Jimenez Clinches I-PACE eTROPHY Title

Photo: Jaguar

Sergio Jimenez has clinched the inaugural Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY series title with a dominant victory in Saturday’s penultimate round of the season in New York City.

The Brazilian led home a Jaguar Brazil Racing 1-2 result, with Jimenez finishing 0.651 seconds ahead of teammate Caca Bueno following a one-lap shootout after a late-race safety car period.

Jimenez managed to lock up the first-ever in the all-electric SUV single-make series following an accident in qualifying by championship rival Bryan Sellers, who was unable to start the 25-minute plus-one lap race.

Sellers entered the weekend at a six-point deficit to Jimenez but has since dropped to third in the standings after not making the grid despite an extensive rebuild by Jaguar mechanics.

The No. 99 Team Asia New Zealand entry of Simon Evans completed the overall and Pro class podium in third, ahead of Katherine Legge in the No. 3 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Jaguar in fourth.

An accident by journalist Mark Hacking in the Jaguar VIP car, after contact by the No. 15 Jaguar China Racing entry of Ziyi Zhang, resulted in the race’s only caution on Lap 9.

The race restarted just as the 25-minute clock expired, allowing for a finish under green.

Alesayi Locks Up Pro-Am Championship

With a fifth place overall finish and class victory, Bandar Alesayi claimed the Pro-Am title for himself and Saudi Racing.

Alesayi took his fifth class victory in nine races, finishing ahead of the No. 9 Jaguar China Racing entry of Yaqi Zhang.

Ahmed Bin Khanen completed the class podium in third.

The season-ending round gets underway 2 p.m. EDT on Sunday.

RESULTS: Race 1

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