2024 Michelin GT Challenge at VIR

The 2024 Michelin GT Challenge at VIR was a sports car race held at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia, on August 25, 2024. It was the ninth round of the 2024 IMSA SportsCar Championship.

Background

Preview

International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) president John Doonan confirmed the race was part of the 2024 IMSA SportsCar Championship (IMSA SCC) in August 2023.[1] It was the eleventh consecutive year the IMSA SCC hosted a race at Virginia International Raceway. The 2024 Michelin GT Challenge at VIR was the ninth of eleven scheduled sports car races of 2024 by IMSA.[2] The race was held at the seventeen-turn 3.270 mi (5.263 km) Virginia International Raceway on August 25, 2024.[2]

Balance of performance

Ahead of the event, IMSA published a bulletin regarding the latest balance of performance (BoP) changes in the GTD Pro and GTD classes.[3] The Acura was given a 1-liter increase in fuel capacity to accommodate the 11.5 horsepower gained across all power levels. Additionally, the Lamborghini saw an increase in weight of 15 kilograms. This was countered by an increase of 5.3 horsepower across all power levels, and a 2-liter fuel capacity increase. Finally, the Ferrari saw an increase of 10 kilograms in weight, with no adjustments to the power level.[3]

Standings before the race

Preceding the event, Laurin Heinrich led the GTD Pro Drivers' Championship with 2256 points, 76 points ahead of second-placed Ross Gunn. Ben Barnicoat and Jack Hawksworth sat in third place, a further 97 points behind.[4] The GTD Drivers' Championship was led by Philip Ellis and Russell Ward with 2396 points. They had lead of 268 points over second-placed Robby Foley and Patrick Gallagher. Parker Thompson sat in third, 526 points behind Ellis and Ward.[4] The Manufacturers' Championships were led by Porsche and Mercedes-AMG, respectively, whilst AO Racing and Winward Racing led the Teams' Championships.[4]

Entry list

Main article: 2024 IMSA SportsCar Championship § Entries

The entry list was revealed on August 14, 2024, and featured 23 entries: 9 entries in GTD Pro, and 14 entries in GTD.[5] Klaus Bachler replaced Julien Andlauer in the No. 77 AO Racing Porsche, to race alongside Laurin Heinrich. Furthermore, Kyle Marcelli re-joined Danny Formal in the No. 45 Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Lamborghini, after missing the previous round due to an arm-related injury.[6] Both the No. 023 Triarsi Competizione and No. 35 Conquest Racing Ferraris did not appear at the start after one-off appearances at Road America.[7]

No. Entrant Car Driver 1 Driver 2
GTD Pro (GT Daytona Pro) (9 entries)
1 Paul Miller Racing BMW M4 GT3 Bryan Sellers Madison Snow
3 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R Antonio García Alexander Sims
4 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R Nicky Catsburg Tommy Milner
9 Pfaff Motorsports McLaren 720S GT3 Evo Oliver Jarvis Marvin Kirchhöfer
14 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 Ben Barnicoat Jack Hawksworth
23 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 Evo Ross Gunn Alex Riberas
64 Ford Multimatic Motorsports Ford Mustang GT3 Mike Rockenfeller Harry Tincknell
65 Ford Multimatic Motorsports Ford Mustang GT3 Joey Hand Dirk Müller
77 AO Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) Klaus Bachler Laurin Heinrich
GTD (GT Daytona) (14 entries)
12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 Frankie Montecalvo Parker Thompson
13 AWA Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R Matt Bell Orey Fidani
27 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 Evo Roman De Angelis Zacharie Robichon
32 Korthoff/Preston Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo Mikaël Grenier Kenton Koch
34 Conquest Racing Ferrari 296 GT3 Albert Costa Manny Franco
45 Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo 2 Danny Formal Kyle Marcelli
55 Proton Competition Ford Mustang GT3 Giammarco Levorato Corey Lewis
57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo Philip Ellis Russell Ward
66 Gradient Racing Acura NSX GT3 Evo22 Stevan McAleer Sheena Monk
70 Inception Racing McLaren 720S GT3 Evo Brendan Iribe Frederik Schandorff
78 Forte Racing Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo 2 Misha Goikhberg Loris Spinelli
86 MDK Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) Anders Fjordbach Kerong Li
96 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT3 Robby Foley Patrick Gallagher
120 Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) Adam Adelson Elliott Skeer
Source:[5][6][7]

Practice

There were two practice sessions preceding the start of the race on Sunday, one on Friday afternoon and one on Saturday morning. The first session on Friday afternoon lasted 90 minutes while the second session on Saturday morning lasted 105 minutes.[8]

Qualifying

Saturday's afternoon qualifying session lasted 15 minutes, with one combined session for the GTD Pro and GTD cars. The rules dictated that all teams nominated a driver to qualify their cars.[8] The competitors' fastest lap times determined the starting order.[9]

Qualifying results

Pole positions in each class are indicated in bold and with ‡.

Pos. Class No. Entry Driver Time Gap Grid
1 GTD Pro 1 Paul Miller Racing Madison Snow 1:43.206 — 1‡
2 GTD Pro 3 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports Antonio García 1:43.346 +0.140 2
3 GTD Pro 64 Ford Multimatic Motorsports Harry Tincknell 1:43.630 +0.424 3
4 GTD Pro 65 Ford Multimatic Motorsports Joey Hand 1:43.729 +0.523 4
5 GTD Pro 4 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports Tommy Milner 1:43.745 +0.539 5
6 GTD 55 Proton Competition Giammarco Levorato 1:43.900 +0.694 6‡
7 GTD 32 Korthoff/Preston Motorsports Kenton Koch 1:44.106 +0.900 7
8 GTD 120 Wright Motorsports Elliott Skeer 1:44.118 +0.912 8
9 GTD Pro 14 Vasser Sullivan Jack Hawksworth 1:44.177 +0.971 9
10 GTD Pro 9 Pfaff Motorsports Oliver Jarvis 1:44.297 +1.091 10
11 GTD 27 Heart of Racing Team Zacharie Robichon 1:44.362 +1.156 11
12 GTD 96 Turner Motorsport Patrick Gallagher 1:44.392 +1.186 12
13 GTD Pro 77 AO Racing Klaus Bachler 1:44.417 +1.211 13
14 GTD Pro 23 Heart of Racing Team Alex Riberas 1:44.499 +1.293 14
15 GTD 45 Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Kyle Marcelli 1:44.504 +1.298 15
16 GTD 12 Vasser Sullivan Frankie Montecalvo 1:44.541 +1.335 16
17 GTD 78 Forte Racing Misha Goikhberg 1:44.793 +1.587 17
18 GTD 57 Winward Racing Russell Ward 1:44.855 +1.649 18
19 GTD 70 Inception Racing Brendan Iribe 1:45.020 +1.814 19
20 GTD 66 Gradient Racing Sheena Monk 1:45.069 +1.863 20
21 GTD 34 Conquest Racing Manny Franco 1:45.348 +2.142 21
22 GTD 86 MDK Motorsports Kerong Li 1:46.754 +3.548 22
23 GTD 13 AWA Orey Fidani 1:47.306 +4.100 23
Sources:[10][11]

Race

Post-race

The final results of GTD Pro meant Heinrich continued to lead the GTD Pro Drivers' Championship, but his advantage was reduced to 17 points by third-place finisher Gunn. Sellers and Snow jumped from fifth to third.[12] Ellis and Ward's third-place finish allowed them to extend their advantage over Foley and Gallagher in the GTD Drivers' Championship.[12] Porsche and Mercedes-AMG continued to top their respective Manufacturers' Championships while AO Racing, and Winward Racing kept their respective advantages in their of Teams' Championships with two rounds remaining.[12]

Race results

Class winners are in bold and ‡.

Pos Class No Team Drivers Chassis Laps Time/Retired
Engine
1 GTD Pro 1 Paul Miller Racing Bryan Sellers
Madison Snow 		BMW M4 GT3 86 2:40:49.112‡
BMW P58 3.0 L Turbo I6
2 GTD Pro 64 Ford Multimatic Motorsports Mike Rockenfeller
Harry Tincknell 		Ford Mustang GT3 86 +3.368
Ford Coyote 5.4 L V8
3 GTD Pro 23 Heart of Racing Team Ross Gunn
Alex Riberas 		Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 Evo 86 +4.199
Aston Martin M177 4.0 L Turbo V8
4 GTD Pro 65 Ford Multimatic Motorsports Joey Hand
Dirk Müller 		Ford Mustang GT3 86 +11.688
Ford Coyote 5.4 L V8
5 GTD 32 Korthoff/Preston Motorsports Mikaël Grenier
Kenton Koch 		Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo 86 +16.103‡
Mercedes-AMG M159 6.2 L V8
6 GTD Pro 9 Pfaff Motorsports Oliver Jarvis
Marvin Kirchhöfer 		McLaren 720S GT3 Evo 86 +16.404
McLaren M840T 4.0 L Turbo V8
7 GTD Pro 14 Vasser Sullivan Ben Barnicoat
Jack Hawksworth 		Lexus RC F GT3 86 +18.620
Toyota 2UR-GSE 5.0 L V8
8 GTD 78 Forte Racing Misha Goikhberg
Loris Spinelli 		Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo 2 86 +19.086
Lamborghini DGF 5.2 L V10
9 GTD Pro 77 AO Racing Klaus Bachler
Laurin Heinrich 		Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) 86 +19.754
Porsche M97/80 4.2 L Flat-6
10 GTD 57 Winward Racing Philip Ellis
Russell Ward 		Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo 86 +20.017
Mercedes-AMG M159 6.2 L V8
11 GTD 96 Turner Motorsport Robby Foley
Patrick Gallagher 		BMW M4 GT3 86 +20.311
BMW P58 3.0 L Turbo I6
12 GTD Pro 4 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports Nicky Catsburg
Tommy Milner 		Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R 86 +22.410
Chevrolet LT6 5.5 L V8
13 GTD 34 Conquest Racing Albert Costa
Manny Franco 		Ferrari 296 GT3 86 +24.110
Ferrari F163 3.0 L Turbo V6
14 GTD 13 AWA Matt Bell
Orey Fidani 		Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R 86 +24.433
Chevrolet LT6 5.5 L V8
15 GTD 55 Proton Competition Giammarco Levorato
Corey Lewis 		Ford Mustang GT3 86 +27.346
Ford Coyote 5.4 L V8
16 GTD 120 Wright Motorsports Adam Adelson
Elliott Skeer 		Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) 86 +28.220
Porsche M97/80 4.2 L Flat-6
17 GTD 12 Vasser Sullivan Frankie Montecalvo
Parker Thompson 		Lexus RC F GT3 86 +57.555
Toyota 2UR-GSE 5.0 L V8
18 GTD 86 MDK Motorsports Anders Fjordbach
Kerong Li 		Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) 85 +1 Lap
Porsche M97/80 4.2 L Flat-6
19 GTD 45 Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Danny Formal
Kyle Marcelli 		Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo 2 85 +1 Lap
Lamborghini DGF 5.2 L V10
20 GTD 66 Gradient Racing Stevan McAleer
Sheena Monk 		Acura NSX GT3 Evo22 72 +14 Laps
Acura JNC1 3.5 L Turbo V6
21
DNF 		GTD 70 Inception Racing Brendan Iribe
Frederik Schandorff 		McLaren 720S GT3 Evo 68 Engine
McLaren M840T 4.0 L Turbo V8
22 GTD 27 Heart of Racing Team Roman De Angelis
Zacharie Robichon 		Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 Evo 86 +17.000[R 1]
Aston Martin M177 4.0 L Turbo V8
23 GTD Pro 3 Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports Antonio García
Alexander Sims 		Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R 57 +29 Laps
Chevrolet LT6 5.5 L V8
Source:[14]
  1. ^ The No. 27 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin was moved to the back of the GTD class since non-homologated parts were used during the event. It originally finished 7th overall, and 2nd in class.[13]

Standings after the race

  • Note: Only the top five positions are included for all sets of standings.
  • Note: Only the top five positions are included for all sets of standings.
  • Note: Only the top five positions are included for all sets of standings.

References

  1. ^ Bradley, Charles (August 4, 2023). "IMSA reveals 2024 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship calendar". Motorsport.com. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "2024 IMSA Schedules Revealed at Road America". imsa.com. August 4, 2023. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Dagys, John (August 14, 2024). "Acura NSX GT3 Evo22 Gets Power Increase for VIR". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "00_Championship Points - Official.pdf" (PDF). imsa.results.alkamelcloud.com. Alkamel Systems. August 7, 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 10, 2024. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Michelin GT Challenge at VIR – Pre-Event Entry List" (PDF). imsa.com. IMSA. August 14, 2024. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Dagys, John (August 14, 2024). "23 Entries for Michelin GT Challenge at VIR". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  7. ^ a b O'Connell, RJ (August 14, 2024). "23 Cars Entered For IMSA VIR GT Challenge". Dailysportscar. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  8. ^ a b "2024 IMSA Official Schedule and SR VIR REV 081524 V1" (PDF). imsa.results.alkamelcloud.com. Alkamel Systems. August 15, 2024. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  9. ^ "2024 IMSA Sporting Regulations and Series Supplementary Regulations" (PDF). imsa.com. International Motor Sports Association. November 1, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  10. ^ "03_Results_Qualifying.PDF" (PDF). imsa.results.alkamelcloud.com. Alkamel Systems. August 24, 2024. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  11. ^ "01_Grid_Race_Official.PDF" (PDF). imsa.results.alkamelcloud.com. Alkamel Systems. August 25, 2024. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "00_Championship Points - Official.pdf" (PDF). imsa.results.alkamelcloud.com. Alkamel Systems. September 9, 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 9, 2024. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  13. ^ Euwema, Davey (September 9, 2024). "Heart of Racing Stripped of VIR GTD Podium". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  14. ^ "03_Results_Race_Official.PDF" (PDF). imsa.results.alkamelcloud.com. Alkamel Systems. September 9, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.


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