and USA West by Yokohama will unite at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) on May 24 – 26, with a trio of races scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday.

However, for the first time in series history, competitors will tackle a 60-minute endurance race – the first of three this season – before concluding with a six-hour enduro at COTA again later this year. The races will feature a class for 911 GT3 Cup cars and another for 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsports in a new-for-2024 championship that has been named the Porsche Endurance Challenge North America.

Porsche Sprint Challenge race replays are available on the Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube Channel.

Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama Official Results: Race 1 and Race 2

 

Thomas, Chambers dominate Sprint Challenge in Barber

In a weekend full of constant battles, multiple yellow flags, and even a flipped racecar, Jared Thomas and Chloe Chambers secured two victories in the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama GT3 Cup and Cayman GT4 Clubsport classes, respectively. 

Barber Motorsports Park hosted the second round of Sprint Challenge in support of the INDYCAR Series weekend. While drivers such as Chambers joined for a one-off event, series regulars vied to score crucial championship points early in the year.

Porsche GT3 Cup:

Jared Thomas put on a masterclass in Porsche 992 GT3 Cup for the second consecutive event by winning both rounds at Barber in the No. 296 JTR Motorsports Engineering Porsche. 

Thomas built a margin of 22 seconds en route to his Saturday victory and was poised to do the same on Sunday. Race 2, however, went on to finish under caution after the No. 285 Porsche of Jake Pedersen was sent flipping during a late-race restart. The Porsche Carrera Cup North America regular quickly notified officials he was okay and walked away from the incident.

While Thomas powered to his victories, the battle raged behind him for the remaining podium positions. Paul Bocuse led the charge for MDK Motorsports, finishing third in Race 1 and second in Race 2, while his teammate Ashley Freiberg finished third in Race 2. 

Two-time Porsche Carrera Cup North America Pro-am champion Efrin Castro – who joined Sprint Challenge for the weekend in support of the Children’s of Alabama organization – took home a podium position of his own, finishing runner-up in Race 1. 

In the 992 GT3 Cup Masters class, Scott Blind steadily won on Saturday in the No. 245 Porsche while also finishing fifth overall among the Pro/Am contenders. However, in Race 2, Blind tangled with Saturday’s runner-up, Rob Walker, on the first lap, which opened the door for Joel Johnson to steal the victory on Sunday and similarly finish fifth on the overall charts. 

In the 991 GT3 Cup class, Charlie Peter glided to a weekend sweep in the No. 166 Porsche, but not without pressure from Niels Meissner. Meissner meticulously worked his way through the field in both races and even looked to have a better chance of a challenge on Sunday before the late yellow flag. His No. 152 Porsche, however, was capped at second place in both rounds.

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport:

Formula One Academy driver and 2023 Sprint Challenge North America competitor, Chloe Chambers, returned to the series at Barber to win the Cayman GT4 Clubsport category on both Saturday and Sunday. 

While Chambers parachuted in this weekend to take the wins, all eyes were on Pro/Am championship leader Ian Porter, who charged from last on the grid of 26 cars in Race 1 to finish second by .411 seconds. 

In Race 2, Porter used lapped traffic to close in on Chambers again in the final minutes. The No. 86 Porsche ran nose-to-tail behind Chambers, but was unable to pull door-to-door and finished a mere .229 seconds behind in second.

Porter’s Rafa Racing by JDX teammate, Caroline Candas, finished third in Race 1 after surviving a late-race, four-way battle for the podium. Nick Shaeffer, who was part of that fight but spun after contact, recovered to finish third on Sunday. 

In the Cayman GT4 Clubsport Masters class, Michael Clark and Shaun McKaigue finished 1-2 in both contests, with Jason Golan and Jeffrey Majkrzak splitting the final spots on the podium.

In approximately one month, Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama heads to Texas for its third event of the season at Circuit of The Americas on May 24 – 26. The Texas weekend will also be the opening round of the new Porsche Endurance Challenge North America series.  

Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West, splits the break with its second event of 2024 at Utah Motorsports Campus on May 10 – 12. 

 

Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama Official Results: 

Porsche GT3 Cup – Race 1 and Race 2

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport – Race 1 and Race 2

Porsche Sprint Challenge race replays are available on the Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube channel.

 

Speedway, IN – BRM Chronographes, the renowned French luxury watchmaker celebrated for its innovative designs and commitment to precision engineering, proudly announces its sponsorship of the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America and USA West Championship as the Official Championship Chronograph. 

 

As a brand deeply rooted in the world of motorsports, BRM Chronographes is thrilled to align with the Porsche Sprint Challenge, an exhilarating racing series known for its adrenaline-pumping action and unwavering dedication to excellence. Designed with exceptional technical precision and never mass-produced, the company’s timepieces exemplify true luxury lifestyle. BRM is synonymous with individuality, exemplified with the new unique Porsche Sprint Challenge designed timepieces. BRM has built global relationships with racing’s elite, establishing a presence in more than 20 countries.

 

“Porsche’s legacy of motorsport innovation since the ’60s is a cornerstone for BRM Chronograph. Our collaboration with Martini Racing celebrates this shared history, showcasing our commitment to innovation. Inspired by Porsche’s ’70s aesthetics, BRM has been a color pioneer since the early 2000s. Looking forward to an extraordinary year of partnership.” – Frederic Gasser President BRM America 

 

“BRM Chronographes embodies the spirit of precision and performance that Porsche stands for. We are thrilled to welcome them as a partner of the Porsche Sprint Challenge”, said Kevin Miller, United States Auto Club CEO. “Together, we will continue to deliver unforgettable experiences for drivers in the Porsche Sprint Challenge.”

 

Class Champions from Porsche Sprint Challenge North America and USA West will receive a custom V644GTAR BRM Chrono as a result of their accomplishment. Each Chrono will be customized with Porsche Sprint Challenge branding to represent the winning of the 2024 Championship. 

 

V644GTAR: automatic – stainless steel case with white dial with red hands and Porsche Sprint Challenge logo at 6 – screw down crown – racing number engraved – tachymeter – crystal sapphire front and back – alcantara strap – retail: $5750.00 – options: hands color could be changed – fount on dial could be changed – tachymeter color could be changed – lacquer could be added to the case –  racing number (as well as color) on crown could be changes – strap colors hole and stitching could be changed – case metal could be change in titanium or aluminum, price upon request.

 

As part of the sponsorship, BRM Chronographes will showcase its exceptional timepieces at Porsche Sprint Challenge events, offering enthusiasts the opportunity to experience firsthand the craftsmanship and sophistication that define the brand.

 

The collaboration between BRM Chronographes and the Porsche Sprint Challenge promises to bring together two iconic brands in the world of motorsports, combining their expertise to create unforgettable experiences for drivers of the Porsche Sprint Challenge.

 

For more information about BRM Chronographes and its collection of luxury timepieces, please visit – https://www.facebook.com/BRM.Chronographes.Americas or https://www.instagram.com/brmamericas/

 

In the season-opening weekend for Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama, elbows were out quickly as more than 20 drivers tackled challenging weather conditions and ambitious competition at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch in Nevada.

The starting grid for Race 1 was shuffled after a red flag in qualifying on Saturday prevented flying laps by some of the series’ top contenders, and inclement weather shifted both races to Sunday.

Laura Ely in the No. 209 Porsche 992 GT3 Cup for Black Sheep Racing took advantage of the mixed lineup, starting on the second row and jumping to the lead in the opening minutes. 

She nearly cruised to the win but as the morning temperatures rose, her tire pressures did as well. Kyle Washington was able to close in for a last-lap battle with his fellow Masters competitor, but crossed the line just .278 seconds behind Ely for the runner-up result.

“There had been a lot of challenges with tires this weekend with the rain and cold temperatures, so I just wanted to make sure I had enough grip early in the race to get a good position,” said Ely. 

“We lucked out a little bit – we were P5 and moved up to P3 after some grid penalties that other drivers had, so we started on the inside of Row 2.

“I took advantage of that and made a pass on the first lap going into Turn 10, and took advantage of the grip. From then on, it was a pretty good track for the rest of the day. 

“Towards the end, my pressures came up a little too much and I started to get a little loose. Kyle Washington came up behind me and gave me a battle right at the end, but we prevailed and got P1 overall.”

In the 992 GT3 Cup Pro/Am class, Blake Mcdonald started on the backfoot by taking the green flag last in Race 1 driving the No. 208 BR Racing Porsche. However, he clawed his way through the field, and other competitors were dealt in-race penalties throughout the 35-minute, plus one-lap race. Mcdonald went on to claim the class victory, and with only three minutes left, he also sneaked onto the overall podium.

Starting Race 2 much more advantageously in second place, McDonald had a spirited battle with James Li as both drivers vied for the victory. The pair of 992 GT3 Cup Porsches swapped the top spot and fought side-by-side before Li withdrew to conserve his tires. While Li went on to finish sixth in the Pro/Am category, Sam Parnagian and Casey Dennis rounded out the podium on Sunday afternoon.

“After the bad qualifying results that we had, it feels really good to put it together like this,” said Mcdonald after clinching the overall victory in Race 2.

“That’s what I wanted to do in the first race and I’m glad I got it done now. I want to say a massive thank you to BR Racing – they’re taking this as serious as a factory GT3 team and they’ve given me a Cup car at its absolute best. I can’t thank them enough.”

McDonald’s teammate, Kevin Woods, completed the Race 2 sweep for BR Racing by starting and finishing first in the 992 GT3 Cup Masters class. 

While Woods ran uncontested amongst the Pro/Am top-five, the fight for second and third in Masters was once again between Ely and Washington. Both drivers dashed around traffic in the final laps, but went on to finish second and third, respectively.

In the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport category, Michael Gaulke finished just car-lengths ahead of second-place Richard Kinsey for the Race 1 Masters class win. 

However in Race 2, Gaulke was caught up in a first-lap incident that thwarted his chance at a weekend sweep. Rodd Wagner went on to win the class that afternoon, while Eli Kogan claimed both trophies in the Cayman GT4 Clubsport Pro/Am category.

Porsche Sprint Challenge now has a month-long break until its next round for the North American championship on April 26 – 28 at Barber Motorsports Park. USA West is back on track two weeks later on May 10 – 12 at Utah Motorsports Campus.

Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama Official Results: Race 1 and Race 2

Porsche Sprint Challenge race replays are available on the series’ YouTube channel.

Porsche one-make series to race four endurance events culminating in Six Hours of COTA

• Porsche Motorsport North America adds new one-make endurance championship to Motorsport Pyramid.
• Porsche 911 GT3 Cup and 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport models to form two-class race events of 60 minutes and six hours.
• Six-hour race at the Circuit of the Americas will cap four-race season and crown champions.
• USAC to sanction series, which utilizes Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama regulations.

With the overwhelming success of its one-make championships and the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid North America, Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA) has announced the next evolution in one-make racing for the continent, the Porsche Endurance Challenge North America.

The four-event championship will include three 60-minute races and a single six-hour endurance race which will bring the inaugural season to a close. The new race series will debut at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas on May 26, 2024, and conclude at the Texas track on November 22, 2024.

Each round will feature a top category for the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race car (type 992 and 991.2) and a class for the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport. Cars currently authorized to race in either the United States Auto Club (USAC) sanctioned Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama or the Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama are eligible to enter the Porsche Endurance Challenge North America.

The series will begin on Memorial Day weekend, May 26, with a 60-minute round at COTA. Being hosted on an established date for both the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama and the Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama, the debut endurance round will be an exciting addition for teams, drivers and spectators looking for more single-brand competition.

Round two will follow on August 11 at “America’s National Park of Speed”, Road America. The Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin round – again one hour in length – will be a part of the weekend previously announced for Porsche Sprint Challenge North America and Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West. The penultimate race weekend will take place in the wine country of California, at Sonoma Raceway on September 29. The finale will crown the Porsche Endurance Championship’s inaugural victors in a stand-alone event at COTA.

The first three rounds, all 60 minutes in length, will mandate a single pit stop. Regulations for the six-hour endurance round, with its added drivers and consumables, will require a minimum of four stops for fuel.

The three opening rounds will allow a single driver format with a maximum of two drivers per car, with one of the drivers holding no more than a Bronze rating. The six-hour finale will require three drivers, and allow up to two drivers with a Bronze rating. Further technical details and regulations for the series will be announced at a later date.

The United States Auto Club, well known for decades as a leading motorsport sanctioning body, has overseen the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama since the series debut in 2021. USAC conducted the United States Road Racing Championship from 1958 – 1962.

It was the organization behind Indy Car racing and the Indianapolis 500 for decades and, today, USAC is one of the leading motorsports organizations in the USA. The Speedway, Indiana-based organization has oversight of series on many racing fronts including circle track, rally, off-road, snowmobile, karting and youth racing in its portfolio.

Porsche Motorsport Pyramid North America

The Porsche Motorsport Pyramid North America provides the racing industry’s only clear path for drivers, teams and marketing partners to progress through the ranks of sports car racing. From novice instruction and track days with Porsche road cars through to full participation in professional open competition around the world with purpose-built Porsche racing machines, Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA) provides a map, appropriate car and support throughout the journey. It is the perfect career pathway to move through the sports car racing echelons. At each step on the Pyramid, Porsche provides the appropriate tools, personnel and strategies to realistically model the career path for drivers, teams and partners.

Volker Holzmeyer, President and CEO, Porsche Motorsport North America

“The Porsche Motorsport Pyramid North America is designed to bridge the gaps through the ranks of racing in the United States and Canada. The Porsche Endurance Challenge North America will take this further. The series is designed to provide our one-make drivers – particularly those who don’t make racing their livelihood – and teams an endurance racing alternative with cars they know well: the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup and Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport. We have focused on cost efficient ways to go endurance racing and, as all cars are the same, a very equal competition between the drivers participating. Initial interest has been very positive, and we look forward to our first event in Austin at the end of May.”

2024 Porsche Endurance Challenge North America Schedule
May 26: Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas – 60 minutes
August 11: Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin – 60 minutes
September 29: Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, California – 60 minutes
November 22 – 23: Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas – Six hours

Drivers across all classes in this weekend’s Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama season opener emerged as ones to watch as the year goes on, with Jared Thomas and Ian Porter leading the way.

At Sebring International Raceway, Thomas bested the field of Porsche GT3 Cup cars – featuring 992 GT3 Cup Pro/Am and Masters classes, plus a class of 991 GT3 Cup cars – in both races, driving the No. 296 Porsche for JTR Motorsports Engineering. 

Thomas dipped his toe into Sprint Challenge last year, winning both races in his lone outing at Mid-Ohio SportsCar Course, and has now kickstarted his first full-season campaign in the series by doing the same at Sebring. While Race 1 ended under a full-course yellow – but nearly saw a final lap of action to threaten Thomas’ lead – Race 2 on Sunday ran the full duration for him to showcase his strengths.

“We went back to the drawing board last night, figuring out what we did right and what we did wrong,” said Thomas, a two-time Mazda MX-5 champion, on Sunday. “We made some adjustments that I think helped us out today. I’m super happy to have run the full distance there and not get hampered by a Safety Car; that’s obviously the last thing I wanted to have happen. I’ve got to thank my team, JTR, and the guys back at the shop, and I’m excited to start this season off great.”

Three strong contenders for 2024, and champions in their own right, battled for the remaining 992 GT3 Cup Pro/Am podium positions – 2023 Cayman GT4 Clubsport Pro/Am champion Paul Bocuse, 2023 991 GT3 Cup champion Ashley Freiberg, and 2023 Lamborghini Super Trofeo Global Am champion Anthony McIntosh. Orlando native Bocuse finished third in Race 1 behind Freiberg and second in Race 2 ahead of McIntosh. 

Rob Walker and Niels Meissner mirrored Thomas’ results in the 992 GT3 Cup Masters and 991 GT3 Cup classes, respectively. Walker quietly inherited the Race 1 lead after two frontrunners tangled midway through the contest and withstood a constant presence from Scott Blind in Race 2 for the second win. Meissner sailed to the 991 GT3 Cup victory in both races, finishing top 10 overall amongst GT3 Cup competitors as well. 

In the Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport category, three-time Call of Duty World Champion Ian Porter traded his game controller for a steering wheel, achieving the same success in the Pro/Am category. Entering his first professional race weekend, Porter started from the pole position in both races and endured a last-lap shootout in Race 2 to clinch both victories. 

Porter’s victories came in the first-ever stand-alone race for the Porsche Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport – the 4.0 liter powered car racing in Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama for the first time.

“The lights went out on the Safety Car, and I asked Alec (Udell, driving coach), ‘Hey, does this mean we’re starting again?’ and he said, ‘Yep, get ready to go,’” described Porter. “I thought, oh, here we go. But that’s how I want to win a race, just like that. 

“Shoutout to the entire gaming community. It doesn’t matter what title you play. I’m just out here, touching grass, doing things in real life. I want to thank my wife, Dana, for putting up with me and all of this. It’s been a tough nine months or so trying to learn everything I can about this. I want to thank my family, my friends, but the biggest one of all is the Rafa Racing Team by JDX. I never would have done this if it wasn’t for their opportunity and also to Grid Finder – we’ve got the coolest looking car on the grid, for sure.”

Porter’s Rafa Racing by JDX teammate and Rafa Racing Female Driver Shootout winner Caroline Candas scored two runner-up finishes in her PSCNA debut, while Tillman Schmid finished third-in-class in both rounds but improved by finishing sixth overall in Race 1 to third overall in Race 2. 

Matt Joffe and Jeffrey Majkrzak split wins in the Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport Masters class, with the former landing on the overall podium in Race 1 and the latter taking his victory on Sunday after a runner-up finish the day prior. Alain Scalzo, Michael Clark, and William Peluchiwski also tallied podium finishes in the Masters class at Sebring.

With the first weekend of Porsche Sprint Challenge North America in the books, its counterpart series, Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West, will follow suit for its season opener at Spring Mountain. The Nevada-based circuit will host the series on March 29 – 31, while PSCNA returns to action next at Barber Motorsport Park on April 26 – 28. 

Porsche GT3 Cup Official Results: Race 1 and Race 2

Porsche Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport Official Results: Race 1 and Race 2

Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama returns to action this weekend at Sebring International Raceway – boasting a double-digit increase in car count as the series embarks on its fourth year of competition. 

Sixty-two entries across five classes will take on the first doubleheader of the 2024 season, which in total features seven events for Porsche Sprint Challenge North America and six for its western counterpart, Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West.

The five classes remain largely unchanged from 2023, with Pro/Am and Masters categories for Porsche 992 GT3 Cup (models 2021 – 2024) and Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsports (models 2022 – 2024), in addition to a field of Porsche 991 GT3 Cup entries. 

Three of the five champions from 2023 are back this year to defend their titles, albeit with changes. Ashley Freiberg and Paul Bocuse – the reigning 991 GT3 Cup and Cayman GT4 Clubsport Pro/Am champions, respectively, and fellow MDK Motorsports teammates – have both jumped up into the top 992 GT3 Cup class for 2024. Defending Cayman GT4 Clubsport Masters titleholder Jason Golan returns to his class with Kelly Moss. 

Racing newcomer Conrad Geis completes MDK Motorsports’ trio of drivers for 2024, while Golan is one of a series-high ten entries for Kelly Moss. Fall-Line Motorsports and Goldcrest Motorsports follow suit with six entries apiece, while JDX Racing returns with five entries. 

More than ten drivers will be making their Porsche Sprint Challenge debut this weekend at Sebring, with a handful bringing experience from other single-make series.  Drivers continue to explore the Porsche Motorsport North America Pyramid – stepping from Sprint Challenge to Porsche Carrera Cup North America.

For 2024, there are five females on the grid. Loni Unser has swapped her spot in the Sprint Challenge broadcast booth for a driver seat with Kelly Moss, and Therese Lahlouh joins as the first African American female in the series after competing in USA West last season. 

“Porsche Sprint Challenge continues to be a vital step in our Porsche Motorsport North America pyramid. To have nearly a 30 percent increase in entries in Sebring this year is outstanding,” said Volker Holzmeyer, President and CEO of Porsche Motorsport North America.

“We have another two young stars in Zachary Vanier and Madeline Stewart graduating to Carrera Cup this year, and they are following in the footsteps of Jimmy Llibre and Elias de La Torre, who made the jump from Sprint Challenge to Carrera Cup last year.

“The entry list for this year is very exciting with a host of young stars, talented experienced veterans, and four exceptional female racers.”

Two pairs of races are scheduled for this upcoming weekend, with Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport going green on Saturday at 1:35 p.m. ET and on Sunday at 9:40 a.m. GT3 Cup follows shortly after both with green flag times on Saturday at 3:20 p.m. and Sunday at 12:25 p.m. 

All Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama races stream live on FloSports, in addition to the series’ YouTube channel. More information can also be found at www.porschesprint.com and on social media via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Speedway, IN | The 2023 Porsche Sprint Challenge by Yokohama season concluded this weekend, featuring a joint event for the North American and USA West championships. Ten champions were crowned across the two divisions, following four races that ran through rain and sunshine at the Racing Capital of the World.

Porsche 992 GT3 Cup:

Zachary Vanier capped off his dream, championship-winning season with a double 992 GT3 Cup Pro/Am victory at Indy in the No. 206 MDK Motorsports Porsche. In 2023, Vanier won all but two races of the 14-round season, exuding near dominance no matter the track or conditions.

“This season was remarkable for my team, partners, and I,” said Vanier, who drove to each race on the Sprint Challenge calendar with his father. “We always unloaded the car with a strong baseline set and were able to quickly fine tune it, allowing me to focus on getting comfortable with the car and the track quickly. I give a big credit to the support system I had this season for pushing me to these results and ultimately allowing me to drive with the most amount of maturity I’ve demonstrated in my career.

“I experienced some challenging track conditions, both wet and dry, learned a new car and tire compound, as well as experienced some cool wins at historic places such as Indianapolis and Circuit of The Americas. I’m just extremely grateful for the opportunity I had this year and I’m really looking to use this momentum into next year.”

Vanier finished 44 points in the standings over Aidan Kenny, who looked to close the gap if not for being collected in a first lap incident during Race 1. The ACI Motorsports driver rebounded to finish third on the podium in Race 2, and the pair also finished 1-2 in the 2023 Porsche Juniors Championship.

“The biggest highlight I’ll take away from 2023 is simply the success that we encountered,” added Vanier, who eyes an entry in Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America next season. “It’s not often you win all but two races in a season, so when it does happen, it’s something you cherish and be grateful for simply because it’s unknown if it’ll happen again. Of course, as a competitor you hope it does, but it’s just so unpredictable.”

In the sister USA West Pro/Am category, Robert Todd only needed to start and finish both rounds this weekend to clinch the championship. The BR Racing team owner elected to run conservatively in Thursday’s rainy first round, before gaining five positions and finishing third on Friday to complete the USA West class podium. James Li swept both USA West Pro/Am victories at Indy.

While Todd cruised to his title, the Pro/Am standings finished with only four points separating Kenton King in second, Will Wattanawongkiri in third and Kayden Kelly in fourth.

Championships were also decided in the 992 GT3 Cup Am classes for both North America and USA West. In PSCNA, David Williams topped Mark Boden for the title after scoring a win and runner-up finish this weekend. Boden scored a win himself in Race 1, but finished fourth-in-class on Friday.

In PSCUW, Peter Ludwig swept both Am class victories – and finished on the overall podium in Race 1 –to clinch the championship over Laura Ely by just 20 points.

Full 992 GT3 Cup results: Race 1 and Race 2.

Porsche 991 GT3 Cup:

Two champions took home honors in the 991 GT3 Cup class – Ashley Freiberg in PSCNA and Casey Dennis in PSCUW. Both drivers dominated their respective classes throughout the season, with Freiberg winning seven races in 2023 and Dennis winning all 12 rounds of his series.

With the 991 GT3 Cup class joining the Cayman GT4 Clubsport field once again at Indy, the 991 drivers competed for the overall lead in entertaining battles. PSCNA driver Dimitri Dimako – joining the series for the first time this weekend – stole the show in both races. However, a late penalty in Race 1 demoted his No. 169 Porsche down the field, elevating Dennis to a noteworthy victory and Freiberg to third overall, second-in-class.

Dimako came back in winning fashion on Friday, with Dennis finishing second. Freiberg was in the hunt for another podium finish, but clashed with a fellow frontrunner midway through the race and brought an early end to her final race of 2023.

Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport:

In the Cayman GT4 Clubsport category, Paul Bocuse had much to celebrate in Race 1 after scoring his first victory of the year and all but clinching the North American title, which he went on to do the following day. While it was only his first win of 2023, a consistent season placed Bocuse ahead of the stacked Pro/Am field throughout the year. The MDK Motorsports driver finished second on Friday behind winner Florian Eyme.

With six wins this season, Jason Golan captured the PSCNA Am title over William Peluchiwski and Alain Scalzo, both of whom were winners at Indy.

In the USA West Pro/Am category, which wrapped up at the last event at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, the championship went to Matthew Paige, while Michael Gaulke sealed the Am title at Indy.

Full 991 GT3 Cup / Cayman GT4 Clubsport results: Race 1 and Race 2.

All replays of 2023 Porsche Sprint Challenge North America and USA West by Yokohama races are available to stream live on the series’ YouTube channel. More information can also be found at www.porschesprint.com and on social media via Facebook, Instagram and X.

Salinas, CA | Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama ran its penultimate round of the season this weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, with nearly 30 cars running to support the INDYCAR Series finale event.

After a qualifying session that saw the top-three Porsche 992 GT3 Cup race cars separated by just .009 seconds, a morning shower limited green flag action for Race 1 on Saturday. Kenton King, the WeatherTech Pole Position Award winner, went on to score the Pro/Am class victory with Robert Todd and Charlie Hayes completing the podium.

Later in the day for Race 2, Todd mirrored King’s earlier performance by starting from the pole position himself and leading from green flag to checkered. King and Hayes ran second and third, but both drivers faltered and fell down the order mid-race. Will Wattanawongkiri was elevated to second in Pro/Am after starting seventh and after an incident in Race 1, Sam Parnagian recovered to finish third.

In the Porsche 992 Am category, Peter Ludwig started first in both races but faced a handful of obstacles. Ludwig led for the five minutes of action in Race 1, but was running near Parnagian’s incident that brought out a yellow flag with 30 minutes remaining. While the race would not restart due to weather, it was determined Ludwig’s Porsche fell behind Laura Ely and Kyle Washington as he navigated the incident, giving the win to Ely and ultimately finishing third.

With both King and Ely – who are teammates at Black Sheep Racing – winning their respective classes in Race 1, the achievement marks only the second time a Sprint Challenge USA West team has swept their class victories and the first team to do so in the 992 categories. Flying Lizard, a fellow California-based team, holds the record for a three-class sweep last season at two tracks.

 

In Race 2, Ludwig maintained the lead from start to finish, but held off a hard-charging Ely seeking her second win. Ely started five spots behind Ludwig and finished within a second, while Washington took home another podium in third.

In the 992 GT3 Cup championship standings and with one round remaining, Todd leads King by less than 30 points, while Ludwig leads Ely by only 15 points. Casey Dennis, meanwhile, had yet another dominant weekend in the Porsche 991 class, sweeping both wins on Saturday. John McInnes shared the podium alongside Dennis in both races, finishing second in Race 1 and third in Race 2, with Jim Walsh and Michael Zuieback having their turn in the top-three as well.

In both races on Saturday, Jade Avedisian and Michael Gaulke claimed swept the Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport Pro/Am and Am class victories, respectively.

 

Official results: Race 1 and Race 2.

The 2023 finale at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is all that remains for both Porsche Sprint Challenge North America and USA West. After first joining together at Circuit of The Americas last month, the two series will reunite again on October 4 – 7 to conclude both seasons.

All Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama races stream live on FloSports, in addition to the series’ YouTube channel. More information can also be found at www.porschesprint.com and on social media via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.