BRASELTON, Ga., (July 17, 2013) – New asphalt and new facilities greeted the Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Michelin participants for opening weekend of the 2013 season at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park on Victoria Day weekend. Now, the drivers return to familiar territory to take part in the newly-named Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix featuring the American Le Mans Series for rounds five and six of 2013 season.
The 2.459-mile, 10-turn circuit is a favorite to many entered in the event. The intense corners command intense situational awareness and a total effort during the 45-minute sprint.
Spencer Pigot and David Ostella mastered the famous track with wins in rounds one and two at Victoria Day Speedfest. Rookie driver David Ostella in the No. 13 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car is the current points leader (68) after winning two races this season. He is trailed by teammates Pigot and Chris Green, each with 61 points after four rounds of competition. Due to obligations with his F2000 team, Pigot will not be running with Pfaff/Alegra Motorsports this weekend and instead Victor Carbone of Aventura, Fla., will be behind the No. 21 car.
SportsCarBoutique team owner and driver Ilker Starck shuffled up his two entries for the 2013 Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix and will be behind the wheel of a Gold Cup car for the first time this season. Starck raced the No. 48 Platinum Cup in the first two events of the season, but this weekend he’ll shift to the No. 38 Gold Cup car as Matt White steps into the Platinum Cup competition.
With only two events left following the Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix, the chance to take home keys to a Porsche for 365 days and an invitation to the Night of Champions is fast approaching. The winner of the championship this season will receive a one-year lease on a Porsche and an experience of a lifetime at the Night of Champions exclusive event in Weissach, Germany.
With five Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars on the grid each race, SpeedMerchants currently leads the team championship with 72 points, followed closely by Pfaff / Alegra Motorsports five points back and GT Racing in third.
The Masters Class driver standings are just as tight. Anthony Mantella of SpeedMerchants leads Marco Cirone with Mark Motors Racing for first place by just one point, with GT Racing’s Etienne Borgeat in third place.
Tim Sanderson is running away with the Gold Cup championship, having won all four races this season and built a substantial lead over fellow Gold Cup competitors.
Teams will have two practices this Friday, followed by qualifications at 10:45 a.m. ET Saturday, July 20 before the first race begins at 6:05 p.m. ET. On Sunday, July 21 the green flag drops for Race Two at 10 a.m. For live updates, follow @GT3Canada on Twitter and find photos from the weekend’s activities on Facebook.
ABOUT IMSA DEVELOPMENT SERIES
Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Michelin: The Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Michelin is one of three official Development Series sanctioned by the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). It is also the fastest-growing single-make series in North America. The Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Michelin produces intense, exciting competition for semi-professional drivers alongside some of the most promising career-minded GT drivers in one of the world’s most successful and iconic race cars, the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, and on classic Canadian road courses such as Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.
For more information on the Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Michelin, visit http://www.facebook.com/gt3canada on Facebook and @GT3Canada on Twitter.
From: GRand Solutions
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