2020 Michelin GT Challenge at VIR
The 2020 Michelin GT Challenge at VIR was a sports car race sanctioned by the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). The race was held at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia on August 22, 2020. This race was the fifth round of the 2020 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and the fourth round of the WeatherTech Sprint Cup.
The overall race was won by the #3 Corvette Racing team of Antonio García and Jordan Taylor, the duo's third and the team's fourth victories of the season. In GTD, Bill Auberlen collected his record-breaking 61st career IMSA victory, as Turner Motorsport scored their first class victory of the season.[1]
Background[edit]
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Then International Motor Sports Association's (IMSA) president Scott Atherton confirmed the race was part of the schedule for the 2020 IMSA SportsCar Championship (IMSA SCC) in August 2019.[2] It was the seventh consecutive year it was part of the IMSA SCC. The Michelin GT Challenge at VIR was the fifth of eleven sports car races of 2020 by IMSA, and the fourth of seven races on the WeatherTech Sprint Cup.[3] The race was held at the 3.270 mi (5.263 km) Virginia International Raceway on August 22, 2020.[4] Much like in previous years, the event was a GT only round, in which the GTLM and GTD classes were scheduled to compete.[5] Due to a clash with the Indianapolis 500, the event was moved from August 23, 2020, to August 22, 2020.[6]
Due to Virginia's COVID-19 gathering restrictions, fans were barred from attendance for the first time this season.[7] The previous three rounds had limited attendance, but the VIR round was the first to outright prevent any fans from entering the grounds. Patrick Pilet and Nick Tandy entered the race as defending champions, although only Tandy participated in the 2020 iteration.[8]
On August 14, 2020, IMSA released the latest technical bulleting, outlining the BoP for the race.[9] In GTLM, the BMW M8 GTE received a five kilogram weight reduction, while the Corvette and Porsche received 20 kilogram weight increases. The Porsche also received a five-liter fuel capacity increase. In GTD, the Audi received a 20 kilogram weight reduction, while the Lexus (which had won the previous three events) had 15 kilograms of ballast added to its total weight.
Before the race, Antonio García and Jordan Taylor led the GTLM Drivers' Championship with 130 points, ahead of Earl Bamber and Laurens Vanthoor with 120 points, and Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner with 117 points.[10] With 87 points, Jack Hawksworth led the GTD Drivers' Championship, 1 point ahead of Townsend Bell and Frankie Montecalvo in second followed by Aaron Telitz in third.[10] Chevrolet and Lexus were leading their respective Manufactures' Championships while Corvette Racing and AIM Vasser Sullivan each led their own Teams' Championships.[10]
Entries[edit]
A total of 20 cars took part in the event, split across two classes. 6 were entered in GTLM, while 14 were entered in GTD.[11] The lone change from the previous round was the return of Paul Miller Racing's Lamborghini Huracan, which had been absent since the opening race at Daytona.[12]
Practice[edit]
There were two practice sessions preceding the start of the race on Saturday, both on Friday. The first session lasted one hour on Friday morning while the second session lasted 75 minutes on Friday afternoon.[13]
Practice 1[edit]
The first practice session took place at 8:00 am ET on Friday and ended with Laurens Vanthoor topping the charts for Porsche GT Team, with a lap time of 1:41.550.[14] The GTD class was topped by the #14 AIM Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 of Jack Hawksworth with a time of 1:45.264. Patrick Long was second in the Wright Motorsports entry and Bryan Sellers rounded out the top 3.[15] The session was red flagged four minutes in after Roman De Angelis in the #23 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin hit the barrier at turn 4.[16]
| Pos. | Class | No. | Team | Driver | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GTLM | 912 | Porsche GT Team | Laurens Vanthoor | 1:41.550 | _ |
| 2 | GTLM | 911 | Porsche GT Team | Nick Tandy | 1:41.936 | +0.386 |
| 3 | GTLM | 3 | Corvette Racing | Antonio García | 1:42.036 | +0.486 |
| Sources:[17][18] | ||||||
Practice 2[edit]
The second and final practice session took place at 12:00 pm ET on Friday and ended with Oliver Gavin topping the charts for Corvette Racing, with a lap time of 2:03.700.[19] Aaron Telitz set the fastest time in GTD.[19] Twelve of the twenty entries did not get a time in due to heavy rain.[19]
| Pos. | Class | No. | Team | Driver | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GTLM | 4 | Corvette Racing | Oliver Gavin | 2:03.700 | _ |
| 2 | GTLM | 912 | Porsche GT Team | Laurens Vanthoor | 2:04.385 | +0.685 |
| 3 | GTLM | 911 | Porsche GT Team | Frédéric Makowieck | 2:04.818 | +1.118 |
| Sources:[20][21] | ||||||
Qualifying[edit]
Friday's afternoon qualifying was broken into two sessions, with one session for the GTLM and GTD classes, which lasted for 15 minutes each, and a ten minute interval between the sessions.[13] The rules dictated that all teams nominated a driver to qualify their cars, with the Pro-Am (GTD) class requiring a Bronze/Silver Rated Driver to qualify the car. The competitors' fastest lap times determined the starting order. IMSA then arranged the grid to put the GTLMs ahead of the GTD cars.[22]
The first was for cars in GTD class. Corey Fergus qualified on pole for the class driving the #76 car for Compass Racing, beating Robby Foley in the Turner Motorsport entry by less than one-tenth of a second. The #12 Lexus of Frankie Montecalvo was third followed by Matt McMurry in the #86 Acura.[23]
The final session of qualifying was for the GTLM class. Frédéric Makowiecki qualified on pole driving the #911 car for Porsche GT Team, beating teammate Laurens Vanthoor in the sister #912 Porsche GT Team entry by over one-tenth of a second.[24][25]
Qualifying results[edit]
Pole positions in each class are indicated in bold and by ‡.
| Pos. | Class | No. | Team | Driver | Time | Gap | Grid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GTLM | 911 |  Porsche GT Team
|
 Frédéric Makowiecki
|
1:40.389 | _ | 1‡ |
| 2 | GTLM | 912 | Porsche GT Team
|
 Laurens Vanthoor
|
1:40.519 | +0.130 | 2 |
| 3 | GTLM | 25 | BMW Team RLL
|
Connor De Phillippi
|
1:41.095 | +0.706 | 3 |
| 4 | GTLM | 3 | Corvette Racing
|
Jordan Taylor
|
1:41.228 | +0.839 | 51 |
| 5 | GTLM | 4 | Corvette Racing
|
 Oliver Gavin
|
1:41.662 | +1.273 | 62 |
| 6 | GTLM | 24 | BMW Team RLL
|
John Edwards
|
1:41.716 | +1.327 | 4 |
| 7 | GTD | 76 | Compass Racing
|
Corey Fergus
|
1:45.236 | +4.847 | 7‡ |
| 8 | GTD | 96 | Turner Motorsport
|
Robby Foley
|
1:45.310 | +4.921 | 8 |
| 9 | GTD | 12 |  AIM Vasser Sullivan
|
Frankie Montecalvo
|
1:45.397 | +5.008 | 9 |
| 10 | GTD | 86 | Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian
|
Matt McMurry
|
1:45.434 | +5.045 | 10 |
| 11 | GTD | 48 | Paul Miller Racing
|
Madison Snow
|
1:45.453 | +5.064 | 11 |
| 12 | GTD | 14 | AIM Vasser Sullivan
|
Aaron Telitz
|
1:45.524 | +5.135 | 12 |
| 13 | GTD | 63 | Scuderia Corsa
|
Cooper MacNeil
|
1:45.565 | +5.176 | 13 |
| 14 | GTD | 57 | Heinricher Racing with MSR Curb-Agajanian
|
Misha Goikhberg
|
1:45.570 | +5.181 | 14 |
| 15 | GTD | 22 | Gradient Racing
|
Till Bechtolsheimer
|
1:46.196 | +5.807 | 15 |
| 16 | GTD | 23 | Heart of Racing Team
|
Ian James
|
1:46.391 | +6.002 | 16 |
| 17 | GTD | 74 | Riley Motorsports
|
Gar Robinson
|
1:46.391 | +6.002 | 183 |
| 18 | GTD | 16 | Wright Motorsports
|
Ryan Hardwick
|
1:46.459 | +6.070 | 17 |
| 19 | GTD | 30 | Team Hardpoint
|
Rob Ferriol
|
1:46.726 | +6.337 | 204 |
| 20 | GTD | 44 | GRT Magnus
|
John Potter
|
1:48.186 | +7.797 | 195 |
| Sources:[26][27] | |||||||
- 1 The No. 3 Corvette Racing entry was moved to the back of the GTLM field as per Article 40.1.4 of the Sporting regulations (Change of starting tires).[22]
- 2 The No. 4 Corvette Racing entry was moved to the back of the GTLM field as per Article 40.1.4 of the Sporting regulations (Change of starting tires).[22]
- 3 The No. 74 Riley Motorsports entry was moved to the back of the GTD field as per Article 40.1.4 of the Sporting regulations (Change of starting tires).[22]
- 4 The No. 30 Team Hardpoint entry was moved to the back of the GTD field as per Article 40.1.4 of the Sporting regulations (Change of starting tires).[22]
- 5 The No. 44 GRT Magnus entry was moved to the back of the GTD field as per Article 40.1.4 of the Sporting regulations (Change of starting tires).[22]
Race[edit]
Post-race[edit]
With a total of 165 points, García and Taylor's victory allowed them to increase their advantage over Bamber and Vanthoor in the GTLM Drivers' Championship to 29 points.[28] The result kept Hawksworth atop the GTD Drivers' Championship while Farnbacher and McMurry advanced from fourth to second. Foley and Auberlen jumped from ninth to fifth.[28] Chevrolet and Lexus continued to top their respective Manufacturers' Championships while Corvette Racing and AIM Vasser Sullivan kept their respective advantages in the their respective of Teams' Championships with six rounds remaining in the season.[28]
Results[edit]
Class winners are denoted in bold and ‡.
Standings after the race[edit]
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- Note: Only the top five positions are included for all sets of standings.
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- Note: Only the top five positions are included for all sets of standings.
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- Note: Only the top five positions are included for all sets of standings.
References[edit]
- ^ "Three for Three: No. 3 Corvette Gets Win No. 3 of 2020 in IMSA GT Challenge at VIR". autoweek.com. 23 August 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ^ Dagys, John (August 2, 2019). "2020 WeatherTech Championship Schedule Released". sportscar365.com. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
- ^ Pruett, Marshall (June 25, 2020). "IMSA refines 2020 calendar". racer.com. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ "Revised 2020 Sports Car Racing Calendars". sportscar365.com. April 4, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ Wood, Colin (May 15, 2020). "IMSA Unveils Revised 2020 Schedule". grassrootsmotorsports.com. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ Dagys, John (August 20, 2020). "VIR Thursday Notebook". sportscar365.com. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ "Michelin GT Challenge at VIR to be held behind closed doors". motorsportweek.com. 29 July 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ^ "Michelin VIR Notebook". sportscar365.com. 20 August 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ^ "TB-IWSC-20-18-VIR-BoP-Tables-08142020.pdf" (PDF). imsa.com. 14 August 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ^ a b c "00_Championship Points - Official.pdf" (PDF). results.imsa.com. August 4, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ Dagys, John (August 12, 2020). "20 Entries for Michelin GT Challenge at VIR". sportscar365.com. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ "20 Entries for Michelin GT Challenge at VIR". sportscar365.com. 12 August 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ^ a b "2020 IMSA Official Schedule and SR VIR 081220 V1" (PDF). results.imsa.com/noticeBoard.php. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ Bradley, Charles (August 21, 2020). "VIR IMSA: Porsche outpaces Corvette and BMW in practic". motorsport.com. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ Dagys, John (August 21, 2020). "Vanthoor Leads Porsche 1-2 in Opening Practice at VIR". sportscar365.com. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ O'Malley, J.J. (August 21, 2020). "Porsche 1-2 in opening VIR practice". racer.com. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ "03_Results_Practice 1.PDF" (PDF). results.imsa.com. August 21, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ "06_Fastest Lap By Driver_Practice 1.PDF" (PDF). results.imsa.com. August 21, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ a b c O'Malley, J.J. (August 21, 2020). "Corvette tops wet second IMSA practice at VIR". racer.com. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ "03_Results_Practice 2.PDF" (PDF). results.imsa.com. August 21, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ "06_Fastest Lap By Driver_Practice 2.PDF" (PDF). results.imsa.com. August 21, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f "2020 IMSA SPORTING REGULATIONS and SERIES SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 December 2023. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
- ^ "Frederic Makowiecki Wins Michelin GT Challenge at VIR Pole". frontstretch.com. 22 August 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ^ Dagys, John (August 21, 2020). "Porsche Sweeps Front Row for Michelin GT Challenge". sportscar365.com. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ Malsher-Lopez, David (August 21, 2020). "IMSA VIR: Makowiecki's Porsche and Fergus' McLaren take poles". motorsport.com. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ "03_Results_Qualifying.PDF" (PDF). August 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ^ "01_Grid_Race_Official.PDF" (PDF). results.imsa.com. August 22, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "00_Championship Point - Official.pdf" (PDF). results.imsa.com. August 26, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ "03_Results_Race_Official.PDF" (PDF). August 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ^ "2020 MICHELIN GT CHALLENGE AT VIR". racing-reference.info. Retrieved July 30, 2023.