Imagine living every boy’s dream, growing up to make a living playing video games or driving race cars.
For Ian Porter, he doesn’t have to imagine – beginning with the 2024 Porsche Sprint Challenge North America presented by Yokohama, the RAFA Racing by JDX driver has done both.
In Porter’s previous life, he was known by his gamer tag of Crimsix. Porter began his professional life playing Halo in Major League Gaming. When the series dropped Halo, Porter made the previously unheard-of switch to a new game, Call of Duty. That’s essentially the esports equivalent of moving from road racing to dirt ovals.
Porter and his respective teams captured World Championships in 2014, 2017, and 2020, with Porter earning World Championship MVP honors in the 2020 season and a 2015 X Games gold medal. His 38 tournament wins make him the winningest player in Call of Duty history.
But by 2022, Porter had been in the first-person shooter world for 13 years – since he was 15. He was ready for a new challenge. And like anyone who had already lived one dream, that started with an important question – what was he passionate about?
Porter had acquired a sports car for the street and had become especially fond of Porsches. He began attending track day events, where he met up with the team at RAFA Racing, which sent him down a new career path.
With the RAFA Racing Team and Grid Finder backing him, Porter began training for a season that required him to “touch grass” outside instead of on the computer. Porter underwent rigorous pre-season physical and mental training with RAFA Racing, dropping 30 pounds as he got into race shape.
The results were immediate. He swept the opening weekend at Sebring in the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport but fell in the second weekend at Barber to the more experienced Chloe Chambers.
He showed his progression later in the series when he topped Chambers and the rest of the field at Road America in her return, giving him nine wins in 12 races to open his career in Cayman Pro-Am and giving him a stronghold on the championship with just two races at Sonoma to go.
“The season has gone really well,” Porter said.
“Coming into it, I had no idea how fast I was. I’d never even timed any laps. Barber was a big hurdle. I got second, but during the test day my times were not fast. To come out and barely lose to Chloe and then win the next two at COTA was crazy.
“COTA was the turning point. Now, the expectation was to win every race. Considering where I was before the season started, it was a massive achievement.”
For good measure, he also won the class in the Porsche Endurance Challenge, driving solo against pros.
Even for Porter, who sets his expectations high, this season has exceeded his expectations. The work “IRL” (as the gamers say) and on the sim have merged to make him better at both.
“I think I’m significantly better than I was at the start of the season,” Porter said.
“There are a lot of things that I learned in real life that helped in the sim, and vice versa. I’m probably half a second quicker in general than I was a few months ago.”
Racing with RAFA Racing by JDX and now reunited with his old esports team, OpTic Gaming, he’s filling his time creating content online and improving daily.
None of that takes away from his ultimate goal, which is utilizing Porsche Sprint Challenge to launch a career in motorsports that takes him to the top.
“This Porsche Sprint Challenge season has been a significant step,” Porter says confidently.
“Its my first year racing and to come out and win a whole bunch of races, its setting me on the right path for what I want to do moving forward.”
Neither Porter nor his hundreds of thousands of social media followers have any doubts he’ll continue to succeed, both in his short-term goal to clinch the Porsche Sprint Challenge Cayman Pro-Am title and beyond.
Road America was once again a bustling site for the Porsche Sprint Challenge by Yokohama series, which brought together its North America and USA West championships for a joint event at Elkhart Lake. Additionally, the fan-favorite track played host to the second of four Porsche Endurance Challenge North America races in its inaugural season of competition.
Across the three championships – which totaled to seven races on the weekend – more than 100 Porsches took to the longest racetrack on the circuit at 4.048-miles, all battling for points as the 2024 season nears its end.
Emerging victorious in the second round of Porsche Endurance Challenge North America was Charlie Hayes in a solo driving effort aboard the No. 233 Porsche 992 GT3 Cup. The Charlie Hayes Racing squad elected to delay its mandatory pit stop as others planned the opposite, and Hayes cycled to the lead as a result.
He kept the lead and went on for the win, but faced fierce pressure from Nik Romano – whose Porsche he shared with Therese Lahlouh – which was on the same strategy. Fresh from her first Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama podium at Watkins Glen, Lahlouh again impressed to run at the front before handing over to here teammate.
Romano loomed large in Hayes’ mirrors in the closing laps, but could not prevail before the checkered flag. Elliott Skeer and Aaron Jeansonne finished third to make it a double podium for Charlie Hayes Racing.
The Cayman Pro-Am class struck trouble immediately at the drop of the green flag. A hard, multiple-car collision on the front stretch brought out a lengthy red flag. The hour-long race was delayed until just before the 30-minute mark – while the drivers thankfully were uninjured – several cars and the Road America pit wall were heavily damaged.
Despite the wreckage at the start, the remaining Cayman competitors settled in during the race and it was Ian Porter with Rafa Racing Team by JDX who also captured the win in a standalone effort. The duo of Michael Clark and Loek Hartog scored the runner-up position with Rob Walker in third.
Porsche Endurance Challenge North America – Race Results
Jared Thomas notched his eighth and ninth wins of 2024 in the Porsche 992 GT3 Cup class, and did so with fun “intersquad” flair particularly on Sunday. After sailing to the win on Saturday from pole position – and in a new racecar after an incident in the last round at Watkins Glen International – Thomas battled door-to-door for the lead with series newcomer Aaron Jeansonne (Charlie Hayes Racing).
Thomas, owner of JTR Motorsports Engineering, fields Jeannsonne’s entry in a separate single-make series and was sure to show off his Porsche skills to his protégé. Thomas made a switch back move on Jeansonne about 10 minutes into the sprint race, looking to his outside before diving to the inside, to make the winning pass.
In his Sprint Challenge debut, Jeansonne finished on the podium twice with third place on Saturday and second place on Sunday behind his team boss. He swapped podium spots with Paul Bocuse, who finished second in Race 1 and third in Race 2 for MDK Motorsports.
Scott Blind with Ruckus Racing made significant strides in his fight for the 992 Masters class championship with a win and runner-up finish. Blind entered Road America just 21 points behind Mark Boden, whose best finish this weekend was third. Blind’s second-place result on Saturday came behind part-timer Peter Atwater, while Kyle Washington and Rob Walker also took home podium trophies.
In the 991 GT3 Cup class, Dimitri Dimakos with Honey Badger Motorsports scored both victories, although the true championship battle was between podium finishers Niels Meissner and Tony Malito. The pair were separated by only 19 points ahead of Road America, and Meissner finished one position ahead of Malito in both rounds.
In the 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport class, Endurance Challenge winner Ian Porter led another weekend sweep, while the female trio of Loni Unser, Chloe Chambers and Caroline Candas spiritedly battled in both sprints for the remaining podium positions. All three brought momentum to Road America – Chambers coming off an F1 Academy win in Barcelona, Candas being the most recent class winner from Watkins Glen, and Unser finishing runner-up in the same race for her best finish of the season.
All three ladies ultimately scored a podium at Road America. Unser finished second in Race 1 and third in Race 2, Candas finished third in Race 1 and Chambers finished runner-up in Race 2.
The 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport Masters class lineup shuffled throughout both races at Road America, with Alain Scalzo of Scalzo Autosport and William Peluchiwski of Kellymoss earning the victories. The points were crucial for Scalzo, who continues to chase Michael Clark in the championship. Clark lucked into second place on Saturday following a crash ahead of him and finished fourth on Sunday to maintain a large points advantage going into the finale at Sonoma.
Patrick Dempsey, meanwhile, finished second for his first Sprint Challenge podium on Sunday. The trophy comes after hard- fought battles all weekend with fellow Cayman Masters drivers, even one that resulted in a last-lap incident taking away what could have been a double podium weekend.
Porsche Sprint Challenge North America GT3 Cup Results – Race 1 and Race 2
Porsche Sprint Challenge North America 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport Results – Race 1 and Race 2
Blake Mcdonald of BR Racing and Anthony Mcintosh of JTR Motorsports Engineering split Porsche 992 GT3 Cup Pro-Am class victories among the USA West competitors at Road America.
Mcintosh controlled Race 1 on Saturday before Mcdonald made his late move for the win, his sixth of the season, to expand his championship points lead.
However, in Race 2, Mcintosh returned the favor early into the bout en route to his victory on Sunday.
Casey Dennis powered to a podium finish in Race 1 and was poised for the same in Race 2, but a battle with John Dubets in the closing minutes saw both drivers run wide in Turn 1 and Dennis ultimately spin.
Dubets then pulled to pit lane just ahead of the checkered flag, giving way to teammate Patrick Mulcahy for third place and his first podium of 2024.
In the 992 Masters class, Kevin Woods swept his third consecutive weekend with BR Racing, even finishing top three overall on Sunday. The remaining podium positions mirrored each other in both races, with Kyle Washington finishing second and Laura Ely finishing third.
Michael Gaulke with Competition Motorsports also swept his Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport Masters class at Road America, doing so even after an unpinned hood forced him to start from the back of the pack in Race 2.
Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West Results – Race 1 and Race 2
One event remains for both Porsche Sprint Challenge North America and USA West by Yokohama, and it will be another joint event albeit this time on the home soil for USA West.
Both championships will head to Sonoma Raceway on September 27 – 29 for their season finales. Additionally, the track in Northern California will host the third of four Porsche Endurance Challenge North America events, with only Circuit of The Americas remaining on the single-make series’ 2024 calendar.
Race replays for all North American Porsche one-make series are available on the Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube channel.
An unpredictable weekend for Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama welcomed newcomers to the top step of the podium at Watkins Glen International, running the fifth of seven races for the series in 2024.
While Jared Thomas and JTR Motorsports Engineering took the honors in Saturday’s race at Watkins Glen, it was Sunday’s race that caught attention for a stunning conclusion in 992 GT3 Cup.
Conrad Geis found himself as the Race 2 winner for MDK Motorsports, albeit only after the top three contenders were collected in an incident during the closing minutes. Geis’ former teammate, Ashley Freiberg, led the majority of the race from pole position, but Thomas sought a three-wide move between her and lapped traffic that went awry.
The two went off track and collected third-place Paul Bocuse, elevating Geis to his first win, David Musial to second, and Therese Lahlouh to her first podium in the series.
Scott Blind swept the weekend in the 992 GT3 Cup Masters class, winning ahead of podium finishers Dave Musial Sr., Rob Walker and Joel Johnson across the two races.
In the 991 GT3 Cup class, Tony Malito gained ground on championship leader Nick Meissner following a win and runner-up finish in both races at Watkins Glen. While Meissner won on Saturday, he encountered an issue in the opening laps on Sunday that brought him to pit lane and promoted Malito to the win.
Caroline Candas scored her first victory on North American soil this weekend at Watkins Glen, winning on Saturday with Rafa Racing by JDX in the Cayman GT4 Clubsport Pro/Am class. Candas has been in the mix with Ian Porter and Nick Shaeffer throughout the season, and she took advantage of the two clashing early and removing themselves from contention while battling for the lead.
The Porsche Mobil 1 Female Driver Program member led a 1-2 finish for the ladies in Sprint Challenge on Saturday, as fellow program member Loni Unser finished second-in-class en route to her best result of the year. Porter, meanwhile, battled back for the victory on Sunday, while Candas followed up with a second-place finish. Nick Shaefferthen rounded out the podium in his final race with the series before embarking on a two-year mission trip.
In the Cayman Masters class, Alain Scalzo emerged with his best performance of the year and a weekend sweep at Watkins Glen. Scalzo capitalized on excellent qualifying efforts to finish both races ahead of championship leader, Michael Clark.
For Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama and its sister USA West series, Road America will host the next round as part of a joint event. The weekend also features the second of four Porsche Endurance Challenge North America races, with on-track activity taking place on August 9 – 11.
Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama Official Results:
Porsche GT3 Cup – Race 1 and Race 2
Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport – Race 1 and Race 2
Porsche Sprint Challenge race replays are available on the Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube channel.
For Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama, it was a tale of two races at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca during the series’ fourth doubleheader of 2024.
Laguna Seca marked the beginning of the second half of the season, and nearly 25 cars took part in the event weekend, which was headlined by the INDYCAR Series.
At the front of the pack, all eyes were on James Li for Racewerkz and Blake McDonald for BR Racing, competing for the overall 992 GT3 Cup Pro-Am victory. Entering the weekend, Li had scored back-to-back wins, yet McDonald still topped the class’s championship standings.
While Li started second in Race 1 behind his rival, he quickly took the lead on the first lap and drove to a dominant win. However, the rest of the competitors were tested not only by the circuit and its limits but also by each other.
Several instances involving contact sent drivers spinning, even in the closing minutes, with lapped traffic altering the Pro-Am podium. McDonald ran second throughout the race but, in trying to avoid a collision between slower cars in the Corkscrew, was narrowly overtaken by Casey Dennis for the position and finished third.
Drivers cleaned up their act on Sunday for Race 2, however, which allowed for an entertaining race between McDonald and Li. The latter stalked McDonald as the laps ticked by but pushed a bit too hard midway through the race, taking a spin in the Corkscrew and dropping him down the order. McDonald collected the win with Dennis in second place again, while James Sofronas rounded out the podium in third.
In the 992 GT3 Cup Masters category, Kevin Woods ran nearly uncontested en route to a weekend sweep. Woods’ dominance came as a result of excellent qualifying efforts. The BR Racing driver started third in Race 1, four cars ahead of his next closest competitor, and fourth in Race 2, with two cars between him and second place.
While Woods could not be reached, Jim Walsh put on one of his best driving performances by clinching runner-up on both Saturday and Sunday in the 992 GT3 Cup Masters class. Steve Miller finished third in Race 1, while Laura Ely recovered from contact and a subsequent spin on Saturday to complete Sunday’s podium.
Bad luck struck twice for Michael Gaulke in the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport Masters class, as he was poised for a double victory at Laguna Seca but walked away with two fourth-place finishes.
After crossing the finish line first in Race 1, Gaulke was penalized for incident responsibility with another competitor that revoked his win. And while leading Race 2, he pulled his Porsche off track on the final lap with an issue, handing the win to Richard Kinsey after the two had previously engaged in a great battle for the lead midway through the race.
Gaulke still keeps his lead in the championship standings, while Kinsey inched closer with two wins this weekend.
Also maintaining his championship lead was Eli Kogan, who scored both Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport Pro-Am victories at Laguna Seca with four rounds remaining.
Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama takes a summer break from the racetrack before returning to Road America on August 9 – 11 as part of a joint event with its Porsche Sprint Challenge North America counterpart. That series, however, has a trip to Watkins Glen International in upstate New York on July 5 – 7 before heading to Wisconsin.
Porsche Sprint Challenge race replays are available on the Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube Channel.
Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama Official Results: Race 1 and Race 2
Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama passed the halfway point of its 2024 championship season this weekend, running four races at the scenic VIRginia International Raceway.
While some drivers strengthened their control in class, others continued to find their stride and take turns in the spotlight with three events remaining.
While Jared Thomas exhibited another flawless performance at VIR, taking both 992 GT3 Cup Pro/Am and overall victories for JTR Motorsports Engineering, it was Ashley Freiberg who dominated the conversation on both Saturday and Sunday.
It was only last week that Freiberg struck a deal with Kellymoss that allowed her to continue campaigning this year in Sprint Challenge.
With her new team, Freiberg proved her worth at VIR by passing nearly 40 cars across the two races. She was forced to start from the back of the pack in Race 1 after a qualifying penalty, and in Race 2, she was knocked from fourth on the first lap to nearly last. However, she powered her Porsche to the front in both instances to clinch two third-place finishes in class and even third overall on Sunday to conclude the weekend.
Freiberg maintains third in the 992 GT3 Cup Pro/Am championship standings, which are led by Thomas over Paul Bocuse who finished runner-up in both races at VIR.
In the 992 GT3 Cup Masters class, Mark Boden also found the top step of the podium twice for Fall-Line Motorsports. Boden kept leader Joel Johnson in his sights on Saturday and made the race-winning pass with less than 10 minutes on the clock.
On Sunday, though, Boden faced less pressure as Johnson’s contact with Freiberg at the start forced him to retire his Porsche after Lap 1. Tim Kezman finished on the Masters podium in both events, while John Gilliland wrapped up the top-three on Sunday.
Lastly in the 991 GT3 Cup class, the fight was wide open as Charlie Peter – winner of the last three of four rounds – was not on the grid at VIR.
In search of his first victory since the opening rounds at Sebring International Raceway in March, Niels Meissner was eager to lead the charge and did so in both rounds. However, Meissner was only credited for the Race 2 victory after being penalized in Race 1 for early contact with eventual winner Tony Malito.
As he’s already done at two events in 2024, Ian Porter sailed to this third Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport weekend sweep with Rafa Racing by JDX.
Despite the dominating statistics, Porter’s reign continues to be challenged by Nick Shaeffer and Caroline Candas, both of whom finished second and third, respectively, in both races this weekend.
The pair kept Porter within their reach after mid-race restarts but resolved themselves to battling for the runner-up spot as Porter found his rhythm and drove off in clean air.
In Race 2, however, Shaeffer – who bids adieu to the series next month ahead of a two-year mission trip to Ecuador – was forced to defend versus Candas for numerous laps before the checkered flag, only coming out .330 seconds on top.
The Cayman GT4 Clubsport Masters class victories were split between Kelly Moss teammates William Peluchiwski on Saturday and Matt Joffe on Sunday.
Peluchiwski earned his first victory of the year after championship leader Michael Clark fell victim to a first-lap spin off track.
Meanwhile, it was Matt Joffe’s second win of 2024 as he and his crew continue a partial season effort for Joffe’s Porsche.
It was a double-podium weekend for both drivers while Clark recovered to finish runner-up on Sunday, and Jason Golan finished third place the day prior.
From East Coast to West Coast, Porsche Sprint Challenge wastes no time getting back on track.
The USA West series prepares for its next doubleheader of the year at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Northern California on June 21 – 23.
It’s another short turnaround for the North America series’ return to Watkins Glen International on July 5 – 7.
Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama Official Results:
Porsche GT3 Cup – Race 1 and Race 2
Porsche Motorsport North America and the Mobil 1 brand proudly unveiled their latest initiative, the Porsche Mobil 1 Female Driver Program North America, to foster the participation and growth of female racecar drivers throughout the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid North America.
The newly unveiled program aims to create a supportive environment that showcases and nurtures female talent by equipping them with the necessary resources to excel in the world of motorsports.
The Porsche Mobil 1 Female Driver Program North America embodies both Mobil 1 and Porsche’s unwavering commitment to promoting gender diversity in motorsports and paving the way for a more equitable future for all racing enthusiasts.
“At Mobil 1, it is core to our mission to share the love of driving. We’re dedicated to creating opportunities to elevate our passion and champion sponsorships that allow a more diverse and inclusive group of drivers,” shares Jennifer Durgin, North America Lubricants Marketing Manager, on behalf of Mobil 1.
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Porsche on this remarkable initiative to further empower female racing talent to thrive at every level, both on and off the track. Through this program, we’ll take steps towards providing resources and developing a more equal road ahead for female racers.”
The Porsche Mobil 1 Female Driver Program North America gives aspiring female drivers the opportunity to hone their skills and pursue their dreams of becoming professionals through a unique platform. Throughout the year, Porsche and the Mobil 1 brand will provide drivers in the program:
Participants in the program who will compete in the Porsche Carrera Cup North America this season include Sabre Cook and Madeline Stewart. For the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America, drivers include Paige Morales, Caroline Candas, Loni Unser, Ashley Freiberg and Therese Lahlouh.
This initiative has provided affiliated drivers with exposure and opportunities to work with brands like never before, including the trailblazing first recipient Sabre Cook, who has been racing a Porsche on-track and also representing Porsche in a number of marketing initiatives.
Chloe Chambers, who was part of the program in 2023, was selected by the Haas F1 team to compete in F1 Academy, a female-only single-seater racing championship that races at major Formula 1 races across the globe.
Both the Mobil 1 brand and Porsche will host an annual workshop this July, which will focus on two key areas of development – training and business skills. The training portion will have each of the drivers working with a specialized trainer that will help them focus on an exercise routine tailored to each driver’s performance. The workshop will also include expert presentations to provide special insights on diet and nutrition, the importance of sleep, mental preparation, and other key topics that promote optimal physical health for racecar drivers.
Additionally, expert speakers will provide presentations on media training, sponsorship, personal branding, etc. with the goal of providing valuable off-track training to secure high-profile opportunities.
“After launching the Porsche North America Female Driver Program last year, we have been thrilled with the rapid growth in the number of female drivers who are not only competing in championships, which are part of our young driver development pyramid, but also winning,” adds Volker Holzmeyer, President and CEO, Porsche Motorsport North America. “The team at Mobil 1 shares our goal of further encouraging young female drivers to take the next step in their motorsport careers. Together, we hope to provide these women with the support, tools, and education to help them really advance.”
Holzmeyer concludes, “Porsche and Mobil 1 have enjoyed a long-term partnership across many programs around the world, including the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup supporting Formula 1 events. Having Mobil 1 join us as the naming rights partner for the Female Driver Program will help Porsche in this important initiative.”
Racing fans can tune in throughout the summer as the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America continues its season at Virginia International Raceway from June 14-16, 2024, and Porsche Carrera Cup North America returns to the track at Watkins Glen International from June 20-22, 2024. For more information on the program, visit porschecarreracup.us/female-driver-program/.
Porsches and star power descended on Circuit of The Americas (COTA) this past weekend in Austin, Texas, as Porsche Sprint Challenge North America and USA West by Yokohama combined for their first joint event of 2024 and the inaugural Porsche Endurance Challenge North America championship got underway.
The likes of actor Patrick Dempsey, decorated racers such as Jan Magnussen, Porsche Carrera Cup North America points leader Loek Hartog and past Porsche championship winners such as Riley Dickinson and Zachary Vanier were just a handful of drivers eager to take part in the series’ biggest weekend to date.
Porsche single-make racing launched its first-ever endurance race in North America, featuring a one-hour race that competitors came out in droves to support.
The inaugural victory went to Paul Bocuse, 2023 Porsche Sprint Challenge North America Cayman class champion and current 992 GT3 Cup competitor, in the No. 271 MDK Motorsports Porsche 992 GT3 Cup, alongside former Porsche Carrera Cup North America multiple-race winner Trenton Estep.
After starting from pole position, the pair shuffled throughout the order in Sunday’s race. However, in the closing stages, Estep moved into the lead and on to victory.
Anthony Mcintosh and 2022 Carrera Cup champion Parker Thompson with JTR Motorsports Engineering finished second in the inaugural event, while the battle for third came down to the final turn. Therese Lahlouh and Darius Trinka were poised to fight to the checkered flag, but tangled while coming to the front stretch, and both cars missed the corner. Jan Magnussen was third across the line in the second MDK car but suffered a penalty for a pit-lane infringement – handing the final podium spot to the No. 233 Porsche of Charlie Hayes and Reinhold Krahn.
In Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport action, Loek Hartog and Michael Clark came home with the win in the No. 17 Kellymoss Porsche.
The pair finished ahead of Wright Motorsports’ Patrick Dempsey – back on track for the first time since 2015 – and longtime Porsche driver Patrick Long. The duo jumped to second after starting sixth, while Jason Golan and Alexandre Premat finished third to give Kellymoss two spots on the first-ever Endurance Challenge Cayman class podium.
Porsche Endurance Challenge North America – Race Results
Ashley Freiberg became a first-time winner in the 992 GT3 Cup class on Saturday at COTA, impressively besting the season’s front-runner, Jared Thomas, in the final five minutes. Despite leading the entire race, Thomas was chased down by Freiberg in the closing laps to pass in her No. 22 MDK Motorsports Porsche.
Sunday brought heartbreak, however, as Freiberg was unable to take the green flag and Thomas returned to his winning ways in the No. 296 Porsche for JTR Motorsports Engineering. Paul Bocuse converted his two pole positions into podium finishes – and nearly a win on Sunday if not for a race-ending caution while making a pass on Thomas on the final lap.
David Musial Jr. finished third in Race 2.
Joel Johnson took home a double victory at COTA in the 992 GT3 Cup Masters class, driving the No. 227 JDX Racing Porsche and keeping John Gilliland at bay for two runner-up finishes. Mark Boden and Scott Blind split the third-place finishes in Race 1 and Race 2, respectively.
As he’s done several times this season, Charlie Peter ran nearly uncontested on Saturday en route to the first 991 GT3 Cup win of the weekend for Team Phenix. On Sunday, though, Peter tangled with his class rival, Nick Meissner, forcing the two out of contention and handing over the win to Tony Malito with Fall-Line Motorsports.
Despite a crash in practice, Ian Porter went on to win both races in the Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport category. Porter wasn’t the most dominant Porsche, however, as Nick Shaeffer led the majority of the two races before experiencing late issues that resulted in retirements. Porter’s teammate, Caroline Candas, was there to bring home 1-2 finishes for the Rafa Racing Team by JDX in both rounds, while Loni Unser scored her season-best finish of third in Race 1, and Chris Hutter rounded out the Race 2 podium.
Unser’s Kellymoss teammate, Michael Clark, swept the Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport Masters races. He captured the win on Saturday with ease, but Sunday’s win was a battle of survival as the Masters leaders came together in a four-way battle, and Clark escaped unscathed.
Porsche Sprint Challenge North America GT3 Cup Results – Race 1 and Race 2
Porsche Sprint Challenge North America Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport Results – Race 1 and Race 2
After making his presence known at Utah Motorsports Campus in Rounds 3 and 4, James Li solidified his position as a top contender in the series this weekend at COTA. Li became the first winner in the 992 GT3 Cup class this year, aside from Blake Mcdonald, who started first in both races this weekend but eventually gave way to Li’s No. 255 RWE Porsche.
With clean air, Li took off from the rest of the field, leaving Mcdonald for two runner-up finishes and Casey Dennis and Luke French splitting third-place finishes.
In the 992 GT3 Cup Masters class, Kevin Woods scored both victories, but not without late pressure from Laura Ely in the final minutes of Race 1 ahead of Jim Walsh. Walsh held off Ely in Race 2 for the runner-up spot, while the latter had a late incident that prevented her from a double podium weekend and snuck Reinhold Krahn in for third on Sunday.
Michael Gaulke was the Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport victor on both Saturday and Sunday, driving the No. 99 Competition Motorsports Porsche.
Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West Results – Race 1 and Race 2
Porsche Sprint Challenge holds back-to-back weekends next month with the North American championship at VIRginia International Raceway on June 14 – 16 and the USA West championship at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on June 21 – 23. Porsche Endurance Challenge North America returns in more than two months’ time at Road America on August 11.
Porsche Sprint Challenge race replays are available on the Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube channel.
Speedway, IN |In the competitive and fast-paced world of motorsports, real-time data and fan engagement are crucial. For the 2024 season, the United States Auto Club (USAC) has teamed up with Griiip to leverage the GriiipLive app, a cutting-edge tool for in-race data analysis and fan interaction. GriiipLive app will provide data for both the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America and USA West in addition to the newly formatted Porsche Endurance Challenge North America. This partnership marks the second year that PSCs will utilize GriiipLive.
Transforming the Racing Experience
The collaboration between USAC, and Griiip aims to elevate the racing experience for fans and teams. Originally developed to enhance fan engagement, GriiipLive has proven invaluable tool for team managers, engineers, and strategists. The app helps teams make informed decisions that can significantly impact race outcomes by providing real-time automatic insights. Drivers benefit from an easy way to debrief their sessions, enabling them to fine-tune their strategies and improve their on-track performance.
“We are excited to continue our partnership with Griiip for the 2024 season,” said Randy Hembrey, USAC’s Director of Road Racing “The GriiipLive suite of applications not only adds significant value to the teams competing in our series, providing new insights in a simple, accessible, and easy-to-understand way, but has also become a critical tool with it’s robust real-time data analysis that is used by our officials and strategists in Race Control. This adds to our series value to our customers and improves the race experience for all.”
Enhancing Fan Engagement
GriiipLive is more than just a data tool; it’s a platform for immersive fan engagement. The app transforms how fans interact with the sport by offering real-time event tagging on the race map, multiple comparison charts and stats, and a soon-to-be-launched live polling mechanism allowing the fans to actively vote on different events that are happening or about to happen. These capabilities keep the audience connected and informed, allowing them to understand the race at a glimpse and engage with the action in a whole new way.
A New Era of Motorsport Technology
This partnership signifies a new era of technology in motorsports. By integrating GriiipLive into their racing operations, USAC sets a new standard for how teams and fans experience racing. The app’s advanced features provide a deeper understanding of the race, ensuring no detail goes unnoticed.
“I’m thrilled about extending our collaboration with USAC for the 2024 season,” said Tamir Plachinsky, Founder and CEO of Griiip. “Racing is our passion, and Griiip is on a mission to elevate the experience of every person involved. We’re proud to work with USAC and support their exciting races and activities”.
Looking Ahead
As USAC continues to innovate and enhance the motorsport experience, the collaboration with Griiip highlights their commitment to technological advancement and fan engagement. The 2024 season promises to bring even more excitement and innovation, setting a new benchmark for the future of motorsports.
Blake McDonald scored two wins this weekend in Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama, but not without feeling the heat from Casey Dennis.
Utah Motorsports Campus hosted the second round of 2024, which McDonald sought to sweep similar to the season opener at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch in March.
Despite starting first in both races with the No. 208 Porsche 992 GT3 Cup, McDonald had a late acceleration to the green flag on Saturday and chased Dennis back for the lead. It was quick redemption as he regained first place on the next lap and went on for the victory, but only by a few seconds over Dennis.
On Sunday, McDonald corrected his mistake from the day prior and led flag-to-flag following an excellent start. While Dennis cut into his lead towards the end of the race, McDonald withstood the pressure to sweep his second consecutive PSCUW event with BR Racing. Sam Parnagian completed the podium by finishing third in both races.
“I’d say we didn’t (make the same mistake twice), too, and I think we sorted out the issue,” said McDonald on Sunday. “Casey was crazy fast. I was worried from start to finish. I think he’s going to keep me real honest, and we’re going to have a ton of fun this season.”
In the 992 GT3 Cup Masters class, McDonald’s teammate, Kevin Woods, shone in Race 1 on Saturday. Woods’ team overcame gearbox issues early in the weekend and impressively started fourth after just two qualifying laps.
McDonald’s stutter at the start line inadvertently helped his teammate as the trailing line of cars was pushed back. And despite being five years away from a Porsche GT3 Cup racecar until this season, Woods was quick to jump ahead of the Masters field to score his second win of 2024.
On Sunday, however, it was Kyle Washington – coming back from fifth in the No. 232 GMG Racing Porsche – to clinch his first win of the year after two podiums at Spring Mountain.
In the Cayman GT4 Clubsport class, Eli Kogan continued his winning streak with victories on Saturday and Sunday, bringing his total to four on the season. In Cayman GT4 Clubsport Masters, Richard Kinsey became the third winner in the class on Saturday and doubled down for another victory on Sunday.
For the first time this year, Porsche Sprint Challenge North America and USA West by Yokohama will unite at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) on May 24 – 26, with a trio of races scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday.
However, for the first time in series history, competitors will tackle a 60-minute endurance race – the first of three this season – before concluding with a six-hour enduro at COTA again later this year. The races will feature a class for 911 GT3 Cup cars and another for 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsports in a new-for-2024 championship that has been named the Porsche Endurance Challenge North America.
Porsche Sprint Challenge race replays are available on the Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube Channel.
Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West by Yokohama Official Results: Race 1 and Race 2
Thomas, Chambers dominate Sprint Challenge in Barber
In a weekend full of constant battles, multiple yellow flags, and even a flipped racecar, Jared Thomas and Chloe Chambers secured two victories in the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama GT3 Cup and Cayman GT4 Clubsport classes, respectively.
Barber Motorsports Park hosted the second round of Sprint Challenge in support of the INDYCAR Series weekend. While drivers such as Chambers joined for a one-off event, series regulars vied to score crucial championship points early in the year.
Porsche GT3 Cup:
Jared Thomas put on a masterclass in Porsche 992 GT3 Cup for the second consecutive event by winning both rounds at Barber in the No. 296 JTR Motorsports Engineering Porsche.
Thomas built a margin of 22 seconds en route to his Saturday victory and was poised to do the same on Sunday. Race 2, however, went on to finish under caution after the No. 285 Porsche of Jake Pedersen was sent flipping during a late-race restart. The Porsche Carrera Cup North America regular quickly notified officials he was okay and walked away from the incident.
While Thomas powered to his victories, the battle raged behind him for the remaining podium positions. Paul Bocuse led the charge for MDK Motorsports, finishing third in Race 1 and second in Race 2, while his teammate Ashley Freiberg finished third in Race 2.
Two-time Porsche Carrera Cup North America Pro-am champion Efrin Castro – who joined Sprint Challenge for the weekend in support of the Children’s of Alabama organization – took home a podium position of his own, finishing runner-up in Race 1.
In the 992 GT3 Cup Masters class, Scott Blind steadily won on Saturday in the No. 245 Porsche while also finishing fifth overall among the Pro/Am contenders. However, in Race 2, Blind tangled with Saturday’s runner-up, Rob Walker, on the first lap, which opened the door for Joel Johnson to steal the victory on Sunday and similarly finish fifth on the overall charts.
In the 991 GT3 Cup class, Charlie Peter glided to a weekend sweep in the No. 166 Porsche, but not without pressure from Niels Meissner. Meissner meticulously worked his way through the field in both races and even looked to have a better chance of a challenge on Sunday before the late yellow flag. His No. 152 Porsche, however, was capped at second place in both rounds.
Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport:
Formula One Academy driver and 2023 Sprint Challenge North America competitor, Chloe Chambers, returned to the series at Barber to win the Cayman GT4 Clubsport category on both Saturday and Sunday.
While Chambers parachuted in this weekend to take the wins, all eyes were on Pro/Am championship leader Ian Porter, who charged from last on the grid of 26 cars in Race 1 to finish second by .411 seconds.
In Race 2, Porter used lapped traffic to close in on Chambers again in the final minutes. The No. 86 Porsche ran nose-to-tail behind Chambers, but was unable to pull door-to-door and finished a mere .229 seconds behind in second.
Porter’s Rafa Racing by JDX teammate, Caroline Candas, finished third in Race 1 after surviving a late-race, four-way battle for the podium. Nick Shaeffer, who was part of that fight but spun after contact, recovered to finish third on Sunday.
In the Cayman GT4 Clubsport Masters class, Michael Clark and Shaun McKaigue finished 1-2 in both contests, with Jason Golan and Jeffrey Majkrzak splitting the final spots on the podium.
In approximately one month, Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama heads to Texas for its third event of the season at Circuit of The Americas on May 24 – 26. The Texas weekend will also be the opening round of the new Porsche Endurance Challenge North America series.
Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West, splits the break with its second event of 2024 at Utah Motorsports Campus on May 10 – 12.
Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama Official Results:
Porsche GT3 Cup – Race 1 and Race 2
Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport – Race 1 and Race 2
Porsche Sprint Challenge race replays are available on the Porsche Motorsport North America YouTube channel.
| Round | event | date |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Sebring Int Raceway | Feb 28 - March 2, 2025 |
| Round 2 | Sonoma Raceway | APRIL 4 - 6, 2025 |
| Round 3 | Circuit of the Americas | MAY 16 - 18, 2025 |
| Round 4 | Virginia International Raceway | JULY 11 - 13, 2025 |
| Round 5 | Road America | AUGUST 8 -10, 2025 |
| Round 6 | Watkins Glen International | AUGUST 29 -31, 2025 |
| Round 7 | Road Atlanta | September 12 - 14, 2025 |
| Round | event | date |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Spring Mountain | MARCH 21 - 23, 2025 |
| Round 2 | Sonoma Raceway | APRIL 4 - 6, 2025 |
| Round 3 | Circuit of the Americas | MAY 16 - 18, 2025 |
| Round 4 | Utah Motorsports Campus | MAY 30 - JUNE 1, 2025 |
| Round 5 | Weathertech Raceway | JULY 25 - 27, 2025 |
| Round 6 | Road Atlanta | September 12 - 14, 2025 |
