- Fierce competition brewing among the TCX field
- Genracer / Ricca Autosport remain the ones to beat in TC class
- Devin Anderson seeking another double-win for TechSport Racing in TCA
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As the TC America Powered by Skip Barber field prepares to take on the second event of the season at NOLA Motorsports Park, crowds will be waiting under bated breath in anticipation for the action to get rolling. The 2.75-mile, 17-turn circuit will be hosting a total of 22 highly competitive drivers across three classes, all of which will be hunting down the top spot on the podium.
Five manufacturers are represented in the field with Honda being represented in each class with eight entries and German manufacturer BMW also proving to be a top choice for competition with six entries in the TCX Class alone. Other OEM entrants and the 11 teams that carry their banner will aim to prove it’s talent, not numbers that matter most.
TCX CLASS
The TCX field is shaping up to be as unpredictable as ever, much to the excitement of audiences and competitors. Colin Garrett claimed the first win of the season in the No. 44 Rooster Hall Racing BMW M2 CS (Cup), while Kyle Loh fought back to swipe the win in the second race for LA Honda World Racing at the helm of the No. 73 Honda Civic Type R TCX. A driver that should never be underestimated is Lucas Catania, who took home two second-place finishes in the No. 26 Rigid Speed Company BMW M2 CS (Cup).
Fast Track Racing will push harder at NOLA Motorsports Park after narrowly missing out on a podium finish in both prior races, with Adam Gleason finishing fourth in the No. 21 BMW M2 CS (Cup). Meanwhile, AOA Racing also Ian Lacy Racing will be taking their experience and learnings from Sonoma and bringing them into the next round. Dai Yoshihara in the No. 99 VGRT Honda Civic Type R TCX returns for a bout of redemption after a rough welcoming at Sonoma that sidelined him early in the weekend.
TC CLASS
Jeff Rica was the man to beat in the opening round at Sonoma, claiming both victories on board his new No. 78 Genracer / Ricca Autosport Hyundai Elantra N TC. Teammate Sally McNulty had a rougher weekend with MINI JCW Team put up a solid fight, with Clayton Williams finishing runner-up in both races in the No. 60 Mini JCW Pro TC, while his teammate Cristian Perocarpi secured third place in the opening race on board the No. 37 Mini JCW Pro TC. Michael Hurczyn also has a strong showing in the No. 8 VGRT Honda Civic Type R by picking up a podium as well.
Celso Neto, who is commandeering the No. 7 Honda Civic Type R this season, was the top performer from the Skip Barber Racing School team, while the remaining team drivers had mixed results across both the TC and TCA classes. Kris Valdez, occupying the No. 11 DRS Honda Civic Type R will look to apply more pressure toward the front of the field.
TCA CLASS
TechSport Racing’s season started on a high, with Devin Anderson scooping up back-to-back wins in the opening round in his No. 22 TechSport Racing Subaru BRZ. Anderson’s teammate, Shaoyi Che, also had a remarkable opening weekend, accumulating two third-place finishes in the No. 23 sister car.
Spencer Bucknum in particular will be itching for the opportunity to cross the finish line first, as he was just shy of tasting victory in both races. Two second-place results are a great haul of points for LA Honda World Racing, but the team will continue to push forward until they can get the No. 5 Honda Civic Si FE1 onto the top step.
Although it may appear as though the front runners have already been defined, the numerous rookies still getting acclimated to the series. New contenders are on the verge of a breakthrough with PJ Groenke of MINI JCW Team and Ruben Iglesias Jr. of VGRT putting on a show in the opening rounds. Mario Biundo of LA Honda World Racing put up a fight and earned a podium along with his effort.
LETS GO
The TC America Powered by Skip Barber field will take to the track at NOLA Motorsports Park for Practice One on Friday, April 28. Qualifying starts the session Click here for the full schedule of the TC America weekend.
All race sessions are streamed live on the GT World YouTube page. Join Ash Vandelay on Twitch by following the SROMotorsports channel. Vandelay hosts six-hour programs Saturday and Sunday, where she is joined by drivers while chatting with fans and giving an interesting insight into that day's races.
Tickets are on-sale at www.showpass.com/sro-nola with enhanced offerings including the Patriot Car Corral, recently announced car show – NOLA Motor Showoff presented by The Bomb Factory – and trackside camping. Starting at just $10, its fun for the whole family with kids 12 and under free with paid adult.