Connect with us

GT World Challenge America

Baptista Sweeps GTS Weekend After Panoz Blows Up

Rodrigo Baptista takes GTS sweep of weekend at Lime Rock…

Photo: Porsche Cars North America

Rodrigo Baptista has claimed a sweep of the Pirelli World Challenge GTS weekend at Lime Rock Park, following suspected engine failure for the Panoz Avezzano GT, which appeared to be en route to a breakthrough first victory.

The Brazilian took his No. 3 Flying Lizard Motorsports Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR to a 9.870-second victory over the No. 10 Blackdog Speed Shop Camaro GT4.R of Lawson Aschenbach in second, following a late-race restart for an incident involving a GTSA class car.

Baptista led early after making an impressive standing start from third to first but drove off-course on Lap 16 after a braking issue, handing the lead to Ian James in the Panoz.

A strong run for the Panoz, however, ended with 23 minutes to go when smoke billowed out of the exhaust of the GTS-homologated car and dashed a likely maiden win for the team.

The No. 11 VOLT Racing Ford Mustang of Chris Hall completed the overall podium in third and claimed GTSA class honors, after Hall got around the pair of Mantella Autosport KTM X-Bow GT4s.

Nate Stacy was fourth in the No. 14 Flying Lizard Porsche and third in the GTS Pro class.

Pole-sitter Anthony Mantella, who dropped to seventh after a sluggish start, was sixth in the No. 8 KTM, behind teammate Martin Barkey, who completed the top-five overall.

RESULTS: Race 2

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

1 Comment
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

More in GT World Challenge America