34 Entries for VIR in First Sunday Race of Season

Photo: IMSA

A total of 34 entries are set for Sunday’s IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge round at Virginia International Raceway, including several notable returns to the paddock.

The entry list features 22 GS class entries and 12 TCR cars for the first of at least two consecutive Sunday races for the series.

Automatic Racing will return to a two-car Aston Martin Vantage GT4 effort, with Charles Espenlaub and Charlie Putman in the team’s No. 99 entry, with Rob Ecklin and Ramin Abdolvahabi moving over to the No. 09 Aston.

Both Indy Dontje and Philip Ellis will return to Winward Racing after missing recent rounds due to their ADAC GT Masters commitments.

Dontje will rejoin Russel Ward in the No. 4 Mercedes-AMG GT4, with Ellis in the No. 57 with Bryce Ward. 

Billy Johnson and Alec Udell filled in for Dontje and Ellis, respectively, in recent rounds.

The No. 40 PF Racing Ford Mustang GT4 will see a third different co-driver in as many races with Drew Staveley joining James Pesek.

Chad McCumbee, who was announced to be in the car for the majority of the season, has another clashing commitment this weekend but is due to be back for the next round at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta next month.

Track action for Pilot Challenge competitors on Friday afternoon with an additional practice session on tap for Saturday.

Qualifying for the two-hour race is scheduled for Sunday at 8:35 a.m. ET, with the Virginia is for Racing Lovers Grand Prix getting the green flag at 2:55 p.m., with live coverage on Trackpass on NBC Sports Gold and IMSA Radio.

BoP Changes for VIR

IMSA has made weight adjustments to three of the GS cars ahead of the weekend. 

Both the Aston Martin and Mercedes GT4 cars have received 20 kg increases in minimum weight, with the Mustang GT4 getting a significant 30 kg weight break.

Weight adjustments have also been made in TCR, although according to the WSC’s global technical bulletin.

The Audi RS 3 LMS TCR and Hyundai Veloster N TCR have lost 10 kg, with the Alfa Romeo Giuletta TCR gaining 30 kg.

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