Info: Greg Franz
949.851.4731
gfranz@competentms.com
Finale at Infineon Raceway; Group Champions Announced
Newport Beach, CA.
November 9, 2010
Pirelli Drivers Cup USA, featuring Porsche 996 and 997 GT3 Cup Cars, is a racing series dedicated to providing a safe racing environment for all participants where on race weekends drivers compete on challenging venues and as a good wine you must be patience and wait for the right time to harvest the grapes and this past weekend in the Sonoma/Napa Valley was the right time for competitive racing.
The final race weekend (November 5th – 7th) for the Pirelli Drivers Cup USA was held at the Infineon Raceway located in Sonoma, California in conjunction with NASA and the INEX World Finals. This event represented the last two races for the season, Race #11 and Race #12, for the series. The Pirelli Drivers Cup US A series experienced an assortment of weather conditions during the weekend which provided some exciting moments for the drivers in determining the Group champions for the season. The backdrop of the wine country provided the new drivers and regulars an opportunity to enjoy the region and their race craft on the track.
The course at Infineon Raceway (2.52 miles) provided a level playing field for both the Porsche 996 and 997 GT3 Cup Cars as the aero package, horsepower, and gearing are per factory specifications requiring the drivers to make the difference.
Qualifying on Saturday morning for Race #11 had the entire field within nine seconds with Steve Goldman (Competition Motorsports) on the poll joined by Rich Walton (Mercer Motorsports) in the first row.
On Saturday afternoon, Race #11 lived up to its expectations and gave everyone an exciting race to watch in determining the Group champions. As the flag dropped, the race to Turn 2 and 3 became a dash for position which carried through the entire race. Group A brought both Doug Baron (911 Design) and Jim Walsh (Jim Walsh Racing) head to head in driving towards the championship…the battle from the very first race of the season until this weekend was in full swing. At the end, Doug Baron prevailed in Race 11th with Jim Walsh in second with the local driver and vintner, John Trefethen (Trefethen Vineyard) in third.
Group B (2006-2009 997 GT3 Cup Car) had a number of series regulars testing each other and the track to find out how to pull a victory out from a very competitive group. At the end Richard Walton stayed in front of Steve Goldman with John Kreig (Aasco Motorsports) finishing out the podium.
Group C (2010 997 GT3 Cup) had Brent Holden (GMG Racing) winning his group and claiming the championship for the season.
Sunday brought a mixture of weather conditions. Morning practice and qualifying were competed in the rain for Race #12…and then the sun came out for the final race of the season providing the drivers with a clean track for the finale. As in Race #11, when the flag dropped, the Porsche GT3 Cup Cars headed to Turn 2 with the pedal to the metal. When the checkered flag came down in the sunshine, Doug Baron lead Group A with Jim Walsh and Lorne Liebel following him to the finish line. In Group B, Rich Walton passed a number of the drivers in winning the race with Fred Poordad (Competition Motorsports) coming in second and John Kreig joining them on the podium. Brent Holden finished in first for Group C and captured the championship.
Also, this weekend the Pirelli Drivers Cup USA announced the 2010 Champions for each Group accordingly:
- Doug Baron (911 Design) – Group A (2000-2005 996 GT3 Cup)
- Rich Walton (Mercer Motorsports) – Group B (2006-2007 997 GT3 Cup)
- Brent Holden (GMG Racing) – Group C (2008-2010 997 GT3 Cup)
The Pirelli Drivers Cup USA staff would like to thank the drivers and sponsors for a great year of racing and excitement throughout the season.
As we go into our 5th season, we are excited about the program we are putting together for the 2011 season which will continue in providing the drivers, race teams and sponsors one of the most competitive racing series in North America.
See you in 2011!!!!
