COTA Win the “Clearest Target” for TRG’s Hasse-Clot, DeBoer

Photo: Valentin Hasse-Clot FB

Valentin Hasse-Clot said the “clearest target” for he and Derek DeBoer is victory in this weekend’s Fanatec GT World Challenge America rounds at Circuit of The Americas after reaching the podium twice in their most recent appearance.

The TRG duo enter Rounds 5 and 6 on the heels of a double Pro-Am class podium at NOLA Motorsports Park that was highlighted by overall pole for Race 2 from the Aston Martin Racing factory driver in his series debut.

With Hasse-Clot back in the No. 007 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 for this weekend’s pair of 90-minute races and at least the next event at Virginia International Raceway, the pairing are looking to build on the chemistry and success gained from New Orleans.

“We’re just looking to repeat the performance from qualifying, so a pole position, and then from pole, we aim to win the race,” Hasse-Clot told Sportscar365.

“We missed it in NOLA; P3 and P2 and now we’re chasing the first win of the season, that’s the clearest target.”

The 27-year-old Frenchman, who is again filling in for fellow works driver Ross Gunn, is visiting COTA for the first time although has said his level of preparation has made him feel like he’s been here before.

“I think on the engineering side, Aston has brought some ideas of setup, etc. but I’ve mainly been bringing some driving [expertise],” he explained.

“I’ve been helping Derek from a driving point of view.”

DeBoer added: “He’s very organized and he does a lot of work away from the track to bring me up to speed really quickly.

“I feel like we know the car already and it’s only my second time in it. A lot of that goes to the work that he’s doing.

“It’s pretty impressive getting a pre-race document from a guy that’s never been to the track.

“I’ve been here for many years and I’m looking like, ‘Huh, that looks perfect!’ and he already feels at home. I think we have a good weekend ahead of us.”

DeBoer, who is in his 11th year of racing in SRO America, mostly in Pirelli GT4 America, said he hasn’t regretted his step up to GTWC America competition.

“It’s always the goal has been to be at the top level,” he said. “So it’s a dream come true to be here.

“The Aston GT3 is an amazing car to drive. So I’m kind of back in that mode where I’m just excited for every single second that I get to be in the seat.

“It’s so competitive and so professional. So far it’s been a lot cleaner racing and I’m loving that, with the good amount of respect on track.”

With two of the four races so far having been won overall by Pro-Am driver lineups, Hasse-Clot said he hasn’t been surprised by that fact, given the ever-increasing level of Bronze-rated drivers, such as DeBoer.

“The level of Bronze drivers is going up; every year it’s getting better and better,” he said. “Bronze drivers are getting more and more professional, like Derek.

“He’s training as much as me, I think. He’s been very serious with the diet, the simulator and is getting more involved with what they do.

“[Bronze drivers] are not acting like it’s a weekend hobby anymore.”

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