Road America Pre-Race Notebook

Photo: Brian Cleary/BCPix.com

***The Mercedes-AMG GT3 could make its North American debut at Petit Le Mans in October. Multiple sources have indicated to Sportscar365 that the German manufacturer is evaluating an effort for the 10-hour season finale at Road Atlanta. It’s unclear what team would run the car, although multiple teams, including Riley Motorsports, have been linked to a possible 2017 GTD program.

***Dane Cameron led the way in warmup, having posted a best lap of 1:56.190 in his No. 31 Action Express Racing Corvette DP. Colin Braun (PC), Joey Hand (GTLM) and Lawson Aschenbach (GTD) led their respective classes in the 20-minute session.

***A number of cars have been moved to the rear of the field for this afternoon’s race due to technical infractions, including both BMW Team RLL BMW M6 GTLM entries, the No. 7 Starworks Motorsport Oreca FLM09 and the No. 67 Ford GT. Click Here for the revised grid.

***A decision on Cooper MacNeil’s co-driver in the No. 22 WeatherTech-backed Porsche 911 GT3 R for the remainder of the season has not yet been made. Team owner Alex Job told Sportscar365 they tried to bring Shane van Gisbergen in this weekend, but the Kiwi had prior commitments.

***Van Gisbergen cannot take part in the next two rounds due to clashes with the Australian Supercars Championship, while Porsche Junior Sven Mueller, who was drafted in this weekend at the last minute, has a Porsche Supercup race at Spa-Francorchamps on the VIR weekend.

***Job said the No. 77 WeatherTech Porsche is a one-off entry and will not take part in any remaining rounds. He also ruled it out for January’s Rolex 24 at Daytona, in what will be another single-car WeatherTech effort with four drivers.

***Saturday’s annual auction for Camp Anokijig raised more then $26,400 toward the youth camp located just miles from Road America. Corvette Racing crew chief Dan Binks is part owner of the property with his father, and both are former campers. Corvette Racing Program Manager Doug Fehan served as the auctioneer with assistance from Binks, Corvette Racing/Team Chevy team members and many of the Corvette Corral volunteers.

***Be sure to download Andy Blackmore’s official Spotter Guide for today’s race, featuring all 41 entries for the ninth round of the WeatherTech Championship.

***FOX Sports 1 will carry live coverage of the Continental Tire Road Race Showcase, beginning at 4 p.m. ET. IMSA Radio will provide full coverage, with international viewers able to watch the race feed on IMSA.tv and on-board cameras for everyone.

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