2023 Michelin GT Challenge at VIR

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Track map of VIR Virginia International Raceway - Full Course.svg
Track map of VIR

The 2023 Michelin GT Challenge at VIR was a sports car race sanctioned by the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). The Race was held at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia on August 27, 2023. The event was the ninth round of the 2023 IMSA SportsCar Championship, and the sixth round of the WeatherTech Sprint Cup.

Contents

Background

Virginia International Raceway, where the race was held. American Le Mans Series Oak Tree Grand Prix at VIR October 2013 (10295564514).jpg
Virginia International Raceway, where the race was held.

International Motor Sports Association's (IMSA) president John Doonan confirmed the race was part of the schedule for the 2023 IMSA SportsCar Championship (IMSA SCC) in August 2022. [1] It was the tenth consecutive year the event will be held as part of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The 2023 Michelin GT Challenge at VIR was the ninth of eleven scheduled sports car races of 2023 by IMSA, and it was the sixth round held as part of the WeatherTech Sprint Cup. [2] The race was held at the seventeen-turn 3.270 mi (5.263 km) Virginia International Raceway on August 27, 2023. [3] As in previous years, it will be the second of two GT-only rounds of the IMSA SportsCar Championship, in which only the GTD Pro and GTD classes will compete. [4]

IMSA released two separate technical bulletins regarding the Balance of Performance for the event. The first one was released on August 16, 2023. In this bulletin, the Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 received a 12-horsepower decrease, as well as a four-liter fuel capacity reduction. [5] The second technical bulletin was released on August 18, 2023. In this bulletin, the Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo received a 15 kilogram weight increase, as well as a 0.5 mm larger air restrictor and a one-liter fuel capacity increase. The Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) received a 10 kilogram weight increase, 2 mm larger air restrictor, and an increase in fuel capacity of one liter. [6]

Before the race, Ben Barnicoat and Jack Hawksworth led the GTD Pro Drivers' Championship with 2810 points, ahead of Antonio García and Jordan Taylor in second with 2641 points, and Jules Gounon and Daniel Juncadella in third. [7] In GTD, the Drivers' Championship was led by Bryan Sellers and Madison Snow with 2611 points, ahead of Roman De Angelis and Marco Sørensen with 2406 points. [7] Lexus and BMW were leading their respective Manufacturers' Championships, while Vasser Sullivan Racing and Paul Miller Racing each led their own Teams' Championships. [7]

Entries

A total of 19 cars took part in the event split across two classes. 5 cars are entered in GTD Pro and 14 in GTD. [8] Andretti Autosport skipped the event. [9]

Practice and qualifying

There were two practice sessions preceding the race start on Sunday, one on Friday afternoon and one on Saturday morning. The first session on Friday afternoon ran for 90 minutes while the second session on Saturday morning ran for 105 minutes. [10]

In the first session, Ben Barnicoat's No. 14 Lexus lapped quickest at 1 minute, 45.201 seconds. Patrick Pilet's No. 9 Pfaff Porsche was second-fastest. Antonio García was third in Corvette's No. 3 car. [11] GTD was led by Patrick Gallagher in Turner Motorsport's No. 96 car with a 1:45.234 lap, 0.160 seconds ahead of Aaron Telitz in VSR's No. 12 Lexus. Winward's Philip Ellis was third. Frederik Schandorff's No. 70 McLaren, along with Bryan Sellers' No. 1 Paul Miller BMW were fourth and fifth. [12] The No. 79 WeatherTech Racing Mercedes of Daniel Juncadella caught fire in the pitlane in the closing minutes. [12]

Juncadella led the final session with a lap of 1 minute, 44.539 seconds. Hawksworth was 0.030 seconds behind in second, with the No. 3 Corvette of García in third. [13] Snow led GTD in Paul Miller's No. 1 BMW, 0.069 seconds ahead of Gallagher in Turner Motorsport's No. 96 BMW. Grenier was third in the No. 32 Korthoff Mercedes-AMG. Ward placed the No. 57 Winward Mercedes-AMG in fourth. [14]

Saturday’s afternoon qualifying was broken into one sessions for the GTD Pro and GTD classes, which lasted for 15 minutes. [10] The rules dictated that all teams nominated a driver to qualify their cars. The competitors' fastest lap times determined the starting order. [15]

Jack Hawksworth for VSR took his third pole position of the season, and the tenth of his career, [16] with a time of 1 minute, 44.780 seconds. [17] He was joined on the grid's front row by Daniel Juncadella whose best lap in the No. 79 WeatherTech Mercedes-AMG was 0.096 seconds slower, and Antonio García drove the No. 3 Corvette to third. [17] The Pffaf Motorsports Porsche and the No. 23 Heart Aston Martin rounded out the GTD Pro qualifiers. [16] In GTD, snow took his second pole position of the season, and the eleventh of his career with a lap of 1 minute and 45.225 seconds. [18] [17] He was joined by Telitz's No. 12 Lexus on grid's the front row with his best lap being 0.153 second slower, and Loris Spinelli drove the No. 78 Forte Racing Lamborghini to third place. [16] Following in fourth was Skeen's No. 32 Korthoff Mercedes-AMG ,with Gallagher's slower No. 96 Turner BMW in fifth. [16]

Qualifying results

Pole positions in each class are indicated in bold and by .

Pos.ClassNo.TeamDriverTimeGapGrid
1GTD Pro14 Flag of the United States.svg Vasser Sullivan Racing Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jack Hawksworth 1:44.780_1
2GTD Pro79 Flag of the United States.svg WeatherTech Racing Flag of Spain.svg Daniel Juncadella 1:44.876+0.0962
3GTD Pro3 Flag of the United States.svg Corvette Racing Flag of Spain.svg Antonio García 1:45.133+0.3533
4GTD1 Flag of the United States.svg Paul Miller Racing Flag of the United States.svg Madison Snow 1:45.225+0.4454
5GTD12 Flag of the United States.svg Vasser Sullivan Racing Flag of the United States.svg Aaron Telitz 1:45.378+0.5985
6GTD78 Flag of the United States.svg Forte Racing powered by US RaceTronics Flag of Italy.svg Loris Spinelli 1:45.416+0.6366
7GTD32 Flag of the United States.svg Team Korthoff Motorsports Flag of the United States.svg Mike Skeen 1:45.447+0.6677
8GTD96 Flag of the United States.svg Turner Motorsport Flag of the United States.svg Patrick Gallagher 1:45.913+1.1338
9GTD27 Flag of the United States.svg Heart of Racing Team Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Roman De Angelis 1:45.918+1.1389
10GTD Pro9 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Pfaff Motorsports Flag of France.svg Patrick Pilet 1:45.974+1.19410
11GTD Pro23 Flag of the United States.svg Heart of Racing Team Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ross Gunn 1:45.977+1.19711
12GTD70 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Inception Racing Flag of the United States.svg Brendan Iribe 1:46.098+1.31812
13GTD57 Flag of the United States.svg Winward Racing Flag of the United States.svg Russell Ward 1:46.271+1.49113
14GTD97 Flag of the United States.svg Turner Motorsport Flag of the United States.svg Chandler Hull1:46.919+2.13914
15GTD66 Flag of the United States.svg Gradient Racing Flag of the United States.svg Sheena Monk1:47.504+2.72415
16GTD80 Flag of the United States.svg AO Racing Team Flag of the United States.svg P.J. Hyett 1:47.544+2.76416
17GTD91 Flag of the United States.svg Kelly-Moss with Riley Flag of the United States.svg Alan Metni 1:47.635+2.85517
18GTD77 Flag of the United States.svg Wright Motorsports Flag of the United States.svg Alan Brynjolfsson1:48.047+3.26718
19GTD92 Flag of the United States.svg Kelly-Moss with Riley Flag of the United States.svg David Brule1:49.230+4.45019
Sources: [19] [20]

Warm up

A 20-minute morning warm-up session was held on the morning of August 27. [10] Antonio García led GTD Pro with a lap time of 1:46.295, 0.055 seconds ahead of Jules Gounon. Frederik Schandorff set the fastest time amongst all GTD cars. [21]

Race

Post-race

The result kept Barnicoat and Hawksworth atop the GTD Pro Drivers' Championship. Bachler and Pilet advanced from fourth to third while Gounon and Juncadella dropped from third to fourth. [22] With 2996 points, Sellers and Snow's victory allowed them to increase their advantage over De Angelis and Sørensen in the GTD Drivers' Championship. Foley and Gallagher advanced from seventh to fifth while Iribe and Schandorff dropped from third to fourth. [22] Lexus and BMW continued to top their respective Manufacturers' Championships, while Vasser Sullivan Racing, and Paul Miller Racing kept their respective advantages in their respective of Teams' Championships with two rounds remaining in the season. [22]

Race Result

Class winners are in bold and .

PosClassNoTeamDriversChassisLapsTime/Retired
Engine
1GTD Pro3 Flag of the United States.svg Corvette Racing Flag of Spain.svg Antonio García
Flag of the United States.svg Jordan Taylor
Chevrolet Corvette C8.R GTD 812:41:28.719
Chevrolet 5.5 L V8
2GTD Pro14 Flag of the United States.svg Vasser Sullivan Racing Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ben Barnicoat
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jack Hawksworth
Lexus RC F GT3 81+2.068
Toyota 2UR 5.0 L V8
3GTD1 Flag of the United States.svg Paul Miller Racing Flag of the United States.svg Bryan Sellers
Flag of the United States.svg Madison Snow
BMW M4 GT3 81+17.261
BMW S58B30T0 3.0 L Turbo I6
4GTD96 Flag of the United States.svg Turner Motorsport Flag of the United States.svg Robby Foley
Flag of the United States.svg Patrick Gallagher
BMW M4 GT3 81+29.448
BMW S58B30T0 3.0 L Turbo I6
5GTD57 Flag of the United States.svg Winward Racing Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Philip Ellis
Flag of the United States.svg Russell Ward
Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo 81+33.223
Mercedes-AMG M159 6.2 L V8
6GTD97 Flag of the United States.svg Turner Motorsport Flag of the United States.svg Bill Auberlen
Flag of the United States.svg Chandler Hull
BMW M4 GT3 81+38.346
BMW S58B30T0 3.0 L Turbo I6
7GTD12 Flag of the United States.svg Vasser Sullivan Racing Flag of the United States.svg Frankie Montecalvo
Flag of the United States.svg Aaron Telitz
Lexus RC F GT3 81+43.073
Toyota 2UR 5.0 L V8
8GTD80 Flag of the United States.svg AO Racing Team Flag of the United States.svg P.J. Hyett
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Sebastian Priaulx
Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) 81+44.575
Porsche 4.2 L Flat-6
9GTD70 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Inception Racing Flag of the United States.svg Brendan Iribe
Flag of Denmark.svg Frederik Schandorff
McLaren 720S GT3 Evo 81+48.144
McLaren M840T 4.0 L Turbo V8
10GTD91 Flag of the United States.svg Kelly-Moss with Riley Flag of the Netherlands.svg Kay van Berlo
Flag of the United States.svg Alan Metni
Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) 81+50.818
Porsche 4.2 L Flat-6
11GTD77 Flag of the United States.svg Wright Motorsports Flag of the United States.svg Alan Brynjolfsson
Flag of the United States.svg Trent Hindman
Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) 81+58.899
Porsche 4.2 L Flat-6
12GTD Pro9 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Pfaff Motorsports Flag of Austria.svg Klaus Bachler
Flag of France.svg Patrick Pilet
Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) 81+1:03.366
Porsche 4.2 L Flat-6
13GTD66 Flag of the United States.svg Gradient Racing Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Katherine Legge
Flag of the United States.svg Sheena Monk
Acura NSX GT3 Evo22 81+1:05.530
Acura 3.5 L Turbo V6
14GTD32 Flag of the United States.svg Team Korthoff Motorsports Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Mikaël Grenier
Flag of the United States.svg Mike Skeen
Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo 81+1:15.565
Mercedes-AMG M159 6.2 L V8
15GTD Pro23 Flag of the United States.svg Heart of Racing Team Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ross Gunn
Flag of Spain.svg Alex Riberas
Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 81+1:19.046
Aston Martin 4.0 L Turbo V8
16GTD27 Flag of the United States.svg Heart of Racing Team Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Roman De Angelis
Flag of Denmark.svg Marco Sørensen
Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 81+1:38.403
Aston Martin 4.0 L Turbo V8
17GTD Pro79 Flag of the United States.svg WeatherTech Racing Flag of Andorra.svg Jules Gounon
Flag of Spain.svg Daniel Juncadella
Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo 79+2 Laps
Mercedes-AMG M159 6.2 L V8
18

DNF

GTD78 Flag of the United States.svg Forte Racing powered by US RaceTronics Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Misha Goikhberg
Flag of Italy.svg Loris Spinelli
Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo 2 28Did Not Finish
Lamborghini 5.2 L V10
19

DNF

GTD92 Flag of the United States.svg Kelly-Moss with Riley Flag of the United States.svg David Brule
Flag of the United States.svg Alec Udell
Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) 4Did Not Finish
Porsche 4.2 L Flat-6
Source: [23]

Standings after the race

References

  1. Malsher-Lopez, David (August 5, 2022). "IMSA reveals 2023 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship schedule". us.motorsport.com. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  2. Allaway, Phil (August 5, 2022). "IMSA Announces 2023 Schedules in State of the Sport Address". frontstretch.com. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  3. "IMSA Reveals Schedule For 2023 Season". dailysportscar.com. August 6, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  4. "IMSA Reveals Schedule For 2023 Season". dailysportscar.com. August 6, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  5. Dagys, John (August 16, 2023). "Aston Martin Hit With Power Reduction for VIR". sportscar365.com. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  6. Dagys, John (August 18, 2023). "IMSA Makes Second Round of BoP Changes for VIR". sportscar365.com. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 "00_Championship Points - Official.pdf" (PDF). results.imsa.com. August 6, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  8. Dagys, John (August 16, 2023). "20 Entries for VIR". sportscar365.com. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  9. "Barnicoat Quickest In VIR Practice 1". dailysportscar.com. August 25, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  10. 1 2 3 "2023 IMSA Official Schedule and SR VIR 082123 REV V1" (PDF). results.imsa.com/noticeBoard.php. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  11. Dagys, John (August 25, 2023). "Barnicoat Paces Opening Practice at VIR". sportscar365.com. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  12. 1 2 S. James, Richard (August 25, 2023). "Vasser Sullivan Lexus sets early pace in IMSA GT Challenge at VIR". racer.com. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  13. Dagys, John (August 26, 2023). "Juncadella Quickest in Second VIR Practice". sportscar365.com. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  14. S. James, Richard (August 26, 2023). "From fire to fast: Juncadella puts WeatherTech Mercedes on top in VIR practice 2". racer.com. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  15. "2023 IMSA SPORTING REGULATIONS and SERIES SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  16. 1 2 3 4 S. James, Richard (August 26, 2023). "Vasser Sullivan Lexus, Paul Miller BMW nab IMSA poles at VIR". racer.com. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  17. 1 2 3 Dagys, John (August 26, 2023). "Hawksworth Takes VIR Pole for Vasser Sullivan, Lexus". sportscar365.com. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  18. Allaway, Phil (August 26, 2023). "Jack Hawksworth Wins Michelin GT Challenge at VIR Pole". frontstretch.com. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  19. "03_Results_Qualifying.PDF" (PDF). results.imsa.com. August 26, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  20. "01_Grid_Race_Official_Amended.PDF" (PDF). results.imsa.com. August 27, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  21. Dagys, John (August 27, 2023). "Schandorff Quickest in VIR Warmup". sportscar365.com. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "00_Championship Points - Provisional.pdf" (PDF). results.imsa.com. August 27, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  23. "03_Results_Race_Unofficial.PDF" (PDF). results.imsa.com. August 27, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
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