Blancpain GT World Challenge America kicked-off the 2019 series during the first weekend of March at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) with a showcase of the latest machinery with teams and drivers from across the world represented in a mixture of classes including GT3, GT4 SX, GT4 East, GT4 West, TCR, TC, and TCA.
No doubt it was an exciting weekend for the Audi enthusiasts at COTA. The Pirelli GT4 America and TC America races featured several Audi teams with Audi R8 LMS and Audi RS3 models.
ACNA and Lone Star chapter member, Don Istook and his RS Werkes team, competed in the TCR Class with the Audi RS3 LMS. The Audi R8 LMS models competed under the teams of Doghouse Performance, GMG Racing, Kelly-Moss/Photon Motorsports and Rearden Racing for the GT4 Sprint X race.
The driving duo of Vesko Kosarov and Jeff Burton recorded their first 2019 Pirelli GT4 America victory, driving the No. 91 Burton Lumber/Rearden Racing Audi R8 LMS sports car to the GT4 West SprintX Amateur class win at the famed Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in the Blancpain GT World Challenge road racing season opener.
Audi Club Lone Star chapter members enjoyed the open paddock, Audi car corral, parade laps, tours to the pits, hot laps and goodie bags courtesy of COTA including soft warm blankets for the weather… yes, soft warm blankets.
Rounds 3 and 4 for Pirelli GT4 America SprintX will take place at Virginia International Raceway on April 26-28, which will include the GT4 East series. GT4 West returns to action later this month at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, in support of the California 8 Hours Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli round.