Racers Edge Motorsports has targeted an expansion to a two-car GT3 program in GT World Challenge America next year, according to team owner Jon Mirachi.
The Florida-based team, which took drivers Kyle Marcelli and Martin Barkey to the Pro-Am drivers’ title this year, could field a second Acura NSX GT3 Evo after successfully completing a simulation of a two-car GT3 operation in the season finale at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
“Part of the experiment of running the GT4 and the GT3 [at Las Vegas] is to go through the motions of having a second car,” Mirachi told Sportscar365.
“As you know, we’ve run two GT4s before but it’s a lot different.
“This was to [practice] integrating it with the mindset of pretending this was a GT3 so I could debug all the things heading into next year.
“I would love to do it and I’m working towards that.”
Mirachi, whose team graduated to GT World Challenge this year, said he hasn’t finalized details of the 2020 program but would like to build off its championship-winning assets.
“I’d like to stay with Acura,” he said. “I think they’re happy with the job we’re doing. I hope that Martin comes back and try and defend our championship.
“We’re talking. He has some budget concerns, like everybody.”
Mirachi Supports 90-Minute GT3 Format
The longtime sports car racing entrant has given high praise to SRO America’s extended sprint 90-minute format, which was introduced this year.
“Everyone I talk to, I say this GT3 format is terrific,” he said. “The costs are not that high for what we’re doing here. The cars are awesome. I don’t know why there aren’t more of them.
Mirachi said he’s looking forward to the first long-distance endurance race in GT World Challenge America next year with the Indianapolis 8 Hours.
The event will double as the U.S. leg of the Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli, which has replaced the previous standalone round at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
“I like the idea because, as a team that’s done the Rolex 24 and stuff like that, we’re comfortable with the longer races,” Mirachi said.
“It does add to the budget but I think it’s good value.
“The amount we have to add vs. having the 8 Hours at Indy is good value. I actually like that and I told Stephane [Ratel] that.”