2026 VIR Race Recap
The calendar might say Fall, but someone forgot to tell the meteorologists in Alton, Virgina this past weekend. It was HOT and humid, but the full field of International GT competitors were cool under pressure!
At the front of the field, it was the battle of horsepower with CHARLES WICHT #7 in his Bentley going up against JASON CRAVER #111 in the Lamborghini. Not to be outdone, REG WILLIAMS #008, Goldcrest Racing was on their heels (sometimes even in front) in his Porsche in the GT4.R category.
However, the story of the weekend was the incredible Stuttgart Cup entry which was a full two-thirds of the field! So we will start there! As usual in 2026, the Cayman 4 liter class was the largest. COLEMAN HALL #79, Charles Wicht Racing had a new livery and sponsor in HYTIV Racing.
The teenager dominated the Sprint races winning all three, however a well-timed full course caution in the Enduro gave those making driver changes an advantage allowing them to pit when all others dove into pit lane. JOE RIZZO #24, BGB Motorsports handed his car over to co-driver and veteran racer SPENCER PUMPELLY who took over the lead and gave the Enduro win to the duo, with Hall in second.
The CAY4.0 podium saw JEFF AFFLERBACH #10, Extreme Velocity Motorsports in second in Sprint 1, with teammate RYAN CAMP #9 in third. Camp warmed up the step, as he finished third in all three sprints. The most consistent racer besides Hall was his teammate at Charles Wicht Racing, ROBERT GEE #819 who took a pair of seconds in Sprints 2 and 3 and third in the Enduro.
International GT was happy to welcome a bundle of newcomers. They were spread over three categories but the largest group was in the CAY4.0 class. Debuting at VIR were BILLY JOHNSON #240, Goldcrest Motorsports, FRED SPICKLER#119, Extreme Velocity Motorsports, CHARLES FERRY #375, BGB Motorsports and J MARK SMITH #05, Matrix Motorsports.
In GT992 we welcomed CORY DEEDS #308 from 5.2 Motorsports out of Michigan and in GT4.0 KELLY GANJEI #313, another in the Charles Wicht Racing camp.
We also saw one of our largest fields this year in the CAY3.8 category. RICHARD WALKER #67 with Extreme Velocity Motorsports stood on the top step of the podium most often, winning Sprint 1, Sprint 3, and the enduro. His only second was in Sprint race 2. Pushing Walker the entire weekend was JASON ALEXANDER #29, Eksten Autoworks who finished runner up to Walker in all except Sprint race 2 which Alexander won. Rounding out the podium was RYAN SZYJAKOWSKI #109, Forty48 Competition, third in Sprint race 1. For the remainder of the weekend (Sprints 2, 3 and the Enduro), TORSTEN GROSS #19 with Matrix Motorsports and promoting his JUST HANDS FOUNDATION, finished third.
Moving to the Mission Foods GT3 Cup categories, we mentioned REG WILLIAMS! #008 who swept the GT4.R category but undoubtedly his most prized win of the weekend was the overall victory in Sunday’s enduro. Between a fuel issue with Williams (overnighted parts from CA) and repairs on Billy Johnson’s Cayman – the Goldcrest Motorsports crew seemed to worked non-stop but with outstanding results for Reg at his home track!
In GT992 BILL OLIVER #058, Matrix Motorsports posted a flawless record, winning all four races on the weekend and taking over the points championship lead for the first time this season!!
Bill was joined by co-driver BRUNO CARNEIRO for the enduro.
Oliver’s Matrix Motorsports teammate CLIFF CAYER #08 was second in Sprint races 1, 2 and the Enduro. Cayer debuted a fantastic livery on a new GT4.R car honoring his military roots and colleagues. Unfortunately, an on-track tussle sidelined the R car and he completed he weekend in his GT992 car. We’ve been promised the return of the military tribute car at COTA.
Mentioned earlier in the newcomers section, CORY DEEDS had us all taking notice with great results finishing second in Sprint 2 and third to Oliver and Cayer in all three other races. A fantastic debut with the series!
Our 2024 Mission Foods GT3 Cup Champion, TOMMY BALLESTER #189, Quirt Racing swept the GT4.0 category winning all four races on the weekend and moving into second in the current points standings, just two points behind Bill Oliver. BOB WISEN #27 followed Ballester home in second place for three of the four races. Without an unexpected battery issue in Sprint 2, he would have had a perfect record. However, this opened the door for newcomer (James) KELLY GANJEI #313 out of the CWR corral to take a second in Sprint race 2 and a pair of thirds in Sprints 1 and 3.
It was good to see CAREY GRANT #6, Grant Racing back in International GT competition, his third 2026 race where he debuted with the series at Mid Ohio. Carey swept the GT3.8 class wins and received a set of Pirelli tires from our IGT partner. We welcomed back CAMERON McINTRYE #8 who returned to International GT competition in a new-to-him, GT3.8 cup car finishing second in all four races on the weekend. It was great to have the Duke University professor back on the IGT grid.
We started and will wrap up with the GTX class. It was fantastic battles up front where we saw the return of JASON CRAVER #111 who calls VIR his home track and was untouchable in Sprints 1 and 3. Craver had his mirrors filled with CHARLES WICHT #7, leader of the CWR crew, who did not give the Lambo driver a moment’s rest. Wicht in his Bentley got the upper hand and won Sprint race 2.
You can tune into the International GT race coverage from VIR for free on the Racing America YouTube channel by clicking on the button below.
From Virginia we head to famed Laguna Seca Raceway in just two weeks.