Saying Farewell To Our Friend and Leader Ken Fengler
We want to give a huge thanks to KEN FENGLER for his 12 years steering the ship at International GT! His leadership has given us this wonderful racing series that we all enjoy!! We wish him the very best in his retirement. Although we all expect to see him again, he swears his plans are to sit on a Florida beach, cold drink in hand, with his only worry in the world being which coconut might fall on him!
For those not at COTA click on the photo to hear Ken’s closing podium. Thanks to Cam from Matrix Motorsports for providing the video!!
Circuit of the Americas Season Finale Racing is BIGGER in Texas
International GT headed to Texas for the 2025 season finale. We ended the weekend with some fantastic, very tight and spirited racing without one single caution lap! Circuit of the Americas is arguably the top-rated racing facility in the US and it’s always fun to see it right after the F1 race.
The weather could not have been better most of the weekend, with the only exception being Saturday afternoon when sprint race 3 was canceled. The rain had stopped, and track was drying but the lightning was active and we were finally delayed to the point we were encountering darkness and had to cancel the race.
Above and beside are iconic sites at Circuit of the Americas brought to us by our own Marie Zitza (Ron’s better half). The main entrance marquee above the karting track and the observation tower lit up at night.
For this report, we’re starting at Maranello Cup as our only 2025 Champion crowned at Circuit of the Americas was YOUSUF NABI #03, Gotham Motorsports in his Ferrari 488. Yousuf battled BRAD EVANS #111, who debuted with International GT this weekend, and although Brad was the victor on track in the IGT races, Yousuf neatly wrapped up the championship! Evans was straight back from the Ferrari Challenge season finale in Italy, but didn’t miss a beat, jumping into his F488 at COTA. Evans shared the enduro with co-driver MATTEO CREDICI, while Nabi split the race with regular co-driver DARIO CAPITANIO. The Ferrari battle was terrific and both Nabi and Evans will be back in 2026.
For the record our other two champions, G MICHAEL MERRITT in Mission Foods GT3 Cup and TOM KIRK in Stuttgart Cup had previously clinched their 2025 championships. We will hold our championship awards banquet at the season opening race in Sebring in February 2026. Stay tuned to our email blasts to see more on the Champs in the coming weeks.
The GT4.R category was the largest of the weekend at COTA and the racing was close. We welcomed newcomer ROBERTO DELLA COSTA #17 to International GT competition. The Brazilian proved to be very fast, wi
Our thanks go out to MATRIX MOTORSPORTS for bringing six entries to COTA, all in the Mission Foods GT3 Cup category with four in GT4.R, one in the 4 liter and one in the 3.8 liter categories. In the GT4.R CLIFF CAYER #08 won sprint race 2, had a third place finish in sprint race 1 and just so he could stand on all steps of the podium, finished second in the enduro. His Halloween themed livery was a big hit with the fans!
Matrix teammate, BILL OLIVER #058 had a great weekend too, winning the enduro with co-driver BRUNO CARNEIRO and finishing second in the first sprint race. Another Matrix Motorsports GT4.R belonged to WOODY WHICHARD #212. Woody had a strong outing finishing just off the podium in the sprint races but ran into early troubles in the enduro and only completed a couple laps.
JUAN GONZALEZ #81, Car Amigo, provided title sponsorship for the Mission Foods SpeedTour event at COTA. Juan had an abbreviated race event, leaving just after the Saturday morning race. However, he had a great couple sprint races finishing on the podium in sprint race 2.
Also from the Matrix camp, JOHN BOYETTE #11B posted a pair of fourth place finishes in the sprint races and shared the co-driving skills of Bruno Carneiro with Bill Oliver for the enduro. Bruno started the enduro in #11B and finished in #058. John and Bruno teamed to win the overall race winning honors in the enduro representing the Exhibition category.
We saw the return of father/son duo ERIC and LIAM GRAY at the Circuit of the Americas however instead of sharing their GT3.8 liter Porsche in the Mission Foods GT3 Cup class as they have done in the past, Eric purchased an additional race car since we last saw them, entering it in the GT4.0 category. Eric took the GT3.8 car #973 and swept the category in the two sprint races. Meanwhile Liam got the newer car #991 and was part of some outstanding battles on the way to winning both sprint races in the very competitive GT4.0 category. With the support of the Matrix Motorsports crew, the Grays paired in the enduro winning in the 4 liter car.
Liam Gray battled in the GT4.0 category with another newcomer to International GT, JULIO DE JESUS #12, with TOPP Racing out of Cresson, Texas. Julio finished second in sprint race 1 and third in sprint race 2.
In his final race as reigning Mission Foods GT3 Cup Champion, TOMMY BALLESTER #189 ran into some difficulty early on just completing half the laps in sprint race 1 but with the outstanding skills of the crew from Quirt Racing, Ballester was back on track for sprint race 2 finishing second and doing the same in Sunday’s enduro.
In Stuttgart Cup we saw the return of KURT KROPP #641 with Extreme Velocity Motorsports. Kurt missed the Barber round a couple weeks ago but dominated the CAY4.0 category at COTA winning all three of the races on the weekend. RICHARD GRANT #30 took his Cayman Clubsport to a trio of second place finishes on the weekend.
One of our favorites, 2023 Stuttgart Cup Champion, MARIA MEJIA #11 from Quirt Racing based in Cresson, TX returned to IGT competition at COTA. Although feeling pressure from behind, Maria swept the wins in the CAY3.8 category all weekend, sharing the enduro driving duties with Quirt Smith.
It’s been a few years, however we were happy to welcome back JOSEPH VITAGLIANO #5 from SpeedSport Tuning. Joseph brought along coach, Sean Rayhall and finished runner-up in both sprint races.
We had a nice surprise when one of the Group 10 cars decided to race with IGT, adding to an already impressive field. RITCH MARZIALE #56 started at the rear of the field in sprint race 1, as he did not qualify with IGT but passed everyone in his AMG GT3 race car to take the overall win. In sprint race 2 he was able to start up front as the second race grid is based on the fastest lap time from race 1, which is where he stayed and finished.
Also in Exhibition was longtime International GT competitor NICK GROOMBRIDGE #218, SpeedSport Tuning. We haven’t seen Nick since our California rounds back in the spring as business had him globe-trotting most of the year. Nick took his Porsche to a couple of second place finishes in the two sprint races and a third in the enduro.
From the TOPP Racing camp, Julio’s father FRANCISCO DE JESUS had some mechanical issues that kept him from sprint race 1 however, he came back with gusto in sprint race 2, finishing third and shared the enduro with ERIC FOSS to come in second.
If you didn’t already see it, we posted a great John Carey video from Thursday’s practice at COTA. Click on the start photo to watch.
That wraps the 2025 International GT season. It’s been 11 races from coast to coast with excellent battles along the way, three terrific champions crowned and a remarkable lack of yellow flags!! Our most sincere thanks goes to all the talented drivers, exceptional coaches/co-drivers and incredibly dedicated teams that have participated with IGT this season!! We wish everyone a restful off-season and hope to see you often in 2026!
IGT Partners with Santa's Toy Run
Once again International GT is partnering with Santa’s Toy Run for their 2025 campaign. The event is tons of fun at Road Atlanta on December 6-7. However there are lots of ways to help out if you cannot attend. Click on the flyer and purchase raffle tickets or donate toys and other items to support various domestic abuse centers and other children’s charities this holiday season.
2026 Schedule
Flagtronics Requirement
International GT has partnered with Flagtronics for the best in on-track safety. Starting at the Watkins Glen race in September Flagtronics will be required for all International GT entrants. Click on the Flagtronics logo to link to their site for more information and to purchase the system. If you have any questions email: sales@flagtronics.com
Chris Green Photography
Chris Green is the official photographer for International GT and available for competitor’s photography as well. Contact Chris at chrisgreenimages@gmail.com.
To see the race photo galleries click on the photo to link to Chris’s website.
Pirelli Tire Orders
Pirelli is the exclusive tire for International GT and must be purchased through Frisby Tires. Click on the Pirelli logo to link to Frisby to order tires. Please be sure to order tires well in advance of the events. Frisby will be at each track to support International GT participants. Any questions call (800)798-7201..
Marketplace
FOR SALE: International GT competitor BRIAN HICKS is selling his 2016 Porsche Cup race car. Click on the photo to link to the full information.
This space is available for International GT participants to market any race cars, equipment and/or transporters you are trying to sell. Contact Julie@ParellaMotorsports.com to post a listing. Please send photos and details for item(s) you are selling.