Fuentes Rejoins TR3 Racing for VIR

Photo: Brian Cleary/SRO

Reigning Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS Pro-Am champion Martin Fuentes is set for his first start in Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America in more than five years this weekend at Virginia International Raceway with TR3 Racing alongside co-driver Caesar Bacarella.

The pairing have been confirmed in the team’s No. 11 Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo Evo in place of Daniel Mancinelli, who initially appeared on the entry list but has been unable to travel to Virginia. 

It will be the first time Fuentes has driven with the Florida-based team since winning the GTWC America class title last year and its off-season switch from Ferrari to Lamborghini machinery.

It’s understood Fuentes and Bacarella will compete for Am class honors this weekend at VIR, alongside the sister No. 7 Lamborghini of Mark Issa and Sandro Espinosa.

“It feels great to be back with TR3 and their new program in the Lamborghini,” said Fuentes.

“There are so many great memories I have with this team, winning the championship in 2020 with the boys, and to be racing again with Caesar Bacarella is really exciting.

“I am looking forward to seeing a lot of familiar faces on the team, and competing at this legendary track, it should be amazing. I’m looking forward to winning some races with the boys again!”

Sunday’s pair of 50-minute Super Trofeo races will mark only the team’s second weekend in the single-make series following its debut at Circuit of The Americas last month.

“Texas allowed us to learn about the car a little bit more,” said Issa. “Trouble found us in Race 1 but that’s just more motivation.

“The team did an amazing job, staying at the track until 3 a.m. to fix the car. And I went right into the race with no testing but I have so much confidence in this team.

“It was great we were able to overcome that adversity and I am looking forward to VIR to continue to hone our skills.

“This is a great series and I’m enjoying it very much—hopefully can come home with some more trophies.”

TR3 in Double Duty Weekend With Lamborghinis

In addition to its Super Trofeo commitments, TR3 will once again field its Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo in the weekend’s GTWC America rounds, with Ziad Ghandour being joined by Lamborghini factory driver Sandy Mitchell.

Mitchell is subbing for Giacomo Altoe, who is competing in the Nürburgring 24 this weekend.

It will mark the first time the team has run both Lamborghini programs simultaneously on the same event weekend.

“We are really excited about this VIR weekend, welcoming back Martin and Caesar as well as having Sandy join us for World Challenge,” said team co-principal Greg Romenelli.

“This is a big effort from the team to be competing in both World Challenge as well as Lamborghini Super Trofeo, but we’ve got outstanding support and have been preparing for this for quite some time so are eager to get set up and get going this weekend.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John