As anticipation fills the California air, the TC America powered by Skip Barber Racing School field is gearing up for the opening round of the season at Sonoma Raceway protected by CrowdStrike. This championship is notorious for serving up fierce competition, with both seasoned veterans and emerging talents battling it out together on track.
The Sonoma hills will echo with the thunderous roar of engines as more than 100 racecars will take to the track across five highly intense championships. As drivers, teams, and fans alike prepare for a thrilling and enticing weekend, there will be no shortage of action.
Among the contenders are a mix of hungry newcomers aiming to make a lasting impression, and seasoned competitors seeking redemption. With new cars making their debut, fresh teammate pairings emerging, and developing storylines about to unfold, the battle for victory promises to be intense and unpredictable across all classes.
TCX Class
The TCX Class is stacked with fierce competition across the board, with top talents returning to the series in search of a championship title. The Rigid Speed duo of Joseph and Lucas Catania will be back in the No. 16 and No. 17 BMW M2 CS (Cup) entries. After finishing as the runner-up the year prior, Lucas Catania in particular will be one to watch as he prepares to challenge for the title once more.
Aaron Kaplan will also be back once again after previously completing a couple of rounds in 2023, this time with the No. 18 Kaplan Racing Systems BMW M2 CS (Cup).
This upcoming year will also introduce some new machinery with the arrival of the Acura Integra Type S, with several competitors poised to compete with this model. Among them is Christopher DeFreitas, who will be competing in his second consecutive year in the TCX Class, equipped with the No. 39 Racers Edge Motorsports Acura Integra Type S. Skip Barber Racing will be fielding two entries with the No. 19 car driven by Cooper Broll, who previously competed in the TCA Class, and Celso Neto stepping up from the TC Class to command the No. 22 car. Mario Biundo also previously competed in the TCA Class the year before, and will be on the grid in the No. 7 LA Honda World Racing entry.
Mike Lamarra and Chris Walsh will also be getting ready to make their mark once more, this time equipped with the No. 73 LA Honda World Racing Acura Integra Type S and the No. 104 Carrus Callas Raceteam BMW M2 CS (Cup).
TC Class
Jeff Ricca’s commanding presence will be felt once more in the TC Class, as the 2023 Vice Champion will be vying for the top spot with his No. 78 Ricca Autosport Hyundai Elantra N1 TC. He will be accompanied by Sally McNulty in the No. 780 Ricca Autosport Hyundai Elantra N1 TC, with Ruben Iglesias Jr. also joining the team with the No. 77 Ricca Autosport Hyundai Elantra N1 TC.
Kris Valdez will also be making his return in the No. 11 DRS Honda Civic Type-R TC and building on his momentum from his Top 5 finishes in the final rounds last year.
MINI JCW Team will be introducing a new teammate pairing for their 2024 chapter, with Cristian Perocarpi gearing up for his third year in the No. 37 MINI JCW Team MINI JCW TC Pro, joined by recent addition Scott Thomson in the No. 66 MINI JCW Team MINI JCW TC Pro.
The grid will also be welcoming Joey Jordan, who will represent the lone Mazda entry in the series with his all-new No. 71 FTG Racing Mazda 3.
TCA Class
The TCA Class will include a double Canadian feature, with PJ Groenke returning for another season of competition in the No. 62 MINI JCW Team MINI JCW, accompanied by Maddy Lemke in the No. 9 Ascent Racing Honda Civic Si FE1. Lemke competed in the final round in 2023 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and 2024 will introduce her first full-season campaign in the series.
Let’s Get Racing
The TC America powered by Skip Barber Racing School field is set to kick off the season during Practice 1 on Friday, April 5th. Click here for the full schedule of the TC America powered by Skip Barber Racing School weekend.
If you can’t make it to Sonoma, be sure to tune-in to SRO’s free live streams all weekend long on YouTube (GTWorld) and Twitch (SROMotorsports) and follow all the action through our social media channels and the event hashtag #GTSonoma.