Walsh, Perocarpi, and Groenke Master Qualifying in Mixed Conditions

Walsh, Perocarpi, and Groenke Master Qualifying in Mixed Conditions
  • Chris Walsh On Pole in TCX
  • Cristian Perocarpi Fastest in TC Class
  • PJ Groenke Starts Fist in TCA
  • Qualifying Final Results

Following early morning rain, the track gradually began to dry as the TC America powered by Skip Barber Racing School took to VIRginia International Raceway for their fifteen minute Qualifying session. 

Chris Walsh was dominant in the TCX class, adding another ROWE Pole Position Award to his tally in the No. 104 Carrus Callas Raceteam BMW M2 CS (Cup). Cristian Perocarpi made a late move to the top of the TC class to secure a front row start in his No. 37 MINI JCW Team MINI JCW TC Pro, with PJ Groenke doing the same in the TCA class in his No. 62 MINI JCW Team MINI JCW. 

TCX Class

Chris Walsh expertly maneuvered his No. 104 Carrus Callas Raceteam BMW M2 CS (Cup) around VIR under damp track conditions, continuously improving on his own times as the session progressed. On his sixth and final lap, he set the fastest time overall with a 2:02.598 to claim pole position for Race 1. 

Celso Neto will start alongside him in his No. 22 Skip Barber Racing Acura Integra Type S, while Cooper Broll and Christopher DeFreitas are set to take the green flag from follow just behind on the second row in their respective No. 19 Skip Barber Racing Acura Integra Type S and No. 39 Racers Edge Motorsports Acura Integra Type S. 

TC Class

It was a tight battle for pole position in the TC class, with three different drivers in the mix. Jeff Ricca claimed the early advantage in his No. 78 Ricca Autosport Hyundai Elantra N1 TC before Joey Jordan went on to leapfrog him in the No. 71 FTG Racing Mazda 3. However, it was Cristian Perocarpi who had the last word, moving ahead into first in the final minutes of the session in his No. 37 MINI JCW Team MINI JCW TC Pro with a time of 2:06.285. 

Jordan followed just a mere 0.089 seconds behind, and Ricca will be starting Race 1 from third place. 

TCA Class

Alex Garcia led for the early part of the Qualifying session in his No. 14 Skip Barber Racing Honda Civic Si FE1, but PJ Groenke made a late charge in his No. 62 MINI JCW Team MINI JCW to clinch yet another pole position. 

Alan Grossberg rounded off the Top 3 in his No. 63 MINI JCW Team MINI JCW. 

Let’s Get Racing

The TC America powered by Skip Barber Racing School field will return to the track for Race 1 on Saturday, July 20th at 11:20 AM ET. 

If you can’t make it to VIR, 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 #GTVIR.