Elkhart Lake Hosts Thrilling GT World Challenge Weekend
This weekend, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, welcomes the exhilarating GT World Challenge event, bringing together a diverse array of GT cars for a series of competitive races. The festivities kicked off with a vibrant parade from Road America to the town center, followed by a welcoming event at Siebkens Resort, setting the stage for a packed weekend of racing.
Crowd Engagement and Championship Insights
SRO America showcased entries from all six sanctioned championships, drawing a strong spectator turnout. Notably, the return of Road America for the 2026 season was confirmed, promising continued enthusiasm for sports car racing in the area.
New Tyre Debut: Pirelli DHG
This weekend marks the U.S. introduction of Pirelli’s P Zero DHG racing tyre, utilized by all GT3 and GT4 entrants. Having debuted in Europe earlier this year, the DHG tyre is engineered from FSC-certified rubber to enhance performance with quicker warm-up times and improved consistency over longer stints.
Driver Handicaps Impact Rothberg’s Strategy
Justin Rothberg, reigning champion in the GT World Challenge America Pro-Am category, faces significant penalties this weekend as he continues to race under derogated Bronze status. The #29 Turner Motorsport BMW will start with a five-second minimum pit time increase and a five-place grid penalty, adjusting Rothberg’s competitive strategy amidst a small GT America entry list.
McLaren Trophy America Round Approaches
The McLaren Trophy America returns with 15 entries, but two notable absences due to a recent accident at VIR. John Capestro-Dubets and George Lawrence sustained injuries; their teams are replacing their cars for this event. The championship sees RWE Motorsports aiming to continue their dominant form after sweeping both races at VIR.
Testing Highlights: Ellis Sets the Pace
Testing on Thursday revealed Philip Ellis of Regulator Racing clocking the fastest lap time with a 2:04.678 in the morning session, narrowly edging out teammates and competitors. In the afternoon session, Tom Sargent took the lead with a 2:05.105, showcasing strong competition among the front-runners.
Final Notes: Event Logistics and Withdrawals
The #92 LAB Motorsport Porsche has withdrawn following a significant crash at VIR, leaving the field for GT World Challenge America at 15 cars. The program anticipates further participation in upcoming events, including the Indianapolis 8 Hour in October.
Sponsorship and Engagement Initiatives
Crown Coins, an online casino service, has been announced as the title sponsor for this weekend’s event, set to launch a GT World Challenge-themed game and enhance fan engagement through various activations.
As the races approach, anticipation builds for competitive clashes on the track, promising a thrilling weekend for teams and fans alike.
