Watkins Glen International Race Recap
Although on a different weekend than usual, International GT had a strong and very competitive field for last weekend’s Mission Goods SpeedTour races at Watkins Glen International.
The racing throughout the field was excellent. If you have not done so, check out the live streaming on SpeedTourTV to watch the races. All three of the International GT races were covered on streaming. Click on the photo of the race start to link to the streaming.
Race 1 had an early and several lap caution but once it properly got started TOM PANK #42, Ultra Performance had it well in control. Big pressure came from newcomer JOEL JOHNSON #207 SpeedSport Tuning. Joel was racing in the Exhibition category in a Porsche GT4.R.
Tom Pank also had FIKSE Wheels Sprint Challenge well in hand when some loud crunching noises had him parked on the side of the track, bringing out a caution which his son (who was in third overall, holding off Tuaty and Gonzalez) did not want to see! Tom Pank’s transmission was retired and he was unable to race the enduro.
LUKAS PANK #40, Ultra Performance held on the win the GT4.0 category in sprint race 2. While the overall win went to Johnson.
In the enduro Lukas won overall after a fantastic battle with Joel Johnson!! Watch the live stream to see a great race!
In the GT4.0 category MARK SANDRIDGE #58, Team Salad, was second in Sprint race 2 and shared the enduro with OWEN TRINKLER. Owen came within seconds of catching Lukas Pank for the overall win in the enduro.
Tom Pank not in a racing suit? Saturday had him rooting for his son.
Putting pressure on the Panks and Johnson was DAVID TUATY #58, TLM USA. David won race 2 and the enduro in the GT4.R category.
JUAN GONZALEZ #81 Car Amigo, had a great weekend too. Finishing runner up in GT4.R for sprint 1 and 2. It was a BIG weekend for Juan as he celebrated a birthday, his son, Juan Jr released an album on Spotify and he bought a new car (photo) which he tested in the enduro. We think the traditional Mission Foods livery is coming soon.
Juan says 67 is the new 25…we all agree wholeheartedly!!
Two of our favorite people. We think everyone would agree, Tricia is more of a favorite than her boss 
but we love them both!
NICK GROOMBRIDGE #124, SpeedSport Tuning would round out the podium in GT4.0 Sprint race 1 and finished second in race 2 and the enduro.
In the GT3.8 category our points championship leader TOMMY BALLESTER #187, TLM USA won all three races but it was only with a last lap pass in the enduro of BOB WISEN #27, Ultra Performance who finished second. Hot on their heels throughout the three races was JORDAN SANDRIDGE #49, Team Salad who rounded out the podium.
Tommy raced a borrowed Porsche from a friend with his own race car still being repaired. Meanwhile, both Tommy and Bob have purchased new GT4.0 cars and will continue their on-track battle next season.
The Stuttgart Cup also provided lots of competition. Stuttgart Cup Championship leader DAVID HAMPTON #14, AR Motorsports, swept all three races and continues to learn the best North American circuits!
ROCCO CANNATA #44 won both of the sprint races in CAY3.8. However TOM BIGONY #174, SpeedSport Tuning, gave Rocco a run for his money in the sprint races and pulled out the big guns for the enduro with KATHERINE LEGGE co-driving in the latter part of the race.
SPENCER PROPPER, #30 Zotz Racing took third in both sprint races. JEFFREY THOMPSON #333 made his IGT debut also with Zotz Racing and in his Cayman 3.4 liter had a big learning curve at the famous Watkins Glen circuit. He was runner up to a veteran and great racer, TORSTEN GROSS #19, Hairy Dog Racing who won all three races.
Another fun fact from the weekend. Torsten (Just Hands Motorsports) who drives with one hand (as a quadriplegic he controls the brake and shifting with one hand and the steering wheel with the other) likes a few laps of caution each race to rest. We’re all amazed at his stamina and racing abilities.
We learned that David Tuaty was sporting a new FIKSE WHEEL on his GT4.R race car (see photo). Our thanks go to FIKSE for sponsoring the second sprint race on Saturday, the FIKSE WHEELS Sprint Challenge.
Next up is VIRginia International Raceway, October 3-6.
RS1 Race Transporter Stolen
Our friends at RS1 are all over the internet but for all the wrong reasons. Their transporter was stolen with their race car and equipment! Please keep an eye out for it. Click on the photo too find out more.
Testing Available with Team EVM Race Week
Our friends at Extreme Velocity Motorsports have the VIR track rented for testing on Tuesday (Oct 1) and Wednesday (Oct 2). This testing is open to International GT participants who want to purchase the extra track time through EVM. Contact Derek at (561) 781-7223 or derek@teamevm.com with any questions or inquiries. Or click on the EVM logo to link to their website.
Official Series Photographer Chris Green
We’ve been highlighting race car photos from Chris for years and you can look above to see how great his gallery is from Watkins Glen (you can also check our website). But we think his greatest photo from the weekend is of his little one Daisy Alice Green who attended the race at WGI.
Chris does a fantastic job of covering our events and all competitors should reach out to him to see his beautiful images of your race car after every event. Or you can get with Chris and go over your photography needs prior to the events.
Market Place
Do you have something to sell, looking for something to purchase, a service to provide? Use our Marketplace to promote your race car, transporter or equipment. It’s free to International GT participants. Contact Julie@internationalGT.net or call (770)380-7770
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.
2024 Schedule
