ST RACING SET TO DEBUT NEW FERRARI 296 GT3 AND ICONIC LIVERY AT 24 HOURS OF SPA

ST RACING SET TO DEBUT NEW FERRARI 296 GT3 AND ICONIC LIVERY AT 24 HOURS OF SPA

June 27, 2023 — ST Racing with Rinaldi is thrilled to announce its participation in the highly anticipated 2023 Crowdstrike 24 Hours of Spa. The team is testing today in the run up to the race, where it debuts the all-new Ferrari 296 GT3, accompanied by a striking new livery paying homage to the legendary #112 Ferrari 250 GTO “Lady in Blue” that graced racetracks throughout the 1960s.

 Following a commendable performance last year, where ST Racing finished 9th in class with the BMW M4 GT3, the team is eager to unleash the full potential of their Ferrari 296 GT3 at this prestigious endurance race. The state-of-the-art car, featuring all the latest Ferrari technology and performance, promises to captivate spectators and challenge competitors alike.

 In addition to the captivating new livery and the remarkable Ferrari 296 GT3, ST Racing with Rinaldi is thrilled to announce the inclusion of a new talent to their driver lineup. Leo Weiss will be joining forces with full season drivers Samantha Tan, Jon Miller, and Isaac Tutumlu Lopez. Leo brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record, adding further strength to the already formidable team. Leo was part of the Pro-Am class winning lineup at the Nurburgring 24 Hour in the 296 GT3 with WTM Racing and is regular front runner in the European Le Mans championship.

 With mounting excitement for the 24-hour showdown at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, ST Racing is eagerly poised to kick off the week with a flying start. With the new Ferrari 296 GT3 and a tribute livery inspired by the iconic #112 Ferrari 250 GTO, the team is ready to make their mark on this prestigious event.

 ST Racing invites fans, supporters, and motorsport enthusiasts to witness this exciting chapter in their racing journey. Stay tuned for updates on their progress throughout the race weekend by visiting www.st-racing.org or following us on Instagram @samanthatanracing and Twitter @stracing_team.

THREE PODIUM FINISHES FOR STR38 MOTORSPORTS IN VIRGINIA

THREE PODIUM FINISHES FOR STR38 MOTORSPORTS IN VIRGINIA

June 20, 2023.- The thrilling action continued this weekend during round 4 of the Pirelli GT4 America series at Virginia International Raceway. Race 1 saw impressive performances by the drivers as they battled it out on the track. The #438 car, skillfully driven by Robert Mau and Chris Allen, secured an outstanding 2nd place in the Am class. Additionally, in the Silver class, the #88 car, driven by Chandler Hull and Harry Gottsacker, showcased their expertise, overtaking car after car to claim a commendable 3rd place in addition to the hard charger award.

The competition intensified in race 2, with the #438 car once again demonstrating its prowess, securing another impressive 2nd place finish in class. The #88 car, although narrowly missing the podium, fought until the end and secured a respectable 4th place in class. These results at Virginia International Raceway showcased the drivers’ and the teams’ determination to keep pushing and continue the fight for the 2023 championship.

Chris Allen, driver #438: “A hot weekend down at VIR but thankfully BMW knocked it out of the park with the AC in the M4 GT4. Rob and I showed excellent pace all weekend and were able to lock down two 2nd place podium finishes. Unfortunately, even with those results we lost a bit of ground in the championship. We will continue to fight until the end though. Can’t wait for Road America.

Robert Mau, driver #438: “It was great to be back at my home track. We were quick all weekend and brought home two 2nd place finishes. I was proud to honor Capt Joel Gentz KIA this weekend.

Chandler Hull, driver #88: “VIR treated us nicely this weekend. Harry and I had tremendous pace in our BMW M4 GT4 thanks to the great prep by the STR38 team. Unfortunately, a last minute pre-race penalty was applied on Saturday that erased Harry’s stellar qualifying position. However, that didn’t matter since Harry carved his way through the field after a pitlane start, handing the car off to me in a great position where I was able to capitalize on gaining a few more positions for an eventual podium finish. All in all, we passed 30 cars!!! Sunday wasn’t as good, but we still finished a strong P4 after starting P19 despite most of the race being under a safety car. I’m really looking forward to getting back behind the wheel and finishing up the season with Harry. We have really started to jive well together and I know we will be contenders for more podiums and wins during the rest of the season!

Harry Gottsacker, driver #88: “We had a nice weekend at VIR and have really unlocked some more pace in our M4 GT4. It was nice to grab a podium and hard charger after we were put to the back of the field. I think we will be in a good position to fight for wins in the second half of the season! Thanks to everyone at STR38 Motorsports for a big effort and keep pushing.

STR38 Motorsports has once again demonstrated their ability to compete at the highest level within the Pirelli GT4 America Championship. The team’s dedication, teamwork, and commitment to excellence have propelled them to deliver exceptional results.

STR38 Motorsports would like to thank partners, Cannonball Storage, OVN, Simseats, Ozium, Caza de Oro, MOTUL, HRX and BMW Motorsport for their support. The team is excited for the fifth round of the Pirelli GT4 America Championship, taking place at Road America in Wisconsin from August 18-20, and will look to bring home further wins and podiums as they battle for the 2023 championship.

For more information about STR38 Motorsports and their upcoming events, visit their official website at www.st-racing.org/str38motorsports. Follow the team on Instagram @str38motorsports for updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses leading up to the race.

Brilliant Victory for Camirand at Autodrome Chaudière

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.

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

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.

 

YOUNG CANADIAN DUO DO WELL AT THEIR FIRST OUTING DURING THE 24H LE MANS EVENT

YOUNG CANADIAN DUO DO WELL AT THEIR FIRST OUTING DURING THE 24H LE MANS EVENT

Montreal, QC (June 4, 2023) When the Ali brothers headed out for Le Mans earlier this week, it was agreed that there should be no expectations. The plan was to simply take in the experience at this historical 100th Anniversary 24 Hours of Le Mans, and get accustomed to their new racing career in endurance, after years of karting.

Today, both Adam and Daniel Ali paired up in the 1-hour Ligier European Series’ race, and successfully finished in 7thplace overall, driving their #14 Ligier JS P4 for InterEuropol on the 8.5-mile legendary Le  Mans circuit. The young Canadians enjoyed every moment despite a minor issue leaving the grid.

Seventeen-year old Daniel took the green flag at 2:00 pm local Le Mans time, and quickly worked his way up the 25-car field while dealing with yellow flags and safety car outings.

The Torontonian did a great job keeping up the pace. When older brother Adam jumped in the car for his stint, he put in a great drive and took the checker flag an hour later in 7th place.

“This was my first race of a busy LeMans weekend and it went very well” said Daniel, smiling from ear to ear. “It was difficult as it was my first time racing the Le Mans circuit and also my first time in the Ligier LMP4 race car. But Adam and I were soon able to build up to a quick pace. Although we ended up starting the race from the back of the field, we were able to charge through the field and finish 7th overall.”

Racing at Le Mans in the Ligier European Series this weekend was an incredible experience” commented Adam. “Since I began my motorsports career, I have looked forward to driving on this historical circuit. Even though it was our first race in the car, my brother and I had strong pace throughout the day. Though 2 safety cars hindered our drive from the back of the grid, we were still able to recover to a P7 finish and within a few seconds of the leader by the last lap. Certainly a strong debut in the car and series for me. The support of InterEuropol Competition and my driving coach Colin Noble was of great help this weekend.” 

“Driving at Le Mans has been a dream of mine for a very long time” said Daniel, and I’m very happy that I got the chance to race here at Le Mans. In only a few years I went from watching the race on television hoping to one day watch the race in person, and now I get to compete in the support race. It’s been an incredible adventure so far and I owe it all to my family, BAM Motorsports, InterEuropol Competition, and my driving coach Colin Noble.”

Daniel Ali is now gearing up for his 2nd participation in the Le Mans weekend, where he’ll be competing in the Michelin Le Mans Cup, in two 1-hour races on Thursday and Friday. Stay tuned!