Road America Race Recap
International GT made a break from tradition and moved from the original May date at Road America to July 7-9, sharing the event with Trans Am, Formula 1000/1600/2000 and PSSA. The move proved to be a good one with the largest field ever for International GT at Road America.
The start of sprint race 1 shows DAVID TUATY #68 TLM USA team boss leading the field, however, things take a big swing quickly, read on….
Light rain impacted the weekend but nothing to deter the competitors as a full field took to the 2.4 mile course with famed areas like the key hole, China beach and the carousel.
STEPHEN HAMMAN #72 TLM USA would work his way around David Tuaty in the Mission Foods GT3 Cup GT 4.I category and go on to take the overall win in all three races at Road America. This was David’s view for most of the weekend, finishing closely behind Stephen to get a trio of second place finishes overall and in the 4.I category. Although fierce competitors on track, Stephen and David remain great friends when the checkered flag drops. A bit further down the finish order but continuing the consistency within the 4 liter Improved class, MARK HUPFER #84 901 Shop completed the podium in third for all three races on the weekend.
We welcomed newcomer CRAIG CONWAY #79 to International GT competition in the Mission Foods GT3 Cup category. Conway took a pair of fourth place finishes in the sprint races. Also finishing just off the podium in the enduro was GEOFF ISRINGHAUSEN #89 Goldcrest Motorsports.
REG WILLIAMS #008 Goldcrest Motorsports returned to International GT competition after last seeing him at the season opener in Sebring. Reg won the Mission Foods GT3 Cup 4.R category sprint race 1. TADAS KARLINSKAS #313 debuted with International GT at Road America with a great introduction to the series. Tadas was third in sprint race 1 and went on to win sprint race 2 and the enduro.
JUAN GONZALEZ #81 Car Amigo joined IGT at one of his favorite North American tracks. Juan had a great race in sprint 2 finishing on the podium in third.
Series regular MARK MATHYS #77X is getting more familiar with his new GT4.R race car and had a great showing at Road America taking a pair of second place finishes in the sprint races.
TOM PANK #42 Ultra Performance struggled at the longest circuit on the IGT schedule finishing just off the podium in the sprint races but came back to take second place in the enduro.
Chris Green Photography
For a full gallery of photography from Road America, click on the button to link to series photographer Chris Green’s website.
The battle in the 4 liter category was as intense as usual. SCOTT BLIND #45 Ruckus Racing/Archangel Motorsports swept the category landing on the top step of the podium in all three races. Putting in the extra effort, Scott tested the boundaries of the pavement to grab the lead.
The 4 liter podium was a mix of fates for several drivers. LUKAS PANK #40 Ultra Performance
finished second in sprint race 1 and another second in the enduro. DAVID WILLENS #981 Goldcrest Motorsports took a duo of third place finishes in the sprint races. While MARCEL FAYEN #03 FMS Motorsports stood on the second step in sprint race 2 and completed the podium in the enduro with a third.
NATHAN BYRD #88 continued his dominance in the GT3.8 category winning sprint race 1 and the enduro but it’s wasn’t a sweep at Road America. In sprint 2 we saw a first time International GT race winner in TOMMY BALLESTER #188 TLM USA – congrats Tommy! Ballester stood on the podium for the enduro too, taking second. TOM McGLYNN #8 901 Shop in the iconic psychedelic “hippy car” livery scored a pair of thirds in sprint race 1 and the enduro. Rounding out the podium in sprint 1, Dr. JOHN BLEAZARD #33 Quirt Racing finished second.
Also on the Mission Foods GT3 Cup 3.8 podium was DANIEL HERRINGTON Goldcrest Motorsports #20 taking second to Ballester in sprint race 2.
Another iconic livery joined us at Road America in the Falken ALMS car. Driven by COLIN SCHMITZ #498 it was great to see the famous car in International GT. Colin’s father MICHAEL SCHMITZ was also entered but encountered some mechanical woes which kept him as a sideline cheerleader for his son.
At Road America International GT welcomed newcomers and teammates, MADDIE AUST #09 and ADAM GLEASON #21 raced a pair of BMW M2 CS Rs in the Exhibition category. Although the two BMWs finished nose-to-tail in the three races, Maddie bested Adam to the top of the podium in each race.
STAND 21 joined as a series official vendor to International GT in 2023 and provided the 2022 Champions, LUKAS PANK(Mission Foods GT3 Cup Trophy), JOE RIZZO (Stuttgart Cup) and JUAN FAYEN(Maranello Cup) with beautiful custom and personalized leather race gear bags. The final bag was presented to Fayen at Road America.
We love to share the casual shots from the paddock and while drivers tell their tales of race glories and share advice and driving tips from Road America, we have the chance to feature one of the hardest working people in motorsports! TRICIA SHIELDS, TLM USA. Tricia does it all from working on the car to feeding the crew, managing the office to running their So Florida series. Always there to lend a hand to anyone in the field, Tricia is one of the gems in the IGT paddock.
Chris Green Photography
Chris Green is the official series photographer for International GT.
Click on the COTA photo to link to Chris’s site.
Chris was not able to be at the California races however if you contact him, he can assist in getting photography for those two events.
Market Place
Do you have something to sell, looking for something to purchase? Use our Marketplace to promote your race car, transporter or equipment. It’s free to International GT participants.
Pirelli Tire Orders
We are proud to partner with Pirelli Tires as the exclusive provider to all International GT events. All Pirelli tire orders for IGT events must be placed with Frisby Tires. Frisby is at track at all IGT events to service our participants.
Click on the tire photo to link to the Frisby site for IGT orders or call (800)373-7390.
2023 Schedule
