Race Report: IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta
Road Atlanta, GA – The first of two races in the IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge saw Valentino Catalano and Kiko Porto solidify their championship standings with strong performances at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
In the Le Mans Prototype 3 (P3) class, Catalano, driving the No. 30 Gebhardt Intralogistics Motorsports Duqueine D08, secured a second-place finish behind teammate Oscar Tunjo in the No. 31 Gebhardt Duqueine, thereby unofficially clinching the championship. Tunjo led from pole position to claim victory by 5.389 seconds, marking his second win of the year and first since Mid-Ohio in June.
“It’s really amazing to win here in Road Atlanta, especially as a German driver with a German team,” Catalano stated.
Unexpectedly finishing third, Lucas Fecury in the No. 80 Toney Driver Development Ligier JS P320, made a notable debut after missing prior events.
In the Grand Sport X (GSX) class, Porto drove the No. 8 RAFA Racing Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2 to an impressive victory, crossing the line 14.714 seconds ahead of second-place Steven Clemons. Porto’s win marked his eighth this season and cemented his championship status.
“It feels amazing… the amount of work the team put in this year has been incredible,” Porto remarked.
Jake Walker continued his dominance in Grand Touring Daytona X (GTDX) with his fifth consecutive victory, finishing 3.714 seconds ahead of Adam Adelson, who led the early stages of the race before a mistake at Turn 7 cost him the lead. Adelson will secure the GTDX title if he starts the next race.
Walker acknowledged the competitive nature of the race: “Adam and I had a great battle… He’s super quick.”
Bronze Cup victors included Brian Thienes (No. 77 Forte Racing Ligier JS P320 in P3), Samantha Tan (No. 38 ST Racing BMW M4 GT3 in GTDX), and Allen Patten (No. 21 Thunder Bunny Racing BMW M4 GT4 EVO in GSX). Thienes, Tan, and Ian Porter (No. 68 RAFA Racing Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2) have unofficially clinched their respective Bronze Cup titles.
The race featured three full-course cautions for various incidents but concluded with clean battles and strategic driving.
The second and final race of the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge season is set for Friday at 8:30 AM ET.
