AUSTIN, Texas – R. Ferri Motorsport secured a hard-fought victory in Sunday’s Blancpain GT World Challenge America contest at Circuit of the Americas to deny K-PAX Racing its second triumph of the weekend.
The R. Ferri Motorsports Ferrari 488 GT3 driven by Miguel Molina and Toni Vilander had looked set to cruise to a dominant win at the famed Texas track, only to be thrust into an all-out battle with K-PAX Racing because of a late full-course yellow. The resulting racing had Molina and Andy Soucek putting on a spectacular show around the 3.4-mile circuit.
Sunday’s second contest saw Kyle Marcelli take the start from pole position in the No. 80 Racers Edge Motorsports Acura NSX GT3, ahead of European star Maxi Buhk in the No. 71 P1 Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3.
However, with both of the front-row starters competing in the Pro-Am class, the early favorite was the R. Ferri Ferrari, driven by Vilander and Molina, which took the start from fourth. K-PAX, meanwhile, faced a more challenging second outing, with both Bentley Continental GT3s starting down the order.
The leading positions remained stable at the start, but Vilander was in a hurry to move to the front. The Finnish ace made quick work of Buhk for second spot and then homed in on the rear of Marcelli’s leading Acura. The Finn then displayed his years of experience by passing Marcelli in style after going wheel-to-wheel for several corners.
Vilander edged away at the head of the field, while Buhk moved into second overall shortly after the half-hour mark by overhauling Pro-Am rival Marcelli. Further back the K-PAX squad’s perfect weekend appeared to be faltering, with neither car able to break into the top five during the opening stint.
The R. Ferri Ferrari changed hands at half-distance in the 90-minute race as Vilander handed over to Molina. With the rapid Spaniard at the wheel, the #61 machine looked set to complete a comfortable victory, but as is so often the case in GT3 competition drama was just around the corner.
With less than 20 minutes remaining, a full-course yellow period was called for two separate on-track incidents. Having led by a healthy margin of more than 20 seconds, Molina suddenly faced a high-pressure dash to the flag.
Filling his mirrors as the restart loomed was none other than the No. 9 K-PAX Bentley, driven at this stage by Soucek, which had leapt to third following the mid-race pit stops and then taken second shortly before the full-course yellow.
As racing resumed Soucek judged the getaway best, scything past Molina and into the lead on the run to turn one. It looked as though the Bentley had done enough, but Molina fought back and was able to muscle his Ferrari into first once more.
It would prove to be a decisive counterpunch from the R. Ferri driver, as his fellow countryman was unable to mount another attack. The Ferrari crossed the line to secure a deserved win, while Soucek and crewmate Parente could be satisfied with a stellar comeback drive and a second podium from as many races.
“In the end it was a good weekend for us,” said Molina. “We didn’t do any pre-season testing so we’ve always been catching up. Starting the championship with a win is really important and I have to be thankful to R. Ferri Motorsport and Ferrari. To drive with Toni again this year will be great fun and we hope to have a good season.”
The No. 58 Wright Motorsports Porsche also secured another top-three finish in third, with Scott Hargrove and then Patrick Long once again delivering polished performances in their 911.
Having taken victory on Saturday, the No. 3 K-PAX Bentley endured a difficult start to the race as a penalty for contact sent Maxime Soulet to the rear of the field, but a strong recovery brought the new-spec Continental back to fourth at the checkered flag.
Pro-Am victory went to the No. 80 Acura as Martin Barkey made good on Marcelli’s early work, finishing less than three seconds clear of the similar machine fielded by Gradient Racing. Am Cup honors once again went to Caesar Bacarella and Martin Fuentes, who earned a class sweep at COTA in their Ferrari.