The Fanatec GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS championship is making its long awaited return following the summer break, with the seventh and eighth rounds of the season coming up this weekend at VIRginia Int’l Raceway from July 19-21.
A true drivers’ circuit, known for its elevation changes and physically demanding nature, is a rollercoaster ride from start to finish. These very characteristics are precisely what make the 17-turn circuit a favorite destination on the calendar for competitors. Drivers will be put to the test across two 90-minute races taking place on Saturday and Sunday.
Pro ClassÂ
DXDT Racing made a lasting impression in the Pro class at COTA, clinching back-to-back victories on their debut. This also marked a monumental milestone for Team Chevy, as Alec Udell and Tommy Milner secured the first win in global competition for the newly introduced Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R.
Wright Motorsports maintains its’ lead in the standings, with Elliott Skeer and Adam Adelson continuing their podium streak in the No. 120 Porsche 992 GT3 R, with ST Racing’s Varun Choksey and Bill Auberlen following suit in the No. 28 BMW M4 GT3. Luca Mars and Zach Veach occupy the third spot on the leaderboard in the No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports Acura NSX GT3 Evo22.
Meanwhile, the No. 85 RS1 Porsche 992 GT3 R is set to make its return to the Pro class as Trent Hindman teams up with Spencer Pumpelly once again after previously taking home two wins together in Sebring.
Pro-Am Class
Samantha Tan and Neil Verhagen were dominant in the prior round, claiming dual victories under the Texan sun in the No. 38 ST Racing BMW M4 GT3, which thus promoted them to first position in the Pro-Am class. CrowdStrike by Riley’s George Kurtz and Colin Braun, who recently won the coveted CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, remain in contention in their No. 04 Mercedes-AMG GT3 heading into VIR.
Turner Motorsport are also in the mix, as Justin Rothberg and Robby Foley returned to the podium with their No. 29 BMW M4 GT3, with a second-place finish in Race 2 at COTA, tightening the points gap in the process.
The margins are slim across the board as the next races are fast approaching. DXDT Racing’s Bryan Sellers and Scott Smithson occupy fourth place in the standings as they have shown continuous progress in getting up to speed in their No. 08 DXDT Racing Corvette Z06 GT3.R. Elias Sabo and Andy Lee follow just a mere three points behind, currently sitting fifth in class in the No. 8 Flying Lizard Motorsports Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3, with GMG Racing’s Kyle Washington and Tom Sargent separated from them by just one point in the No. 32 Porsche 992 GT3 R.
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Mercedes-AMG has a strong presence once again, as Jeff Burton and Philip Ellis return with their No. 91 Regulator Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3, accompanied by Ross Chouest and Aaron Povoledo co-driving the No. 50 Chouest Povoledo Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3, joined by Will Hardeman and Alan Metni in the No. 19 Esses Racing with Mercedes-Benz of Austin Mercedes-AMG GT3.