Road America Friday Notebook

Photo: Fabian Lagunas/SRO

***While the day was largely run in dry conditions, heavy rain impacted Friday afternoon’s action at Road America, including the second half of Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS practice, which saw only a handful of cars take to the soaked four-mile track. The second practice session for Pirelli GT4 America was canceled as a result of the inclement weather.

***Chouest Povoledo Racing will utilize its GT America powered by AWS Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo chassis for the remainder of the Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS weekend following Ross Chouest’s heavy accident in opening practice that destroyed the team’s car. Chouest was uninjured in the high-speed crash in Turn 5.

***Corey Lewis has replaced John Geesbreght in the No. 68 Smooge Racing Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO this weekend, as Geesbreght has stood down from driving duties to focus on his business career. The 21-year-old, who has been racing in SRO America for the last four years, recently graduated from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.

***It’s understood Geesbreght’s seat alongside Tyler Gonzalez will be filled by Toyota development drivers for the final two rounds of the season at Barber Motorsports Park and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, although the long-term future of the team, which was initially formed for Geesbreght, is unknown.

***Kyle Marcelli said he’s so far had no issues in his return to driving duties this weekend after missing the recent IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race at Road America after recovering from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, a condition that affected his right arm while driving. The 34-year-old Canadian told Sportscar365 that he’s underwent physical therapy to help treat the condition.

***Marcelli’s No. 92 MMG Porsche 911 GT3 R that he shares with Jean-Frederic Laberge, is a brand-new chassis. It debuted at last month’s GT America powered by AWS event at Virginia International Raceway with Laberge driving solo.

***Bryson Morris, who is making his Fanatec GT America debut this weekend in the No. 08 DXDT Racing Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, is racing under a derogated Bronze driver rating. The 19-year-old, who races full-time in the TCR ranks of IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge with Bryan Herta Autosport, has limited GT3 experience, having made a handful of 24H Series starts in ST Racing’s BMW M4 GT3 in 2022.

***Of note, Morris was part of the driver lineup that delivered the first global victory for the M4 GT3 in the 2022 12H Mugello, racing alongside Nick Wittmer and Samantha Tan.

***SRO America held its annual ‘State of the Series’ address on Friday, confirming no format changes to Fanatec GT America for next year, a ban on tire warmers and a reversal of plans to integrate TC America powered by Skip Barber Racing School into GT America races next year, among other changes and enhancements.

***SRO America President and CEO Greg Gill revealed to series’ stakeholders they are projecting 18-20 cars “at a minimum” in Fanatec GT America next year, while nine international entries representing Intercontinental GT Challenge are due to join the current grid for this October’s Indianapolis 8 Hour presented by AWS. It means the race, reserved for GT3 cars only, will likely feature between 22-24 cars.

***Gill said that GT4 America has seen a 87 percent green flag racing record so far this season, marking a notable improvement over recent years.

***He told Sportscar365: “We really worked with our teams and drivers on driving standards and follow-through but also a reduced grid has been better for us. We’re very mindful as we add people into this coming year. We want to protect those people.”

***The series, meanwhile, has reported a 21 percent increase in spectator attendance at its ‘tentpole’ events at Sonoma Raceway, Circuit of The Americas and IMS, alongside a significant increase in live audience numbers through its streaming platforms on YouTube, Twitch and SpeedSport1.

***An announcement on an expansion of its broadcast partners is expected before the end of the year. In addition to the current streaming platforms, SRO America action is available on a tape-delayed basis on cable network MAVTV.

***GT America competitors will have a larger portion of the Long Beach convention center for its event on the streets of Southern California next April. This will be to allow for expanded partner activations at the high-profile event.

***Teams can take advantage of 2024 entry fee pricing should they submit entrant deposits by Oct. 1. SRO America general manager Staci Langham confirmed a 15 percent price increase for entries submitted after that date. 2025 registration, meanwhile, will open on Nov. 15.

***Qualifying action at Road America begins with GT America on Saturday at 8:05 a.m. CDT followed by live coverage of Fanatec GT America qualifying at 9:05 a.m., GT America Race 1 at 12:55 p.m., the first Fanatec GT America race of the weekend at 3:10 p.m. and GT4 America race action at 5 p.m., all on SRO’s GT World YouTube channel and on Twitch.

***After missing VIR due to his ABB FIA Formula E World Championship television commitments, Ryan Myrehn returns to the SRO America booth at Road America alongside Calvin Fish, with DJ Clark on pit road subbing for Amanda Busick, who is on duty in Monterey this weekend.

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