After a long and difficult week for the state of Texas, the Pirelli World Challenge journeys to Austin for the penultimate round of the GTS championship. While Hurricane Harvey continues to displace many, Circuit of the Americas has opened its facility to families and RVs escaping the disaster’s aftermath. Hurricane escapees and race fans in Austin will be able to enjoy a weekend at the race track, with the series hosting seven races over the event’s three days.
“Even though we are looking forward to this race we are saddened by the events from Hurricane Harvey,” said Program Manager Darren Law. “This really hits home for me, as my sister and her family live in Houston. Luckily, she is doing fine and her home hasn’t flooded, but it’s been tough on them this whole week. We wish the best to everyone, our thoughts and prayers are with them. As always we feel good about our chances and look forward to the race this weekend.”
Although the season may be winding down, Flying Lizard Motorsports is gearing up for another strong race weekend with its two Porsche Cayman Clubsport MRs. Earlier this month, the team celebrated its seventh and eighth podiums of the season with drivers Rodrigo Baptista and Nate Stacy.
For Brazilan driver Baptistsa, this will again be his first time to the track. As with the rest of the tracks on the 2017 calendar, Baptista has spent hours on the simulator, learning every aspect of the track to aid his learning curve this weekend.
“I am really excited to race at The Circuit of the Americas,” said Baptista. “It is another new challenge for me, and I hope to get a good result in Texas. I will do my best to show off all the potential from our Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR and score more points as possible. I am sorry to hear about the hard time the state is having, and we hope to put on a good show for the people of Texas.”
American driver Nate Stacy has success on the 3.4, 20 turn world class facility, earning a second place finish in 2016.
“We are ready for the second to last race of the season, driving my Flying Lizard Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR at COTA,” said Stacy. “We aren’t far off in the driver points, currently sitting fourth. We have strong podium chances, which will benefit us in the final point standings.”
