This weekend (July 18th- 20th) McLaren Trophy, America returns to the racetrack in Virginia after a two-month hiatus. Making its debut at the 3.270-mile Virginia International Raceway (VIR), the 15-car McLaren Trophy America field will resume battle for rounds five and six.
In the Pro class James Li and Casey Dennis (RWE Motorsport) have a four-point lead over Cooper Broll and Tommy Pintos (Skip Barber). Cooper is a relative novice but is benefitting from having 2023 McLaren Trophy Europe champion and McLaren Graduate driver Tommy alongside him. They’ve yet to take to the top step but have had four podium finishes so far, so it only seems like a matter of time. Meanwhile, James and Casey have won the opening two rounds in their fan favourite Lightning McQueen liveried car and, will be looking to add to that tally this time.
Two wins and a second place at COTA vaulted Alexandra Hainer and Jesse Lazare (Motorsports in Action) into the lead of the ProAm class with a healthy ten-point advantage. Alex became the first female race winner in a McLaren since Mia Flewitt was victorious during British GT’s 2020 visit to Oulton Park.
Behind, there is an intense battle for second place with just four points separating the next three entries. The RWE Motorsport car of John Dempsey & Andrew Davis find themselves sandwiched between the two Flying Lizard Motorsports cars of Brandon Kreutz & Canaan O’Connell in second and George Lawrence & Spencer Bucknum in fourth. It’s going to be interesting to see who can take the fight to Alex and Jesse around the sweeps and turns of VIR.
Putting his race experience to good use is James Sofronas (GMG Racing), as he secured three wins at COTA to move into the lead of the Am class. Keeping him honest however is round one class winner Colin Harrison (Techsport) and, with just six points between them, it’s going to be a battle to watch. Making a podium appearance at COTA was the Race for RP backed car of Neil Langberg and Kevin Madsen. Kevin has a good turn of speed and regularly mixes at the top of the times, so they could also spring a surprise.
Throw into the mix the recently introduced Papaya Cup for the older Am drivers with limited racing mileage, and we’re going to have plenty to focus on when the lights go out.
We’ll have two Free Practice sessions on Friday 18th July at 8am and 1:25pm local time. These will be followed by Qualifying One at 8:05am on Saturday 19th, with Race One at 12:05pm. Qualifying Two will take place at the same time on Sunday, and the green flag will fly on the final race of the weekend at 10:15am.