ST RACING SHINES AT ROUND 4 OF GT WORLD CHALLENGE AMERICA WITH TWO SECOND PLACE FINISHES AT VIR
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ST RACING SHINES AT ROUND 4 OF GT WORLD CHALLENGE AMERICA WITH TWO SECOND PLACE FINISHES AT VIR

June 20, 2023.- Virginia International Raceway witnessed a weekend of exhilarating racing in Round 4 of the GT World Challenge America series. The #38 car, driven by Samantha Tan and Neil Verhagen in the Pro-Am class, delivered an outstanding performance in a weekend that marked Neil’s debut with the ST Racing team in GTWC America, replacing John Edwards.

Race 1 showcased the skill and determination of the drivers as they battled fiercely on track. The #38 car delivered an impressive performance in qualifying courtesy of some hot laps from Samantha and Neil. Starting 7th in class on the grid, the pair put in consistent lap times and stayed out of trouble to fly up the order, securing a remarkable 2nd place finish in the Pro-Am class by the time the chequered flag came out.

The competition intensified in race 2, with the #38 car once again displaying its prowess. Samantha Tan and Neil Verhagen, this time starting 5th overall and 4th in the Pro-Am class, exhibited exceptional driving which, together with the team’s strategic decision-making, allowed them to secure another impressive 2nd place finish, fighting for the overall victory throughout the entire second half of the race.

The results achieved at Virginia International Raceway are a testament to the relentless determination demonstrated by the drivers and the entire ST Racing team. As they continue to compete in the GT World Challenge America series, Samantha Tan and Neil Verhagen are poised to build on their success and strive for even greater achievements in the races to come.

 Samantha Tan, driver/team co-owner: “What a phenomenal weekend for us at VIR with two podium finishes, a fast lap, and hard charger award (started 11th and finished 5th). After so much bad luck, we’ve finally turned it around and got the results! It was Neil’s first weekend with us — I think he fit right in and did an amazing job. The team gave us an absolute rocket to fight with, we kept it clean and brought home two second Pro-Am finishes, one of which was P2 overall. We’re definitely vying for that top step next time at Road America! The boys at STR38 Motorsports had an incredible weekend as well, scoring 3 podiums, a fastest lap, and a very well-deserved hard charger award (Harry and Chandler) for passing 30 cars in race 1.”

Kenneth Tan, team principal: “After all the tough trials and tribulations of the first few races in 2023, we’ve finally been able to pierce through all those challenges and achieve what I always knew our team is capable of doing. We have the talent, the passion, and teamwork to achieve great things together and our performance at VIR really showcased that. Most importantly, we are all having great fun working together and winning. Sam just keeps getting better as a driver and I am so proud of her. Also a shout out to Neil Verhagen for practically flying in at the start of the race weekend and quickly gelling with the team and driving the car to its potential all weekend. Also to BMW Motorsport for their continued support. Here’s looking forward to Road America!”

Neil Verhagen, driver: “Honestly couldn’t have thought of a better way to start with Samantha Tan Racing like we did this weekend in VIR. A huge thank you to everyone in the team for making me feel so welcomed and how easy everyone was to work with! Samantha did a great job all weekend! The team really deserved those two podiums. And on Sunday fighting for the overall win was just awesome! It was my first time racing back on US tracks since leaving to race in Europe and I loved it! Can’t wait to be back and drive again!”

Rounds nine and ten of this year’s GT World Challenge America will take Samantha Tan Racing to Road America on 18-19-20 August. Prior to that, the North American team, once again in collaboration with Rinaldi Racing, will take on the 24 Hours of Spa, the third round of the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup, from June 29 to July 2 at the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.

Brilliant Victory for Camirand at Autodrome Chaudière
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Brilliant Victory for Camirand at Autodrome Chaudière

Vallée-Jonction, QC, June 12, 2023 – Marc-Antoine Camirand claimed his first victory this season with Paillé Course//Racing, as the NASCAR Pinty’s series was at Autodrome Chaudière, in Vallée-Jonction, QC. Camirand got the top spot after a late-race restart, while Andrew Ranger, Alex Guenette and Sam Fellows, who also raced with Paillé Course//Racing colors, had a more difficult race and finished respectively 20th (DNF), 10th and 11th.

 Camirand had an eventful day at Autodrome Chaudière. Early in practice, his Camirand Performance team noticed an oil leak on his brand new oval car, and then chose to switch to the back-up car after practice.

Camirand was the first to qualify, and scored the 11th quickest time. Without absolutely no practice lap with this backup car, Camirand knew he would have his hands full to climb to the top of the field during the 300-lap race.

During the first half, he made the best he could to gain a few track positions, but felt his car was understeering. “We made some adjustments at the break, and when we got back on track, I knew I could battle to climb the field,” said Camirand.

With a little more than 100 laps to go, the second spot and tried to battle with the leader. Camirand lost some time after being caught behind two lapped cars, but fortunately, a yellow flag with 10 laps to go closed the gap with the leader.

At the restart, Camirand was able to stay inside the leader and took the lead with five laps to go.

“This has been an eventful day, and my team worked very hard to have this back-up car ready for the race and make some adjustments at the break. We are so happy to win in front of our family, friends and fans here in Quebec, and we’re hoping to carry this momentum to Newfoundland where we won our first race last year,” concluded Camirand.

The other Paillé Course//Racing drivers had a more difficult race. Andrew Ranger had a good qualifying, starting second at the wheel of his GM Paillé/Chevrolet Canada n° 27 Camaro. He was running in the top-10 for the first half of the race, but unfortunately, Ranger was forced to retire after the break due to a mechanical failure to the rear end.Alex Guenette also experienced a disappointing end of race after being competitive all day. His GM Paillé/ASSA ABLOY n°3 Camaro was third in practice and fourth in qualifying. Guenette ran in the leading pack during the first half of the 300-lap race, but after the break, he felt his car was understeering. Guenette was then hit from behind and spun, so he had to start back from the rear of the field. He tried to make the best of the rest of the race, earning a 10th-place finish.

Finally, Sam Fellows also experienced a strong start at the wheel of his AER Manufacturing/GM Paillé n°87 Camaro, gaining many track positions in the first half of the race. After a penalty sent him at the back of the field after the break, he experienced some trouble and was caught in an incident that severed the nose of his car. He finally scored an 11th-place finish.

Paillé Course//Racing will be back on track with Marc-Antoine Camirand and Andrew Ranger on June 24th, as the NASCAR Pinty’s series makes the trip to Newfoundland, at Eastboud International Speedway, in Avondale, NL.

Unrewarded Efforts for Thomas Nepveu at Autodrome Chaudière
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Unrewarded Efforts for Thomas Nepveu at Autodrome Chaudière

Vallée-Jonction (Québec), June 12, 2023 – It was a homecoming affair for Thomas Nepveu last Saturday, as the young driver made his on-track return in Quebec.

Nepveu was behind the wheel of the #24 Evirum | Home Hardware Nepveu car for the Bud Light 300, a 300-lap event. A large crowd of fans gathered in Vallée-Jonction to cheer on the NASCAR Pinty’s drivers, who were about to make their first appearance of the season on Quebec soil.

The race was filled with obstacles for Thomas, including a run-in with a competitor that resulted in some contact between the two, which sent him spinning around as a result. A secondary spin at the halfway mark further slowed his ascent. In spite of this, Nepveu drove a great race, and took advantage of the opportunity to gain experience on every lap.

“It was a good event,” said Thomas. “We overcame a few pitfalls, for example I got hit twice by competitors, which sent me spinning. On the other hand, I had some good on-track battles, followed by a solid recovery driver to get back on the lead lap.”

He went on to explain that “unfortunately my brakes let go with 8 laps remaining, so I went straight in the first corner, which forced me to retire. I’m very disappointed not to have finished the race, but very pleased with the improvements we’ve made on the car.”

He confirmed that “we had a much more competitive car than we did at Sunset Speedway, which allowed me to concentrate on my driving and gain more experience on oval circuits.”

Top 4 for Kevin Lacroix at Autodrome Chaudière
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Top 4 for Kevin Lacroix at Autodrome Chaudière

Vallée-Jonction (QC), June 11, 2023 – The Autodrome Chaudière in Vallée-Jonction was the host of an action-packed race last Saturday. Kevin Lacroix finished just shy of the podium in 4th place during the 300-lap Bud Light 300.

Lacroix was behind the wheel of the #74 NAPA Synthetic Motor Oil | Valvoline car on Saturday evening, in front of a full house. He finished the morning practice session in 8th position, then went on to set the 6th fastest time in qualifying a little later in the day.

Lacroix started the race from the third row and he wasted no time in moving up the field, battling with the competitors around him. By the halfway mark, he was in the leading pack, and was giving it his all to try to take the win.

“Our car was very fast, probably one of the fastest on the track,” said Kevin Lacroix. “It is quite challenging to overtake at Autodrome Chaudière. I was stuck running two cars wide for the whole race, which made it difficult for me to make progress and move up the field quickly.”

He went on to say that “I was hanging around in 4th place a lot, and when I got back up to 3rd, I didn’t have much time to catch up to the first two cars before the cautions. This scenario played out a few times. As for the restarts, I was starting from the inside line, but the outside line was a bit faster. Therefore I was almost guaranteed to lose a position on each restart.”

“We had a final restart with 4 laps to go. I was running in 3rd but lost my position at that point, but that’s life. I’m satisfied with the event, it went very well overall.”

Kevin Lacroix leaves Vallée-Jonction with valuable points in the bank, enabling him to maintain 3rd place in the overall standings with 122 points, 17 points behind the leader.

The next NASCAR Pinty’s event will be at Eastbound International Speedway in Newfoundland on June 24.

ST RACING OPENS 2023 GT WORLD EUROPE ACCOUNT WITH PODIUM IN PAUL RICARD
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ST RACING OPENS 2023 GT WORLD EUROPE ACCOUNT WITH PODIUM IN PAUL RICARD

5 June, 2023.- Samantha Tan Racing by Rinaldi Racing moved itself back into championship contention with a convincing run to 2nd in-class at the 1000km Circuit Paul Ricard, round two of this year’s GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup.

Following an early end to its GTWC Europe season opener at Monza in April, ST Racing’s second round got off to a promising start when the #38 Ferrari 488 GT3 – driven by team owner Samantha Tan, fellow 2021 24H SERIES Overall GT Drivers’ champion Jon Miller, and Isaac Tutumlu Lopez – qualified 3rd fastest of the Pro-Am runners. The run, good enough for 49th on the overall grid, was banked courtesy of a 1m 55.347s from Jon, the third fastest Pro-Am lap across all three qualifying sessions. Similarly competitive times from Samantha and Isaac hinted towards the Rinaldi-prepared Ferrari’s strong pace around Circuit Paul Ricard.

Carrying his qualifying momentum into the race proper, Jon quickly moved up from 49th to 39th place overall, and 2nd in-class, during the opening laps. A mistimed pass for position by a rival however caused the #38 Ferrari to spin shortly afterwards, dropping ST Racing to the tail of the field and off the Pro-Am podium. Jon though was already back up to 3rd in Pro/Am when he handed the Ferrari over to Samantha shortly before one-third distance.

After a consistent double stint, Samantha, back at Paul Ricard for the first time since 2021, had worked her way up to 38th overall and 2nd in-class before handing the Ferrari over to Isaac for the closing night stage, the 2013 Spanish GT Champion dutifully bringing the car home without incident for the Pro/Am runners-up spot.

With standings leader Barwell Motorsport eliminated on the first lap, the result has catapulted ST Racing with Rinaldi back into Pro/Am Teams’ championship contention in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup. 2nd in-class also marks ST Racing’s best result in an endurance event since the Canadian team claimed Silver class honours at last year’s Indianapolis 8 Hours. 

Samantha Tan, team co-owner/driver: “P2 at the 1000km of Paul Ricard! After a few months of bad luck, especially after Monza, we kept working hard and were finally rewarded with a podium. Rinaldi gave us a great car and we qualified P3! Jon took the start and unfortunately got hit and spun out 20 minutes in, putting us in last. Thankfully, nothing broke on the car and we had an incredible recovery drive and flawless run to the finish. We gave a proper send off to our lovely 488 GT3, as we will now be running the 296 GT3 for the remainder of the season.”

Kenneth Tan, team principal: “Finally we showed our potential. I’m very relieved, I want to thank the Rinaldi Racing team for preparing a very strong car. Looking forward to Spa in our new Ferrari 296 GT3. Forza Ferrari!”

Jon Miller, driver: “We’re thrilled with the result after a hard-fought race. We missed out on the bulk of the pre-season test here with an odd technical problem, and without any laps at Monza we’re still very much learning the 488 GT3. With not much practice time this weekend, and some of it affected by rain, I went into qualifying having to really think differently about my approach. I’m happy to report that things clicked, and even with some traffic in-front of me, I was able to set a lap that I was relatively pleased with. I found some things in the driving style of the Ferrari that helped to extract more out of the car and this peak of this tire. The Rinaldi guys executed perfect stops all night and we’re looking forward to the Spa 24 hour in the 296 GT3 up next!”

Isaac Tutumlu Lopez, driver: “It was a very good race! We knew we had a car with strong pace, I think we did a great job altogether setting the car up to be easy to drive while also making sure it was competitive over the length of a stint. Jon had a great start and Sam backed it up with a solid drive, so we were in a good position when I hopped in the car for my stint. I pushed hard during my first hour while fighting for P2 until the team told me that P3 had a problem and we had enough of a margin to bring it home safe and sound. Happy to achieve this result with the team heading into the 24 Hours of Spa!”

Samantha Tan Racing with Rinaldi continues its GTWC Europe Endurance Cup campaign on 29 June to 2 July on the North American outfit’s second stab at the legendary Spa 24 Hours. Prior to that, both ST Racing and BMW M Motorsport brand ambassador Samantha Tan will be back in GT World Challenge America action with the #38 BMW M4 GT3 on 16-17-18 June, round four of the season taking competitors to the Virginia International Raceway.