Thirteen strong again as SRO America visits VIR this weekend
Monday, June 12, 2023
Last time out around the expansive racetrack of the Circuit of the America’s in Texas, this weekend sees the crews visit the tighter and more picturesque circuit of Virginia International Raceway with thirteen AMR powered crews listed on the provisional entry sheets.
Starting at the top, the GT World Challenge America will see the return of The Racers Group AMR Vantage GT3 with resident driver Derek DeBoer again being partnered by Frenchman Valentin Hasse-Clot ‘fresh’ from his double duties at last weekend’s 24 Hours of Le Mans and Le Mans Cup Series as Ross Gunn is again cup-tied within his British GT Championship duties with Beechdean AMR.
Last time out was another podium winning successful one with that Pro-Am pairing securing a P2 finish is class to go alongside their successes before that at Nola Motorsport Park.
Then within the solo driven GT America cars, we will see five AMR Vantage GT4 powered crews as the Flying Lizard, Chouest Povoledo, TR3 and Heart of Racing teams again submit entries as well as the return of the #009 The Racers Group AMR Vantage GT4 for only the second time this season, and this time under the control of the Prosport Competition team.
Results within the series so far have led to a four-way AMR battle at the top of the GT4 Drivers table with reigning Champion Ross Chouest currently level on points with former champion Jason Bell at the top with Gray Newell just twenty-three points behind them and Elias Sabo two points behind him.
Within the ultra-competitive and multi-classed GT4 America Series, there’s a slightly reduced AMR headcount within this one as a repeat of Bell’s and Michael Coopers class success at CoTA is not to be repeated at this round nor do we see the Todd Coleman Archangel car after his withdrawal from the series last time out but at least but again sees another six Aston Martin’s being run.
Having all returned from Le Mans have been there supporting their Vantage GTE entry within that historic event sees Newell again pair up with Roman de Angelis within their #24 car whilst the two young ladies of Hannah Grisham and Rianna O’Meara-Hunt again go looking for their first silverware wear together within their #26 Am classed car.
Elias Sabo and Andy Lee within the #8 Flying Lizard car with Chouest and Aaron Povoledo in their #50 car, Paul Kiebler and Jon Branam aboard the #77 TR3 as well as the #428 Van Der Steur entry of Brady Behrman and Coby Shield complete the AMR rankings ahead of this series two one-hour pit stop punctuated races this weekend.
We also now understand that Rory Van Der Steur was also due to compete at VIR with another AMR Vantage GT4 alongside his GT4 European Series co-driver Jamie Day. That plan has however gone up in smoke after the team determined that his #19 car was written off during that frighteningly spectacular incident within the Michelin Pilot Challenge Series street race in Detroit two weeks ago.
It sounds like CSJ Motorsport are on the case seeking a spare tub for the team with an aim at being at the next round of the IMSA Series at Watkins Glen
Photo credits – Teams / Series / social media
Photo credits – Teams / Series / social media
