The Pirelli World Challenge had the racing world buzzing before the 2014 season ever began, with the influx of new top flight teams and marques providing lots to talk about over the winter.
After testing at Estoril, K-PAX Racing, which fielded a pair of bonkers Volvo S60s in GT last year, made the switch to McLaren power for the World Challenge 25th anniversary.
Additionally, Reiter Engineering confirmed Czech veteran Tomas Enge for a full season attack in GT, the fan favourite returning to action after his driving ban, alongside German teammate Albert von Thurn und Taxis, who will compete in GT-A, a new class catering to gentleman drivers seeking the thrill of piloting topflight GT cars in an elite sports car championship.
Acting as a support act on the IndyCar Series bill, the Pirelli World Challenge traveled to St. Petersburg, Florida for the opening round of the 2014 season. Although the TC, TCA, and TCB classes were not to take part, a stout grid of nearly 50 cars hit the streets on Friday morning. Tomas Enge, driver of the #25 Reiter Engineering Lamborghini Gallardo FL2, dominated both practice sessions, reeling off a superb 1:14.688 in Practice 2. Jack Baldwin pulled a similar feat on Friday, topping the timing sheets in GTS in both sessions.
In fact, neither Enge nor Baldwin could be touched throughout most of the weekend, both taking pole position in their respective classes in qualifying on Saturday. Anthony Lazzaro drove the #61 R. Ferri Motorsports Ferrari 458 GT3 to a strong second on the grid, while the young Dane Cameron, who seems to be everywhere at once, placed third in the #94 Turner Motorsports BMW Z4 GT3. Enge, Lazzaro, and Cameron all eclipsed the previous track record.
Defending class winner Jack Baldwin beat out Lawson Aschenbach, driver of the #1 Blackdog Speed Shop Chevrolet Camaro, to grab the GTS pole. Andy Lee rounded out the top three in class in his BestIT Camaro.
Although two races were originally scheduled, inclement weather conditions nixed the opening round on Saturday afternoon. As a result, qualifying times still stood for the second race on Sunday morning, and only single event points were to be awarded.
GT/GT-A Race
Intense Florida sunshine greeted the drivers on race day, a welcome sight after stormy conditions on Saturday. Despite a cancelled race and belated start, the 2014 Pirelli World Challenge season began with a bang. Actually, it began with a dramatic standing start, something sports car racing fans see precious little of. When the lights went out, it was clear that the seasoned World Challenge veterans had an advantage over the newcomers with the somewhat unusual starts, as both Tomas Enge and Dane Cameron rolled away sluggishly, losing several positions, while the Cadillacs of Andy Pilgrim and Johnny O’Connell were shot from a cannon.
By only lap 3, the #8 Cadillac CTS-V R of Pilgrim had fought his way into the lead and would not be easy to catch. But as Pilgrim skipped away from Lazzaro, it was evident that polesitter Tomas Enge was on a charge. Briefly punctuated by a full course yellow from lap 13 to 18, Enge’s storming drive to the front would see him set fastest lap and battle with race leader Andy Pilgrim in the final minutes of the race. With only five minutes remaining, Enge took the lead in turn 1, despite Pilgrim throwing a dicey block. Enge would hang on to take victory in the first round of the Pirelli World Challenge with less than a second separating him and Pilgrim at the finish line. Andrew Palmer rounded out the top three for GMG Racing, an impressive result by the top-finishing GT-A driver.
GTS Race
As has been the case time and time again, GTS provided a gripping battle to the very end, with the #20 BestIT Camaro of Andy Lee holding down the top spot until fellow Camaro driver Lawson Aschenbach took the lead late in the race.
Ernie Francis Jr, a 16-year-old hailing from Dania, Florida, had a brief off at turn 8, although no caution was initiated. However, several laps later, a much bigger incident between the Jim Taggart (GT #7) and Erik Davis (GTS #75) prompted a full course yellow, lasting from lap 13 to 18.
At the restart, Lawson Aschenbach and Andy Lee were left dicing for the lead, which they would continue to do until Aschenbach claimed the victory with less than a second separating the two Camaros. Polesitter Jack Baldwin came home a respectable third.
Located along the scenic Southern California coastline, the exciting Long Beach Street Circuit is the next stop for Pirelli World Challenge competitors. GT, GT-A, and GTS teams will once again compete in the “Roar by the Shore” alongside the IndyCar Series and Tudor United SportsCar Championship, among others. Until then, you can watch the full broadcast on NBC Sports Network on Sunday, April 6 at 5:30 p.m. US EDT.
Beck Duggleby
