First SRO America win for the new Heart of Racing Vantage GT4 Evo
Sunday, September 08, 2024
This time armed with their first 2024 Vantage GT4 Evo that drivers Gray Newell and Roman De Angelis would race as a Pro-Am paring within the GT4 America Series, it was the bronze rated driver only of the GT America Series that provided the first silverware for Newell as he followed the two Porsche’s home in both forty minute races to claim third in class each time to further consolidate his third place within the GT4 Drivers Championship.
For the other Vantage GT4 racer of Todd Parriott and his #31 Flying Lizard entry, he would have to make do with a P4 and a P6 in class for his efforts whilst the two Vantage GT3 runners of Jason Bell (#2 Flying Lizard) and Tim Savage (#007 Prosport Competition) their deficient BoP would again see them catch to the rear of the pack with P5 and P6 finishes in race one respectively but with an enforced spin for Bell and heavy contact with another car for Savage in race 2.
Being able to catch up with the pack due to the Safety Car brought about by Savage’s contact with Ross Chouest’s Mercedes, and a post-race time penalty for that offending Porsche, Bell was able to lay claim to another P3 class podium.
The main action, however, was within the multi-classed GT4 America Series where the Heart of Racing again ran with their two crews of Newell and De Angelis within their new Evo’s #24 car with Hannah Grisham and Hannah Greenemeir with their usual #17A variant of the car within their now silver category. They were again joined by the #13 Flying Lizard entry of Parriott and Tom Dyer.
The main action, however, was within the multi-classed GT4 America Series where the Heart of Racing again ran with their two crews of Newell and De Angelis within their new Evo’s #24 car with Hannah Grisham and Hannah Greenemeir with their usual #17A variant of the car within their now silver category. They were again joined by the #13 Flying Lizard entry of Parriott and Tom Dyer.
Despite having claimed a front row start for the new #24 Vantage GT4 Evo for race 1, that advantage was sadly lost during the opening race and despite having led the opening half of it, after a Safety car period interfered with the pit stop window. Despite having led the pack out of pit lane again, the gaggle of silver grade drivers behind Newell was enough for him to be removed of his track position by (at first them) and then other Pro-Am classed runners.
For them, race one would be a disappointing P7 in class for the #24 car and a lap down P6 in class for the Silver classed ladies of the #26 car with the #13 Flying Lizard entry finishing in-between both of them.
Race two was however different and gave the #24 Evo first blood within the SRO family of series Stateside after they were able to overcome a lowly qualifying position to take the overall race win with their #26 stablemates close behind for a class podium finish of their own.
A multi-vehicle accident on the opening lap lead to a length clean-up operation which both Newell and Greenemeir serve their minimum drive time following the Safety Car in position. That left both cars with their faster drivers now aboard against others with their lesser capable drivers and very quickly, both Heart cars were picking off those in front for position.
With just one car now ahead, this time a fortunate Safety Car allowed all to catch up onto the back of that car and at the restart became easy pickings for De Angelis for the Canadian to come home a comfortable first overall with Grisham third overall and second in silver.
Next stop for all SRO America Series will be from Indianapolis in early October.
Photo credits – Team / Series / social media
