Pumpelly, BimmerWorld Take Friday Wins at VIR

Photo: Brian Cleary/SRO America

TRG and BimmerWorld claimed Pirelli GT4 America victories as SRO America returned to racing on Friday at Virginia International Raceway after a four-month hiatus.

Spencer Pumpelly converted pole position into a flag-to-flag win in the first GT4 Sprint race of the weekend.

Pumpelly took his No. 66 TRG Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport to a 2.382-second victory over the No. 12 Ian Lacy Racing Ford Mustang GT4 of Drew Staveley in the caution-free 50-minute contest.

The No. 18 Andretti Autosport McLaren 570S GT4 of Jarett Andretti completed the overall podium.

A turbo-related issue for the No. 10 Blackdog Speed Shop McLaren of Michael Cooper resulted in multiple trips to the pit lane after running fourth early on.

The issues promoted the No. 210 Flying Lizard Motorsports Aston Martin Vantage GT4 of Michael Dinan to a fourth place result overall and first in the Am class.

It marked Dinan’s second class win in the first three races of the season.

The No. 99 RecStuff Mercedes-AMG GT4 of Jeff Courtney finished second in class and fifth overall in the 14-car starting field.

Race 2 of the weekend gets underway Saturday at 9:25 a.m. ET.

RESULTS: Race 1

Photo: Gavin Baker/SRO

Auberlen Takes SprintX Win in Last-Lap Shocker

Bill Auberlen claimed victory in a dramatic final lap of the GT4 SprintX race, which saw the dominant No. 28 ST Racing BMW M4 GT4 of Harry Gottsacker slow and ground to a halt just feet away from the checkered flag.

The BMW veteran made up more than 15 seconds on the last lap of the 60-minute race, which had been led from the green by Gottsacker and co-driver Nick Wittmer.

However, a suspected fuel-related issue for the ST-entered BMW handed the overall win to BimmerWorld’s Auberlen and James Walker Jr., who also picked up GT4 Pro-Am class honors in their No. 82 entry.

A pass by Greg Liefooghe on the No. 47 Nolasport Porsche of Matt Travis with less than five minutes to go ultimately placed the No. 19 Stephen Cameron Racing BMW in second, with Andrew Davis making a late charge to third in the No. 2 GMG Racing Porsche he shared with Jason Bell.

Gottsacker and Wittmer were classified seventh overall although still picked up GT4 Silver class honors.

The GT4 Am class win also turned upside down on the last lap after drama for the No. 7 Nolasport Porsche of Zak Anderson, handing the win back to John Allen, who spun while in the class lead just moments earlier.

Mechanical issues for the No. 36 Andretti Autosport McLaren of Jarett Andretti dashed hopes of a potential podium result after a strong opening stint by Colin Mullan, who was running third overall prior to pitting.

SprintX teams take to the track for Race 2 on Saturday at 3:45 p.m. ET.

RESULTS: Race 1

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