Meyer Shank Racing Claims Victory in High-Stakes Endurance Battle
The latest endurance race delivered a masterclass in precision and speed, culminating in a hard-fought victory for Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian. In a field featuring the world's most advanced prototype and grand touring machinery, the race showcased the relentless pursuit of efficiency and reliability across 70 laps of intense competition.
The event was split between two primary categories: the GTP (Grand Touring Prototype) class, featuring top-tier hybrid prototypes, and the GTD (GT Daytona) class, consisting of production-based grand tourers.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Overall Winner: Renger van der Zande and Nick Yelloly (Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian).
- Winning Car: Acura ARX-06 powered by a 2.4 L Turbo V6.
- Winning Time: 1:40:50.272.
- GTP Podium: Acura took 1st, followed closely by Cadillac and Porsche.
- GTD Winner: Vasser Sullivan Racing with the Lexus RC F GT3.
- Race Distance: 70 laps for the overall leaders.
GTP Class: A Tight Fight for the Top
The GTP class provided the most dramatic action, with the top five finishers separated by less than four seconds. Renger van der Zande and Nick Yelloly secured the win in the Acura ARX-06, narrowly beating the Cadillac V-Series.R driven by Jack Aitken and Frederik Vesti, who finished just 0.818 seconds behind.
Porsche Penske Motorsport demonstrated impressive consistency, securing both third and fourth positions with their Porsche 963 entries. The BMW M Team WRT rounded out the top five, with Sheldon van der Linde and Dries Vanthoor finishing 3.671 seconds off the lead pace.
GTP Technical Standouts
The battle was a clash of engineering philosophies, pitting the 2.4 L Turbo V6 of the Acura against the massive 5.5 L V8 of the Cadillac and the 4.6 L Turbo V8 of the Porsche. While the Acura took the gold, the Cadillac LMC55R engine proved to be a formidable challenger throughout the 70-lap sprint.
GTD Class: Vasser Sullivan Racing Leads the Pack
In the GTD class, Vasser Sullivan Racing emerged victorious. Benjamin Pedersen and Aaron Telitz piloted the Lexus RC F GT3 to the top of the class, completing 68 laps. They were followed by Turner Motorsport's BMW M4 GT3 Evo and a strong showing from Conquest Racing's Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo.
The GTD field was highly diverse, featuring a wide array of manufacturers including Chevrolet, Ford, Aston Martin, and Mercedes-AMG. Despite the variety, the Lexus RC F GT3's 5.4 L V8 provided the necessary edge to secure the class win.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Race Summary and Standings
| Pos | Class | Team | Drivers | Chassis | Time/Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GTP | Meyer Shank Racing | van der Zande / Yelloly | Acura ARX-06 | 1:40:50.272 |
| 2 | GTP | Cadillac Whelen | Aitken / Vesti | Cadillac V-Series.R | +0.818 |
| 3 | GTP | Porsche Penske | Estre / Vanthoor | Porsche 963 | +2.429 |
| 10 | GTD | Vasser Sullivan | Pedersen / Telitz | Lexus RC F GT3 | +2 Laps |
| 11 | GTD | Turner Motorsport | Foley / Gallagher | BMW M4 GT3 Evo | +2 Laps |
Attrition and Incidents
Not every team reached the checkered flag. The race saw two notable retirements in the GTD class. Gradient Racing's Ford Mustang GT3 Evo was forced out after 60 laps due to an incident, while Wayne Taylor Racing's Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo 2 suffered an electrical failure after only 11 laps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the overall race?
The race was won by Renger van der Zande and Nick Yelloly driving the #93 Acura ARX-06 for Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian.
Which team won the GTD class?
Vasser Sullivan Racing won the GTD class with drivers Benjamin Pedersen and Aaron Telitz in the Lexus RC F GT3.
How many laps did the winners complete?
The overall winners in the GTP class completed 70 laps, while the GTD class winners completed 68 laps.
What caused the retirements in the race?
Two cars failed to finish: the #66 Ford Mustang GT3 Evo retired due to an incident, and the #45 Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo 2 retired due to electrical issues.
What engine powered the winning Acura ARX-06?
The winning Acura ARX-06 was powered by the Acura AR24e 2.4 L Turbo V6 engine.