Rothberg Targeting Continued Gains in First Season of GT3

Photo: Brian Cleary/SRO

Justin Rothberg says he’s hoping to continue making gains in what’s so far been a successful first season of GT3 competition across two SRO America championships.

The Ferrari Challenge graduate is contesting both Fanatec GT World Challenge America and GT America powered by AWS with Turner Motorsport, under the leadership of Will Turner and tutelage of co-driver Robby Foley, which has so far made for a quick study.

Rothberg, who only started professional racing in 2022, has already earned a Pro-Am class victory in Fanatec GT America competition at Sebring International Raceway, and sits third in the category standings entering the second half of the season this weekend at Virginia International Raceway.

“As I did a season-and-a-half of Ferrari Challenge, so my only experience was in a rear-engined Challenge car,” Rothberg told Sportscar365. “Then I did only one test before I started the season in this car.

“But the car felt pretty familiar. I thought it was going to be a lot more alien so luckily it was very familiar and Robby is a great coach and trainer.

“He puts me in the right direction and so does the team. All around, it’s a great support system.”

Rothberg credits BMW factory driver Foley, who got his start in sports car racing under BMW legend Bill Auberlen, for helping him get up to speed so quickly with the car.

“I heard about Robby from one of my good friends Michael Dinan who also coached with him and learned a ton,” he said.

“I saw that as a demonstration of Robby’s abilities to hone in somebody’s skills, especially someone young who can be impulsive like me and Mike.

“Robby, especially for his age, he’s very wise, very calm. A lot of Pros would do what’s best for them. Robby wants to do what’s best for us out there, which is really good and we appreciate that.”

While pulling double-duty on SRO America weekends, Rothberg said his time in GT America has come as a benefit.

“It’s been really helpful, especially because you get a race before the race,” he said. “Once World Challenge starts, I’m starting my second race of the day.

“But that’s a really competitive field, so it’s been really fun too.

“It’s been equally competitive, if not more competitive, than World Challenge this year.

“Hopefully we can keep getting some podiums and hopefully do well in the championship and finish strong this year.

“It’s only my first year in the GT3 car, so I can’t hope for a perfect season but I can hope for a really good one.”

BMW M4 GT3 the ‘Perfect Fit’ for Rothberg

Rothberg’s journey to Turner came largely due to the fact that his tall frame comfortably fit within the Bavarian manufacturer’s GT3 car, unlike several other competing models.

“My biggest thing with the BMW is that I’m 6’5”/6’6” so this was the car where I was really comfortable in,” he said. “I tried to get into the Aston and I literally gave myself a black-and-blue mark on the door.

“The Ferrari, the belts were below my shoulders, so I was pinched in.

“Beyond being a good car and a great team, I was comfortable and safe.

“I know a kid that does the 296 now and he just had to sell it because he’s 6’4” and his head was scratching against the ceiling.

“Safety is pretty important.

“It’s literally the four-door BMW with two seats in it. It’s huge. So I have no complaints there. Robby is also a big guy so it’s so easy.

“There’s no moving the seat around and stuff. I hop out, he hops in. It’s easy.”

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