Ortmann Secures Victory at Road America in Thrilling GT4 America Race
Road America, WI – Mike David Ortmann clinched a remarkable victory in the Pirelli GT4 America race, navigating the #4 JMF Motorsports Aston Martin Vantage GT4 to the top spot following a tumultuous outing on Saturday. After starting from the tenth position due to the withdrawal of co-driver Braydon Arthur, Ortmann’s skillful racecraft allowed him to steer clear of a significant collision that involved multiple competitors.
The race’s pivotal moment occurred early, when contact between teammate Jesse Webb’s #3 JMF Aston Martin and Alex Ellis’s #77 VPX Motorsport Porsche at turn five resulted in a three-car pile-up, also involving Luca Mars from van der Steur Racing. Ortmann deftly avoided the wreckage as a Full Course Yellow was deployed shortly after.
“This win feels fantastic,” Ortmann stated post-race. “It’s a testament to the team’s hard work and preparation after our switch to Aston Martin this year.”
The race concluded under yellow, leading to JMF Motorsports’ first victory since transitioning to the Aston Martin platform for its GT4 program. Finishing in second place was the #97 Random Vandals Racing BMW M4 GT4 EVO, driven by Kevin Boehm and Kenton Koch, who had dropped to fifth after a late-race encounter with Ellis.
In a strong performance, the #7 ACI Motorsports Porsche 718 GT4 RS Clubsport of Curt Swearingin and Riley Dickinson surged from 19th to take third overall, also winning the Pro-Am class. The top five was rounded out by the #71 Marco Polo Motorsports Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2 and the #26 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin, driven by Hannah Greenemeier and Hannah Grisham.
The race was marked by strategic challenges, particularly during pit stops. The #68 RAFA Racing Team Toyota initially led but suffered setbacks due to a critical miscommunication during the mid-race pit window, ultimately leading to a drop in position.
Subsequent incidents, including a crash involving Marc Miller’s #37 Dome Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT4, brought out another Safety Car, further complicating the race for multiple contenders.
In the Am class, Rigid Speed Company’s Lucas and Joseph Catania emerged victorious, finishing 11th overall. The duo outpaced Michael and Alex Garcia in the #07 Skip Barber Racing Aston Martin, with the #72 RAFA Racing Toyota securing the final spot on the podium.
GT4 America will continue with a triple-header event at Barber Motorsports Park from September 5-7, including a make-up race for the postponed event due to severe weather conditions.
Race Results Highlights:
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4 JMF Motorsports Aston Martin Vantage GT4 – Mike David Ortmann
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97 Random Vandals Racing BMW M4 GT4 EVO – Kevin Boehm/Kenton Koch
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7 ACI Motorsports Porsche 718 GT4 RS Clubsport – Curt Swearingin/Riley Dickinson
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71 Marco Polo Motorsports Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2 – Mads Siljehaug/Nicolai Elghanayan
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26 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin – Hannah Greenemeier/Hannah Grisham
Race officials noted the competitive and dynamic nature of the event, affirming the importance of strategic execution and driver skill under pressure. The championship continues with heightened anticipation as teams prepare for the upcoming weekend at Barber.
