Following the summer break, competitors will be making their highly anticipated on-track return as GT America Powered by AWS tackles the famed VIRginia International Raceway as their next challenge. From July 19th to 21st, 17 cars across 3 classes will be taking on the 3.27-mile, 17-turn rollercoaster for the ninth and tenth rounds of the season.
[source: SRO GT America]
VIR is a formidable destination for both drivers and fans alike, with a highly technical layout providing non-stop action at every corner. In addition to witnessing some of the best GT racing in the world, spectators will be able to take in all the spectacular sights and sounds of the open paddock atmosphere. Autograph sessions, local vendors, and the pre-race grid walk for Sunday’s feature Fanatec GT World Challenge America race all serve as highlights of the unmatched access and family friendly ambiance.
SRO3 Class
Fresh off a win in the Pro-Am class in the coveted CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, all eyes will be on George Kurtz as he climbs back on board his trusty No. 04 CrowdStrike by Riley Mercedes-AMG GT3 and reignites his championship title hunt.
Meanwhile, Jason Daskalos, driver of the No. 27 CRP Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3, maintains the lead in the SRO3 class with 144 points, just 24 points ahead of Kurtz in third. The margins remain slim heading into the upcoming two races, with Johnny O’Connell also joining the conversation with 129 points in second place in the No. 3 SKI Autosport Audi R8 LMS GT3.
Kyle Washington claimed his first podium result of the season at COTA, and will be looking to replicate another strong performance coming into VIR in his No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 992 GT3 R. Justin Rothberg is also eyeing a return to the podium in his No. 29 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT3 after claiming third place in Race 2 in Texas.
Ross Chouest earned his best result of the season so far in the eighth round, securing a fourth-place finish in his No. 50 Chouest Povoledo Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3. Meanwhile, Jason Bell and Tim Savage will be facing off in their dueling Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 EVO machines, with Bell returning with the No. 02 Flying Lizard Motorsports entry, and Savage commanding the No. 007 ProSport Competition car.
The SRO3 class will also welcome Jean-Frederic Laberge as the Canadian makes his debut in the series with the No. 92 MMG Porsche 992 GT3 R.
After previously running in the streets of Long Beach back in April, CJ Moses is set to return to the competition, featuring in the GT2 class with his No. 58 GMG Racing Audi R8 LMS GT2.
GT4 Class
Isaac Sherman continues to lead the pack in the GT4 class in the No. 098 Rotek Racing Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, adding another win to his tally last time out at COTA. However, Curt Swearingin was able to dethrone the frontrunner for the first time this season, taking a win of his own in Austin with the No. 7 ACI Motorsports Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS CS.
Gray Newell has shown great consistency throughout each round, with a streak of podium finishes in his No. 25 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 positioning him third overall in the class standings, just a mere 10 points behind Swearingin.
Todd Parriott and Nicholas Shanny have provided thrilling on-track battles throughout the year so far in their No. 31 Flying Lizard Motorsports Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 and No. 21 Carrus Callas Raceteam BMW M4 GT4 G82, with the intensity only continuing to ramp up as they set their sights on Virginia.
The field will be completed by another Flying Lizard Motorsports entry, as Damir Hot takes hold of the No. 05 Nissan Z NISMO GT4.
Let’s Get Racing
The GT America Powered by AWS field is set to take to the track for Practice 1 on Friday, July 19th. Click here for the full schedule of the GT America weekend.
If you can’t make it to VIR, be sure to tune-in to SRO’s free live streams all weekend long on YouTube (GTWorld) and Twitch (SROMotorsports) and follow all the action through our social media channels and the event hashtag #GTVIR.
