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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.

Super Production Challenge series confirms more than 50 entries to its 2023 season
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Super Production Challenge series confirms more than 50 entries to its 2023 season

May 13, 2023.- Super Production Challenge series will begin its 2023 season at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (Bowmanville, Ontario) from May 19 to 21. This will be the first of five events (each consisting of two or three races) for about fifty competitors entered (more than 60 drivers in total).

On the official side, Super Production Challenge also wanted to hire staff with great experience and professionalism. Thus, after the announcement during the winter of the recruitment of Steven Hubert as Chief Steward, the series is pleased to confirm today the presence of Ronald Woltman as Deputy Chief Steward. He replaces Jean-Marc Lavoie in this position.

Ronald Woltman was Series Chief Steward for the last few years, a position he held, among others, in many motorsport organizations throughout his decades-long career as race official. He has notably worked in series such as the Honda/Michelin in Canada, the Indy Lights in the United States, in addition to having been a driver in Formula 1600 and in the Production class.

It should also be remembered that the series’ new Chief Steward, Steven Hubert, has 12 years of experience in Canadian motorsport. A volunteer in his early days at the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières, he was then a flagger and official. He has been Race director in various provincial and national karting championships since 2013, assistant race director at GP3R (since 2022), Porsche GT3 Cup Canada official (2014-15) and for a multitude of other series and events.

In addition to Steven Hubert and Ronald Woltman, Super Production Challenge also reveals the full list of its officials for the upcoming season. We find Dominic St-Jean (President), Patrik Wittmer (Team Manager), Charles Matte (hospitality and set-up manager), Luc Bouchard (timing and scoring), Marie-Jeanne Bouchard (Hospitality, timing and scoring assistant and false grid help), Brigitte Lemieux (registration and stewards help), Ludovic Landry (data analysis), Mike Nilson and Mary McClure (technical inspection), Jean-Pierre Moisan (data retrieval and Tech inspection assistant), Nicolas Gariepy (photographer), Adam St-Amant (social media) and Pierre-Alexandre Gauthier (videographer).

“We have a list of competitors exceeding 50 teams and representing more than 60 drivers. With all these great people, it was also very important to have a solid staff of officials and that’s exactly what we managed to put in place for this 2023 season,” said Dominic St-Jean, president of the SPC series. “I welcome them, drivers, teams and officials,” he adds.

EXCLUSIVE AUTOSPORT LEAVES SEBRING WITH THE USF JUNIORS DRIVER AND TEAM POINTS LEAD
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EXCLUSIVE AUTOSPORT LEAVES SEBRING WITH THE USF JUNIORS DRIVER AND TEAM POINTS LEAD

Team drivers Brienza and Jeffers deliver first team win and five podium finishes

opening round of the 2023 schedule at Sebring International raceway on March 23-24. Driver Joey Brienza showed incredible speed and consistency, starting all three races from the pole, while collecting a pair of runner-up finishes before notching his first series victory in a dominant Race 3 performance. Brienza’s success has put him in the point lead heading to the next event for the first rung of the USF Pro Championships Presented by Cooper Tires ladder. Texan Jack Jeffers was also racing at the front of the pack throughout the event, eventually scoring a pair of third-place podium finishes to sit third in the points. The team has a dedicated quartet of drivers in the series. Erick Schotten in the #90 Exclusive Autosport car and Giovanni Cabrera in the #93 Exclusive Autosport car maximized the event to gain crucial experience, each making considerable progress. As a result, Exclusive Autosport left the Sebring weekend leading the Team Championship standings.

“I am thrilled to kick off the Juniors season with a win, 5 podium finishes, and the team and driver championship leads,” said Michael Duncalfe, Team Principal. “A lot of work has gone into this program, and it was great to celebrate the team’s success at Sebring. The unique part of our Juniors program is that we have drivers with very different levels of experience. That said, I am proud of all four of our drivers as I believe they each, individually, achieved their goals through the weekend. We are going to really keep pushing to develop their skills so we can have all four challenging upfront. We have very positive momentum to capitalize on as we shift our focus over to Barber at the end of April.”

“Race 3 was about how you would imagine it when you go to sleep or when you are in the car 10 minutes before,” Enthused Joey Brienza, driver of the UBS #91. “I made a good start, nothing fantastic, but enough to keep the lead through Turn One. Nicolas (Giaffone) and Jimmie (Lockhart) both pushed hard at the start of the race and applied a lot of pressure, but I was able to hold them off. As soon as I got some clear track, I was able to push. The car was fantastic. Exclusive Autosport did an awesome job with the car and I can’t say thank you enough to them. This win and my two second-place finishes in Race 1 and 2 give us good momentum for the long season.”

“The races started off decent. We didn’t have the pace of the other guys and we fell back a little bit,” said Jack Jeffers, driver of the Corpay Cross-Border Solutions #92. “We were still fighting hard and then they were battling so I was able to catch up a little bit. My pace really came through as I gained more confidence with the car. I was able to get past the two VRD cars and catch the leaders. Giaffone made a mistake at the end that allowed he and Brienza to battle a bit more. I think if we had a few more laps, I could have been there. Overall, a good comeback from what wasn’t an ideal start, especially after grabbing two podiums in my first two starts. I’d like to thank Exclusive Autosport, my parents, and Corpay Cross-Border for getting me here.”

The team will now head back to the shop and prep the cars for Rounds 4 and 5 at Barber Motorsports Park on April 26-27.

CABRERA JOINS EXCLUSIVE AUTOSPORT FOR THE 2023 USF JUNIORS SEASON
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CABRERA JOINS EXCLUSIVE AUTOSPORT FOR THE 2023 USF JUNIORS SEASON

Photo Courtesy of Exclusive Autosport

15-year-old Florida native ready for his USF Pro Championships debut.

BROWNSBURG, IN (February 24, 2023) – Exclusive Autosport is pleased to announce Giovanni Cabrera as their fourth driver in the 2023 USF Juniors Presented by Cooper Tires line-up. The 15-year-old, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida driver is relatively new to racing, but he amassed significant seat time in competitive karting at the AMR Homestead-Miami Motorplex before a planned run through the Lucas Oil School of Racing Advanced Course that led to F4 testing. Giovanni has been preparing for the 2023 season with a focused fitness regiment, testing his #97 Exclusive Autosport Tatuus JR-23, and competing in the YACademy Winter Series with his fellow EA teammates.

“I feel so fortunate to have been introduced to Exclusive Autosport,” Cabrera enthused. “From the very first meeting I had with Michael Duncalfe, I knew I wanted to be a part of this team. I have not had a lot of seat time, however, with just the few test days I have had with the team, including the YACademy Winter Series, I feel confident that I will be ready for the season. I am excited, ready to learn, and ready to keep improving this year. I am so appreciative of everything my parents and family have done to help me get to this level. I am fortunate to have Carico International, Millennium Merchant Services, and Cabrera Racing, who have supported me to make my dream a reality.”

Cabrera’s signing/announcement brings the Exclusive Autosport USF Juniors squad up to four full-season drivers. Cabrera will join his already-announced teammates Joey Brienza, Erick Schotten, and Jack Jeffers in the team’s quest for a 2023 USF Juniors Championship. Giovanni has been taking part in Exclusive Autosport’s off-season testing program leading up to his USF Pro Championships debut next week at the series yearly ‘Spring Training’ held in Sebring, FL.

“It has been a pleasure having Giovanni join our program,” said Exclusive Autosport owner Michael Duncalfe. “He is incredibly eager to learn and work hard to perfect his craft. He has a great family supporting him and we look forward to working with them this coming season.”

ST RACING GEARING UP FOR FULL GT WORLD CHALLENGE AMERICA CAMPAIGN IN 2023
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ST RACING GEARING UP FOR FULL GT WORLD CHALLENGE AMERICA CAMPAIGN IN 2023

January 27, 2023.- ST Racing is pleased to announce it will return to the GT World Challenge America as part of its racing program in 2023.

In a part-campaign in GTWC America in 2022, Samantha Tan Racing completed solid outings at both Sonoma Raceway and the Virginia International Raceway, during which the speed of the team’s BMW M4 GT3 was put beyond doubt, before Samantha Tan, Nick Wittmer and Harry Gottsacker rounded out the season with a Silver Cup class win and a top 10 finish overall at the Indianapolis 8 Hours.

Prior to that, ST Racing’s lofty accomplishments with SRO include both West Pro-Am Cup Teams’ and Drivers’ championships in 2019, and SprintX Teams’ honours in 2020, both as part of the Pirelli GT4 America series.

With momentum on its side, ST Racing will look to further establish the M4 GT3’s credibility on the North American stages in 2023. The #38 BMW will be driven at all rounds by team co-owner Samantha Tan, with her teammates set to be revealed in due course.

Samantha Tan, co-owner / driver: “I’m ecstatic to be back in the GTWC paddock again – this time for the full season! We were met with many difficulties last year which prevented us from competing at the majority of events, but we will once again step up for the challenge this upcoming season. This year, our BMW M4 GT3 will be run by the STR38 Motorsports crew, a team of highly experienced and dedicated engineers/mechanics from around the world managed by a familiar face, Jon Miller. I look forward to another great year of racing with SRO!”

The GTWC is scheduled to begin at the Sonoma Raceway on 30 March to 2 April, followed later that month with rounds three and four at NOLA Motorsports Park on 28-30 April.

Rounds five and six take place on 19-21 May at the Circuit of the Americas. The Texan facility has proven particularly successful for Samantha Tan Racing over the years, with the Canadian team taking SprintX Pro-Am and TC class wins at COTA in Pirelli GT4 America, as well as podium finishes in TC America.

The Virginia International Raceway, another fruitful hunting ground for ST Racing, will host rounds seven and eight on 16-18 June, with the GTWC North America returning to action at Road America on 18-20 August after the series’ summer break. After the penultimate weekend at the vaunted Sebring International Raceway on 22-24 September, the GTWC North America draws to a close at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on 5-6-7 October.