Pirelli GT3 Cup Trophy Finale
By: Brandon J. O'Brien
Image Credits: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images unless otherwise specified
The Pirelli GT3 Cup Trophy USA, in its 11th season, produced intense racing as well as an increasing car count, averaging 33+ cars per event.
The GT3 Class features both the Porsche 997.2 (2010-2013) and 991.1 (2014-2016) versions of the 911 GT3 Cup cars. The GT4 Class features the Caymen GT4 Cup (2016-2017) cars. Both Classes compete on the track at the same time making for a large field and an exciting race. There are also five Championship classes; (GT3, 991) Diamond, Diamond Masters, (GT 3, 997) Platinum, (GT4) Silver, and Silver Masters.
As can be seen by the results no two drivers dominated their respective classes at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
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Close competition for the lead in the waning minutes of Friday's event. Image Credit: 2017 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images |
Russell Ward in the No. 35 Win Ward Racing 991 GT3 came in first on Friday and second on Saturday after being accessed a 30-second penalty for unavoidable contact on the first lap.
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Russell Ward in the No. 35 Win Ward Racing Porsche 991 exiting Turn 5 on his way to winning Fridays event. Image Credit: 2017 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images |
Loren Beggs in the No. 08 911 Design car came in second on Friday and third on Saturday.
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Diamond Title Champion Loren Beggs in the No. 08 911 Design Porsche 991 exiting Turn 5 on Saturday. Image Credit: 2017 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images |
Alex Kirby in the No. 01 Aasco Motorsports car took third on Friday. Kirby was placed as the winner of Saturday's event after Ward's penalty
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Alex Kirby exiting Turn 5 in the No. 01 Aasco Motorsports Porsche 991. Image Credit: 2017 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images |
Other Class winners included:
Diamond Masters (Friday)- Bryce Ward, No. 57 Win Ward Racing 991 GT3
Diamond Masters (Saturday) - Preston Calvert, No. 99 Competition Motorsports 991 GT3
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Diamond Masters Title Champion Bryce Ward in the No. 57 Win Ward Racing Porsche 991 won in Diamond Masters on Friday. Image Credit: 2017 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images |
Platinum (Friday) - Ray Shahi, No. 65 Truspeed Autosports 997 GT3
Platinum (Saturday) - Jim Walsh, No. 96 Competition Motorsports 997 GT3
Silver (Friday) - Sean McAlister, No. 00 Competition Motorsports GT4
Silver (Saturday - Jeff Kearl, No. 26 Rearden Racing GT4
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Friday's Silver winner Sean McAlister in the No. 00 Competition Motorsports Caymen GT4. Image Credit: 2017 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images |
Silver Masters (Friday) - Carl Toffelmire, No. 62 Competition Motorsports GT4
Silver Masters (Saturday) - Laura Ely, No. 09 Competition Motorsports GT4
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Silver Master winner (Saturday) Laura Ely in the No. 09 Competition Motorsports Caymen GT4 breaking for the Corkscrew. Image Credit: 2017 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images |
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Silver Master winner (Friday) Carl Toffelmire in the No. 62 Competition Motorsports Caymen GT4 heading up to Turn 6. Image Credit: 2017 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images
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Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca was the series finale for 2017 with the following Class Champions being recognized.
Diamond - Loren Beggs, No. 08 911 Design
Diamond Masters - Bryce Ward, No. 57 Win Ward Racing 991 GT3
Platinum - Ray Shahi, No. 65 Truespeed Autosports 997 GT3
Silver - Jeff Kearl, No. 26 Rearden Racing Caymen GT4
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Silver Title Champion Jeff Kearl in the No. 26 Rearden Racing Caymen GT4 (GT Challenge car shown) breaking for the Corkscrew. Image Credit: 2017 Brandon o'Brien / Motor Driven Images |
Silver Masters - Steve Goldman, No. 1 Competition Motorsports Caymen GT4
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Silver Master's Title Champion Steve Goldman in the No. 1 Competition Motorsports Caymen GT4. Image Credit: 2017 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images
ENDS
TAGS: Brandon O'Brien, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Motor Driven Images, Pirelli, Pirelli GT3 Cup Trophy, Porsche 991 GT3, Porsche 997 GT3, Porsche Caymen GT4
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