A three way GT4 Championship battle going into the final round of GT America this weekend
Tuesday, October 03, 2023
Eight events and sixteen races down already sees an incredible seven AMR Vantage GT4 drivers listed within the top ten in class going into this final double header race weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway although just two have the chances of standing upon the ultimate top step.
Having battled at close quarter throughout the season that started around the street circuit of St Petersburg back in early March sees the #2 Flying Lizard AMR entry of Jason Bell now leading the GT4 class by thirty-five points from the resurging Porsche of Robb Holland in second with the #50 Chouest Povoledo AMR of Ross Chouest just four points further back.
Whilst the Porsche of Holland started slowly having missed the opening event, he has gone on to secure five race wins since the halfway point to bolster his chances whilst Chouest has faltered slightly only the last few races to place himself into a thirty-nine points deficit to Bell going into the weekend.
Bell meanwhile has learned to be more consistent over the season with just two race wins to his name so far but with only three results off the class podium. All the ingredients point to a very dogged final two forty-minute races where the influence of others will come into effect.
Racing of course within the mixed GT3 and GT4 field for bronze ranked drivers only, this weekend’s finale sees ten GT4 cars race alongside sixteen GT3 and GT2 classed cars around the 2.49 mile banked and infield circuit configuration of the IMS circuit.
The #8 Flying Lizard AMR of Elias Sabo is again in the mix after his race weekend last time out at Sebring was prematurely shortened after a significant incident involving him and the #25 Heart of Racing AMR of Gray Newell. Thankfully, both drivers were otherwise OK and are due back to make amends this weekend.
Joining them will be the three late starters to the series with the #009 The Racers Group AMR entry for Tim Savage and the #13 (now Flying Lizard) AMR entry for Todd Parriott. Whilst Savage is higher up the GT4 drivers table based upon the number of races entered, a good score from him this weekend could elevate himself up to the ‘best of the rest’ position in P7 after that of Sabo and Newell who are presently tied on 153 points apiece. Scott Blind is another one to watch within his brightly coloured #46 Ruckus Racing machine after he scored within his four previous races in the series so far.
Free Practice for this grid again starts on Thursday before Qualifying and Race one on Friday. Their season closes with race two on Sunday morning before the prize winners banquet later in the afternoon.
Photo credits – Teams / Series / social media
Photo credits – Teams / Series / social media
