Forte Looking to “Finish the Job” Amid Strong Second Season

Photo: Dan Bathie/McLaren

Forte Racing could secure two of the three drivers class championships, as well as the team’s title race entering this week’s triple-header McLaren Trophy America season finale at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and is looking to “finish the job” according to team principal Shane Seneviratne.

The California-based team, which has fielded four McLaren Artura Trophy EVO entries in the SRO America-run single-make series this year, sit 1-2 in the Pro class title race with the pairing of Patrick Liddy and Tanner Harvey four points ahead of Kaia Teo, who is skewed on points with regular co-driver Paul Holton, due to Holton missing the Miami event because of IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge commitments.

Additionally, Cooper Broll, who made the switch to the Am class this year as a solo driver, holds a 19-point lead in the category.

A maximum of 36 points are up for grabs in each class this week, when factoring in this evening’s Miami Makeup Race 2, as well as the regularly scheduled Rounds 9 and 10 of the season on Thursday and Friday, respectively.

Additionally, Forte holds a 17-point lead over a two-way tie between second-placed RWE Motorsport and Orlando Motorsport Services in the team’s trophy, a title that went to GMG Racing last year.

It means the team, which didn’t pick up any championship-winning hardware in last year’s inaugural season, could walk away with three titles by Friday.

“This is what you work toward all season,” said Seneviratne. “We’re going into the final weekend leading championships in both Pro and Am, we have multiple drivers still in the fight, and we have three races to finish the job.

“I’m incredibly proud of what our drivers, engineers and crew have accomplished this year, but nobody is taking anything for granted.

“Three races in three days is going to demand a lot from everyone.

“Our focus is on executing, giving all four cars the best opportunity to compete and fighting all the way through the final lap on Friday. Hopefully, when it’s over, we’ll have a lot to celebrate.”

Liddy and Harvey have momentum on their side following overall victory in the second race at Road America, which marked the pairing’s third Pro class win of the season.

“Tanner and I come into this weekend with a small points lead, but with three races at Indy, there’s still a lot on the line,” said Liddy.

“It’s been special to be on the podium so frequently this year, and a big thanks goes to everyone at Cypress and Forte who helped put us in this position.

“We know what we need to do now, and we’re ready to fight for the championship.”

Harvey added: “We know nothing is decided yet, so we’ll stay focused, push for wins, and give everything we have to bring home the McLaren Trophy America championship.”

Their main competition will be teammate Teo, who claimed her first career Pro class win in the second race at Sonoma Raceway with Holton.

“It’s taken so many people to get us to this point and I’m really proud of what we’ve accomplished together,” she said.

“Now it’s time for one final push, and I can’t wait to see what we can do this week.”

Defending Pro class champion James Li, who has teamed up with Sam Neser, could dethrone the two Forte entries, with the RWE co-drivers just eight points behind Liddy and Harvey.

The story is slightly different in the Am class with Broll holding a chance to clinch the title, potentially even two races early.

This is because second-placed runners Deniz Teoman and Jeff Cook will not be taking part this week, which effectively gives Broll a 29-point margin over Fabio Grecco, his nearest competitor.

Broll took part in last month’s Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America races at The Brickyard, giving the driver even more seat time at The Brickyard.

“I feel confident going in,” he said. “This track has always been a strong one for me and I raced recently in Super Trofeo so I’m ready to go.”

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