2021
News
5/22/21 - Jamin, McAleer Score COTA Poles
5/23/21 - Snow, McAleer Pick Up Race 2 Win at COTA
6/2/21 - Grahovec/McAleer GT4 SprintX Duo Comes to VIR This Weekend In No. 11 Fast Track Racing/Classic BMW BMW M4 Machine
6/6/21 -Toby Grahovec & Stevan McAleer Win Pirelli GT4 America SprintX Silver Class Sunday in #11 Fast Track Racing/Classic BMW BMW M4
6/25/21 - Trent Hindman, Stevan McAleer Quickest in Watkins Glen Pilot Challenge Practice
6/26/21 - Trent Hindman, Stevan McAleer Quickest in Watkins Glen Pilot Challenge Practice
7/17/21 - Eric Foss, Jeff Mosing Win Lime Rock Park 120; McAleer & Gallagher Second
8/25/21 - After Impressive Pirelli GT4 America SprintX Win at VIR in June, Grahovec/McAleer Duo Looks for More Victories at Road America
8/28/21 - BMW Sweeps Pole Positions for Road America Weekend
9/15/21 - Despite Limited 2021 Racing Schedule, Grahovec/McAleer Duo Set to Contend Again This Weekend at Watkins Glen in Pirelli GT4 America
9/17/21 - Davis, McAleer, Miller Top Second GT4 Practice at Watkins Glen
9/19/21 - McAleer/Grahovec Win Second Watkins Glen Contest
9/19/21 - McAleer & Grahovec Slice Up Watkins Glen Field
9/19/21 - Stevan McAleer, Toby Grahovec Avenge DQ, Win Watkins Glen SprintX Race No. 2
9/19/21 - McAleer, Grahovec Take Come-from-Behind Win in Race 2
9/29/21 - Stevan McAleer & Toby Grahovec Seek Another Pirelli GT4 America Victory This Weekend at Famed Sebring Circuit for Fast Track Racing
10/1/21 - Aston Martin, BMW on Top in Final Practice at Sebring
10/2/21 - BMW Sweeps Sebring Poles with Classic BMW, BimmerWorld Racing
10/13/21 - McAleer/Grahovec, BMW Lead Penultimate Practice Session at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
10/13/21 - Porsche, BMWs Close Out Final Practice Session of the Season
Jamin, McAleer Score COTA Poles
5/22/21
Nico Jamin and Stevan McAleer have claimed overall pole positions for this weekend’s opening rounds of Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America at Circuit of The Americas.
Saturday morning’s pair of 15-minute qualifying sessions, run on a wet track, saw ANSA Motorsports’ Jamin go quickest in Q1 thanks to a 2:21.875 lap time.
It was 0.312 seconds quicker than defending champion Madison Snow in the No. 16 Change Racing Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo Evo.
Richard Antinucci will start third in Race 1 in his No. 27 Dream Racing Motorsport Lamborghini
Antinucci was denied pole for Race 2 in the closing seconds of Q2, which saw McAleer put his No. 16 Change Lamborghini to the top of the time sheets thanks to a 2:21.477 lap time.
It was 0.128 seconds quicker than the Dream Racing Motorsport driver.
Claude Senhoreti qualified third overall in Q2 and was best of the Pro-Am class competitors in his Taurino Racing Lamborghini.
Dream’s Luca Persiani, meanwhile scored the Pro-Am class pole for Race 1, while Trevor Andrusko (TPC Racing) and Giano Taurino (Taurino Racing) picked up the Am class poles.
LB Cup pole honors went to Michael Mennella in the No. 4 MCR Racing Lamborghini and the No. 47 Precision Performance Motorsports entry of Terry Olsen for Race 1 and 2, respectively.
Snow, McAleer Pick Up Race 2 Win at COTA
5/23/21
A penalty for Richard Antinucci handed victory to Change Racing’s Madison Snow and Stevan McAleer in Race 2 of Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America at Circuit of The Americas.
Antinucci, who muscled his way to the Pro class lead with 20 minutes to go by an aggressive pass on Snow in Turn 11, was forced to serve a drive-through penalty for passing under a local yellow.
It relegated Saturday’s race-winning No. 27 Dream Racing Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo Evo to a fourth place finish.
Reigning Pro champion Snow took his No. 16 Change Racing entry across the line for his and McAleer’s first win of the season in a race that ended under full-course caution.
It marked McAleer’s first career Super Trofeo victory which has propelled he and Snow into the Pro points lead.
A heavy crash by the No. 82 Change Lamborghini of Scott Welham halted proceedings with less than ten minutes remaining, with the clock running out of time to restart the race.
The No. 48 Kelly-Moss Road and Race entry of Alec Udell, who was catching Snow prior to the yellow, finished second, ahead of the Prestige Performance with Wayne Taylor Racing duo of Kyle Marcelli and Danny Formal, who completed the overall and Pro class podium in third.
Victor Gomez claimed Pro-Am class honors after a late-race pass on the No. 51 Taurino Racing Lamborghini of Claude Senhoreti.
Senhoreti’s co-driver Loris Spinelli led overall from the start as Max Weering suffered an accident to bring out the first yellow on the opening lap. The race restarted with 36 minutes on the clock.
Ashton Harrison picked up Am class honors in the No. 25 Wayne Taylor Racing entry while Bill Peluchiwski came out on top in LB Cup, marking four different class winners compared to Saturday’s season-opener.
It wasn’t clear sailing for a number of competitors in Sunday’s 50-minute race, however.
The No. 6 O’Gara Motorsport/USRT Lamborghini, which challenged early in the hands of Jacob Eidson, suffered a right-rear puncture and finished just off the lead lap.
Daniel Mancinelli, meanwhile, was forced to serve a drive-through for passing before the start of the race in his No. 11 TR3 Racing Lamborghini, which finished seventh overall and fifth in class.
Saturday’s LB Cup winner Matt Dicken stopped on track during the final, race-ending yellow, dashing any hopes of a repeat podium finish for his Change entry.
The No. 46 Precision Performance Motorsports Lamborghini of Brandon Gdovic and Bryan Ortiz, which picked up Pro-Am class honors in Race 1, rebounded from a drive-through penalty for not meeting the minimum pit stop time to finish third in class on Sunday.
Grahovec/McAleer GT4 SprintX Duo Comes to VIR This Weekend In No. 11 Fast Track Racing/Classic BMW BMW M4 Machine
6/2/21
ALTON, Va. – The combination of Toby Grahovec and Stevan McAleer have returned to the 2021 Pirelli GT4 America SprintX competition after a few seasons driving other machinery. And they are ready for another strong performance with the #11 Fast Track Racing/Classic BMW BMW M4 GT4 sports car this weekend (June 4-6) at the fast VIRginia International Raceway.
Last month at Circuit of the Americas (COTA), Grahovec and McAleer team up for the 60-minute, two-driver action with an impressive showing in the Silver division at the Texas road course. Toby and Stevan, champions in SRO America competition in previous seasons, returned to the Top 3 podium in both features at COTA with second and third place finishes.
In the very competitive Pirelli GT4 America SprintX division, Grahovec and McAleer worked well as a tandem in the Silver category with third in Saturday’s main event and came back on Sunday to improve one more podium step with second in the Silver class.
“It was a delight to drive with Stevan in the BMW M4 GT4 in the SprintX competition,” said Grahovec, who serves as the team manager of the Fast Track Racing team. “I hadn’t been back in the M4 in a long time and it’s always great to get on the podium in those events. The GT4 races are extremely competitive, and you have to be on your game as a driver in those events. It was great for the Fast Track Racing team to get the Fast Track Racing/Classic BMW M4 back on the podium too.
“Stevan and I have won our respective classes at VIR in the past,” Toby said. “Now, we are teaming up and looking to record a victory at the fast VIR road course. We have had fun working together again and the field is strong this weekend. So, we’ll have to have everything in place to score a win.”
Pirelli GT4 America SprintX competitors hit the VIR 3.27-mile, 17-turn race surface this Friday for the opening practice round at 10:30 a.m. EDT. Qualifying is schedule for Saturday beginning at 8:00 a.m. followed by Race 1 at 11:30 a.m. Sunday’s GT4 SprintX Race 2 is set for 11:10 a.m. EDT.
Toby Grahovec & Stevan McAleer Win Pirelli GT4 America SprintX Silver Class Sunday in #11 Fast Track Racing/Classic BMW BMW M4
6/6/21
ALTON, Va. – The duo of Stevan McAleer and Toby Grahovec had an impressive performance last month at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) with two podium finishes in the No. 11 Fast Track Racing/Classic BMW BMW M4 GT4 sports car in a scheduled one-off race in the Pirelli GT4 America competition.
So, Eric Maas, president of Classic BMW, told the guys to take the squad’s BMW M4 GT4 machine to VIRginia International Raceway in search of a victory in the Silver class at the fast 3.27-mile, 17-turn road course this weekend. And the pair didn’t disappoint with a brilliant drive to the winner’s circle Sunday in the 60-minute, two-driver contest.
After a second and third at COTA, McAleer and Grahovec again showed speed with their Fast Track Racing-prepared BMW M4 in the first practice and consistently moved to the top of the charts including battling for the lead in Saturday’s GT4 SprintX event. A small technical issue hurt their chances for the overall win, but they claimed the second position in the Silver category to continue their podium record.
In Sunday’s Pirelli GT4 America feature, Grahovec held a solid slot in the early portions of the event until McAleer then made the charge to the front of the field. A late-race caution hurt Stevan’s chances for an overall victory, but the team scored their first 2021 Silver Class triumph in sensational fashion.
“Stevan drove awesome this weekend and especially in today’s race,” said Grahovec after Sunday’s class victory. “The Fast Track Racing crew were outstanding preparing the car and then running an excellent strategy for us. I’m so proud how this team worked so hard to give us a strong car.”
McAleer, the veteran racer from Cold Spring, N.Y., put in a tremendous effort as he drove through the most of the GT4 field to take the Silver category win Sunday.
“Toby did a great job in the car this weekend and he handled off the car in great shape,” said McAleer, the Scotland native. “I was able to move up in my stint and we got to the class lead when the caution period came out. We made the most of our opportunities and things paid off. I want to thank Eric (Maas) for giving me the chance to race with Toby again in the BMW M4 GT4 car. This crew is an excellent squad and I hope we continue to race more GT4 America events.”
The Pirelli GT4 America future event on the SRO America calendar is scheduled for August 27-29 at the legendary Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis.
Trent Hindman, Stevan McAleer Quickest in Watkins Glen Pilot Challenge Practice
6/25/21
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – Archangel Motorsports’ Trent Hindman was fastest overall in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge practice Friday (June 25) at Watkins Glen International. Hindman’s quick lap at 107.008 mph was set during the mid-afternoon second session.
Practice No. 1
Pilot Challenge teams were on-track bright and early Friday morning. The green came out at 8 a.m. for 60 minutes of practice on Watkins Glen’s 3.4-mile long course.
Spencer Pumpelly, a late addition to Blackdog Speed Shop’s lineup in place of team owner Tony Gaples, was quick early on in his McLaren. Hindman spent much of the session on top of the charts as well. However, it was Notlad Racing with RS1’s Stevan McAleer, driving in place of the injured Matt Dalton, who turned in the fastest lap in his Aston Martin at 106.880 mph with 22 minutes remaining in the session.
McAleer was four-hundredths of a second faster than the BMW of Turner Motorsport’s Robby Foley. Hindman was third quickest, followed by the Supra of Riley Motorsports’ Scott Andrews and Wright Motorsports’ Jan Heylen.
Pumpelly ended up sixth quickest in his McLaren, then Andrew Wojteczko Autosport’s Kuno Wittmer and Rebel Rock Racing’s Robin Liddell. Turner Motorsport’s Bill Auberlen and TeamTGM’s Matt Plumb rounded out the top 10.
Atlanta Speedwerks’ Ryan Eversley was fastest in TCR at 104.723 mph, a full half-second faster than TCR debutant Karl Wittmer for VGMC Racing. Robert Noaker in the second Atlanta Speedwerks entry made it a Honda 1-2-3. Van der Steur Racing’s Denis Dupont and CB Autosport’s Trenton Estep were fourth and fifth, respectively.
IMSA MICHELIN PILOT CHALLENGE TIOGA DOWNS RESORT & CASINO 240 PRACTICE NO. 1 RESULTS
Practice No. 2
In the midday practice session, Hindman set the fastest lap of the weekend 17 minutes into the final session, just after a quick adjustment in the pits. The lap was three-tenths of a second faster than Pumpelly, while McAleer was third. Andrews was fourth, while McCann Racing’s Andrew Davis was fifth in his Audi.
Heylen was sixth in the sole Porsche in the field. Murillo Racing’s Eric Foss was seventh, followed by Plumb and Dillon Machavern in the Turner Motorsport No. 95 BMW. Motorsport In Action’s Spencer Pigot was 10th fastest.
In TCR, Eversley was once again fastest in his Honda Civic Type-R TCR. He was a little faster in the second session, setting a lap at 104.950 mph to top the class in 23rd overall. Eversley’s lap was once again more than half a second faster than anyone in the class. This time, it was Estep in his Hyundai Veloster N TCR that was second. Noaker was third quickest, then Copeland Motorsports’ Tyler Maxson and VGMC Racing’s Victor Gonzalez Jr.
There were no red flags during either of the two practice sessions. The opening session did see a couple of spins, but nothing serious.
The second session saw FASTMD Racing’s Alexandre Papadopulos slide off-course and nose his Audi into the barriers. He was able to drive his Audi back to the paddock, but the team’s Audi R8 LMS GT4 had a damaged nose and splitter.
Stevan McAleer, Patrick Gallagher Win Tioga Downs Casino Resort 240
6/26/21
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – Notlad Racing by RS1’s Stevan McAleer made a sweeping move to get past Turner Motorsport’s Bill Auberlen exiting the Inner Loop with less than four minutes to go Saturday afternoon (June 26). From there, McAleer was able to earn himself and teammate Patrick Gallagher the overall victory in the Tioga Downs Casino Resort 240 at Watkins Glen International.
Saturday’s Tioga Downs Casino Resort 240 was far from a clean race. The first couple of hours were full of substantial incidents that will affect the ability for these teams to be able to come back on Friday.
In the opening laps, Roadshagger Racing’s Gavin Ernstone spun and hit the barrier in turn 7 after contact from TeamTGM’s Ted Giovanis. Giovanis garnered a drive-through penalty for accident responsibility. Ernstone ended up with suspension damage that required intervention behind the wall. Ernstone and teammate Jon Morley would eventually finish 52 laps down in 31st overall, 11th in TCR.
Shortly afterwards, Rebel Rock Racing’s Frank DePew went wide exiting turn 8 and lost control of his Camaro. The result here was that DePew went hard into the wall to bring out the first yellow. DePew got out of the car under his own power, but appeared to be walking with a limp. The Camaro was not ok.
A few laps after the restart, Michael Johnson had contact with Bryan Herta Autosport’s Taylor Hagler, spinning Hagler into the gravel trap in turn 10. That brought out another yellow and cost Hagler a lap while she had to wait until she was pulled out.
The biggest crash of the race occurred early in the second hour when FASTMD Racing’s Alexandre Papadopulos spun exiting turn 1 and went hard into the outside Armco barrier. Behind Papadopulos, Copeland Motorsports’ Tyler Gonzalez went wide in turn 1. He had to swerve back towards the racing surface in order to avoid Papadopulos. At the same time, TeamTGM’s Owen Trinkler and Gonzalez’s teammate AJ Muss collided, pushing Muss into Gonzalez. Gonzalez then spun and hit the wall head-on. Both Papadopulos and Gonzalez were able to walk away from their crashes, but they were done for the day.
Andrew Wojteczko Autosport’s Kuno Wittmer started from the pole, but very quickly lost the advantage on the first lap to Blackdog Speed Shop’s Michael Cooper. McAleer slid into second, putting Wittmer back to third.
The early cautions opened up a series of different pit strategies. The second caution for Hagler’s spin brought the leaders to pit road. Motorsports in Action’s Spencer Pigot chose not to stop and took over the advantage.
Once things calmed down, the race was going to come down to a couple of different teams. One was the Notlad Racing with RS1 Aston Martin. Another was a similar Aston Martin for Archangel Motorsports.
Riley Motorsports’ Scott Andrews crashed with 52 minutes to go to bring out a long caution. This saw the leaders make their final stops. Trent Hindman led the field to pit road, but made an error. He committed to pit road too late. This led to a costly drive-through penalty later on.
Repairs to the Armco barrier resulted in a 30-minute caution period. The race restarted with 22 minutes remaining and Hindman leading Turner Motorsports’ Bill Auberlen. At the time of the penalty, Hindman had a five-second lead on Auberlen. Once the penalty was served, Hindman was back to the rear of the top 10.
Auberlen had a couple of seconds over McAleer, but McAleer was able to slowly run Auberlen down. The battle for the win was relatively short. It took McAleer about half a lap to make the pass for the win.
McAleer and Gallagher’s margin of victory was just over a second over Auberlen and Dillon Machavern. Pigot and Sheena Monk ended up third, followed by Wright Motorsports’ Jan Heylen and Ryan Hardwick. TeamTGM’s Hugh and Matt Plumb were fifth.
Eric Foss, Jeff Mosing Win Lime Rock Park 120; McAleer & Gallagher Second
7/17/21 (via Frontstretch.com)
LAKEVILLE, Conn. – Murillo Racing’s Eric Foss took the overall lead away from FCP Euro’s Michael Hurczyn with 25 minutes remaining Saturday afternoon (July 17). While Hurczyn held up the pack while trying to stretch his fuel to the finish, Foss pulled away from the field to give himself and teammate Jeff Mosing the victory in the Lime Rock Park 120. It is the duo’s first overall victory after 5.5 years of racing in the Grand Sport class.
The early portions of the race were a stop-and-go affair. Notlad Racing by RS1’s Patrick Gallagher led from the pole, but fellow front row starter Bill Auberlen made an error. He switched lanes prior to the start-finish line, which resulted in a drive-through penalty. That moved TeamTGM’s Hugh Plumb up to second in his Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R.
Then, the problems started. First, JDC-Miller MotorSports’ Chris Miller spun in Big Bend after contact from KMW Motorsports with TMR Engineering’s Roy Block. Block eventually received a drive-through penalty for the contact. Copeland Motorsports’ AJ Muss and Van der Steur Racing’s Rory van der Steur both went off into the wet grass to avoid Miller. Both cars ended up making significant contact. Muss’ Hyundai nearly had the right rear wheel fall off, but he was able to drag it back to the pits. Both Muss and van der Steur were effectively out on the spot. In van der Steur’s case, he had qualified second, but lost that after failing post-qualifying inspection. An excellent weekend was ruined.
Shortly after the restart, Motorsports In Action’s Sheena Monk tried to make a move on the outside in Big Bend around the Audi of McCann Racing’s Michael McCann Jr. No contact was made, but Monk went wide into the grass and slid into the tires to bring out another yellow. Monk was out on the spot due to steering rack damage.
Following additional spins for Alexandre Papadopulos and Vin Barletta, Rebel Rock Racing’s Frank DePew slid off -course and nosed into the tires to bring out another yellow. All of these incidents occurred in the same corner.
DePew’s crash occurred after the 40-minute mark of the race, allowing everyone to pit for tires, fuel and a driver change. Despite serving the drive-through penalty, Auberlen had worked his way up to sixth after exiting the pits in 25th overall. That allowed Turner Motorsport to use some pit strategy. A two-tire stop while switching to Dillon Machavern let the No. 95 BMW move up to the overall lead ahead of Stevan McAleer in the Notlad Aston Martin.
McAleer pressured Machavern for many laps after the restart before McAleer was able to make the pass exiting Big Bend with 55 minutes to go. That advantage was short-lived as the final round of pit stops was quickly approaching. The stops resulted in a number of different strategies being in play. FCP Euro’s Hurczyn had made a second pit stop during the caution for the DePew crash. The intention was to run the remaining 78 minutes to the finish from there, normally well out of the range of a GT4 car.
Hurczyn had a rather substantial lead over the rest of the field until a caution flew with 37 minutes to go when Bryan Herta Autosport’s Parker Chase appeared to cut his left front tire and slid into the barrier in the Climbing turn.
The yellow closed the pack back together and put HTP Winward Motorsport’s Alec Udell on his tail. Udell could not get past Hurczyn, but a stackup occurred shortly after the restart on the frontstretch. Foss made a during move to the inside of three-wide to move up to second.
Foss needed only a couple of laps to run down Hurczyn and overtake him for the lead with 22 minutes to go. From there, Foss quickly expanded his advantage. In three laps, he had a five-second lead over Hurczyn as Udell tried but couldn’t get past. Eventually, McAleer was able to get by Udell and Hurczyn to get to second. By that point, McAleer was eight seconds behind with 13 minutes to go.
Over the final laps of the race, McAleer was between one and three-tenths of a second faster than Foss. However, the margin was simply too great to overcome as Foss and Mosing gave Murillo Racing their first v
Foss and Mosing’s margin of victory was 9.295 seconds over Gallagher and McAleer. McAleer also indicated to Frontstretch after the race that the team plans to compete in all of the remaining Michelin Pilot Challenge events with the exception of the race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in September. Saturday’s race was their first two-hour event of the season.
After Impressive Pirelli GT4 America SprintX Win at VIR in June, Grahovec/McAleer Duo Looks for More Victories at Road America
8/25/21 (via GT4-America.com)
ELKHART LAKE, WI – Road America has always been a playground for sports car driver Toby Grahovec.
The Chicago native grew up with his father, Duane, competing at the legendary four-mile road circuit and his family spending weekends in the Elkhart Lake area. After a successful high school and college (Robert Morris University) hockey career, Grahovec moved into sports car racing himself.
Grahovec, who now resides in Celina, TX, is a major player in the sports car racing world as a top competitor and team manager of the Fast Track Racing/Classic BMW team which comes to Road America this weekend (Aug. 27-29) for the SRO America action.
Few drivers in the Pirelli GT4 America presented by CrowdStrike SprintX field (40 cars) have the experience of Grahovec at the famed Elkhart Lake racing facility and, when Toby teams with his co-driver Stevan McAleer this weekend, the duo must be listed as a favorite to capture the GT4 Silver division in the doubleheader races set for Saturday and Sunday.
Grahovec and McAleer scored an impressive victory in the recent GT4 America SprintX event at VIRginia International Raceway in the Silver class in the 60-minute, two-driver affair at the fast 3.27-mile, 17-turn road course with their No. 11 Classic BMW BMW M4 GT4 sports car.
“We have been running well with the Classic BMW BMW M4 car in recent races and the win at VIR was big for the whole Fast Track Racing team,” said Grahovec. “We didn’t run the first two races of the season, but we have been on the podium in the last four Silver events with the VIR victory. So, we are expecting to continue that trend at one of my favorite racetracks. It would be awesome to win again at Road America. That place is legendary.
“Stevan drove awesome in the VIR races. The Fast Track Racing crew were outstanding preparing the car and then running an excellent strategy for us. I’m so proud how this team worked so hard to give us a strong car.”
McAleer, the Scotland native who has become a world-class racing coach, is no stranger to Road America either with a successful career in a variety of sports cars. McAleer has been busy in SRO America and IMSA road racing this year.
“It’s been a long time out the BMW M4 GT4 car,” said McAleer. “The other series (IMSA) I race in are actually coming close to an end and SRO is just beginning. We are not even halfway through the season yet, so I am certainly very excited to get back in Classic BMWs M4 GT4 and chase this championship with Toby. I haven’t checked the weather, but I wouldn’t mind a splash of rain out there with this 40-car field.”
“At VIR, we made the most of our opportunities and things paid off. I want to thank Eric (Maas, Fast Track Racing team owner) for giving me the chance to race with Toby again in the BMW M4 GT4 car. This crew is an excellent squad and I hope we continue to win more GT4 America events.”
BMW Sweeps Pole Positions for Road America Weekend
8/28/21 (via GT4-America.com)
ELKHART LAKE, Wisc. - Stevan McAleer in the #11 BMW M4 GT4, driving for Classic BMW, will start on pole in the Silver category for Pirelli GT4 America Round 7 from Road America. The session was shortened with a red flag for a car stuck in the gravel at turn 3, which resulted in drivers only having two laps to set a fast time. McAleer ran a time of 2:26.967, 0.293 seconds ahead of Silver class competitor Tim Barber in the #22 CCR Racing/Team TFB BMW M4. Kenny Murillo’s Murillo Racing #72 Mercedes AMG will start third in Silver, and fourth overall.
In Pro-Am, it was the #52 Auto Technic Racing BMW M4 of Tony Capizzi that won pole for the category, starting fifth overall with a time of 2:28.691. James Clay in the #36 BimmerWorld Racing BMW M4 will start eighth overall, but second in the Pro-Am class. Matt Travis will start third in class, ninth overall, in his #47 NOLASPORT Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CLUBSPORT MR.
The Capstone Motorsports #16 Mercedes AMG will start on pole in the Am class and third overall after a lap of 2:28.143 by driver Kris Wilson. Their closest Am rival, the #5 Motorsport USA McLaren 570S GT4 driven by Michael McAleenan, will start thirteenth overall.
The Round 8 pole belongs to the #119 Stephen Cameron Racing BMW M4 GT4 driven by Gregory Liefooghe, with a fast time of 2:18.099, up 0.3 seconds over Bill Auberlen in the #34 BimmerWorld Racing BMW M4, both in the Pro-Am class. Kenton Koch in the #15 BSport Racing Aston Martin Vantage AMR will start third in class and overall.
The first car in the Silver category, and eighth overall was the #40 PF Racing Ford Mustang GT4 driven by Chad McCumbee, with a time of 2:19.390. Christian Szymczak starts second in Silver, thirteenth overall, in the #72 Murillo Racing Mercedes AMG.
In the Am class, the quickest driver was Russell Walker in the #46 NOLASPORT Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CLUBSPORT MR, followed by John Geesbrecht in the #68 Smooge Racing Toyota GR Supra, who will start 22nd overall.
Despite Limited 2021 Racing Schedule, Grahovec/McAleer Duo Set to Contend Again This Weekend at Watkins Glen in Pirelli GT4 America
9/15/21 (via GT4-America.com)
WATKINS GLEN, NY – Stevan McAleer and Toby Grahovec have proven to be a successful pairing in the Pirelli GT4 America road racing action this year despite competing on a very limited basis.
The two veteran sports car drivers, who both have captured series championship during their careers, weren’t sure they would be competing in the GT4 races this year when the SRO America tour began in March at Sonoma, CA.
The Fast Track Racing organization decided to make the late start on the national tour and the drivers of the No. 11 Classic BMW BMW M4 GT4 sports car made an immediate impact in the Silver class in GT4 America.
With one GT4 Silver victory (at VIR), two runner-up finishes and one third place, McAleer and Grahovec now come to the historic Watkins Glen International road circuit in upstate New York this weekend (Sept. 17-19). McAleer, the Scotland native who now resides in Cold Spring, NY, has been successful at the Glen’s 3.4-mile road course through his career including wins in IMSA and SRO. Grahovec has won numerous races at Watkins Glen as well.
The McAleer/Grahovec pairing for this weekend’s Pirelli GT4 America doubleheader races expect to be a contending duo in the Saturday and Sunday’s 60-minute, two-driver contests at the Glen. Saturday’s main event will get underway at 11:30 a.m. EDT with Sunday’s feature set for 11:00 a.m. EDT.
“We started the season a little late, but Stevan and I have had several good runs with our Fast Track Racing-prepared Classic BMW BMW M4 GT4 car,” said Grahovec, who also serves as team manager for Fast Track Racing. “We have been one of the fastest cars in the series with the M4, and we expect that to continue this weekend at Watkins Glen. Both of us know the track very well and we’ll work hard to get the proper setup for the fast portions of the circuit. I think our BMW M4 will be strong.”
A 33-car Pirelli GT4 America field is entered for this weekend’s doubleheader 60-minute races and McAleer believes the No. 11 Classic BMW BMW M4 GT4 machine can run at the front of the pack.
“We have had a strong car in GT4 this year,” said McAleer. “We won at VIR (VIRginia International Raceway) and had a fast car at Road America. Unfortunately, we had a couple of mechanical issues that hurt our races at Road America. I think Watkins Glen will be a good circuit for our BMW M4 GT4 machine.
“This Fast Track Racing crew is an excellent squad and I hope we continue to win more GT4 America events. It’s another big field and we want to qualify well to start the races at the front. It’s always fun to race at a legendary circuit like Watkins Glen.”
Davis, McAleer, Miller Top Second GT4 Practice at Watkins Glen
9/17/21 (via GT4-America.com)
Watkins Glen, NY - The second practice for Pirelli GT4 America finished under late afternoon sun at Watkins Glen International. The fastest lap of 1:55.791 was set by the #2 Aston Martin Vantage AMR driven by Andrew Davis for GMG Racing in the Pro-Am category. The #930 Audi R8 LMS GT4 driven by Tom Dyer for Carbahn was second quickest in the Pro-Am class, followed by the #79 Mercedes-AMG of Kyle Marcelli of RENNtech Motorsports.
The quickest drivers in the Silver class in the second practice was the #11 BMW M4 of Stevan McAleer, driving for Classic BMW, with a time of 1:56.146, fast enough for third overall. The next competitor in class, the championship leading #72 Mercedes AMG of Christian Szymczak, was 13th overall. In third, the #062 Aston Martin Vantage AMR of Ryan Dexter was just four thousandths behind Murillo. The #062 Aston Martin is currently tied for third with the #94 BMW M4 from BimmerWorld Racing in Silver class points.
As in the first practice, quickest in the Am category was the #09 Aston Martin Vantage AMR of Mikel Miller, driving for Automatic Racing, who set a time of 1:57.071. The next quickest car in class was the #46 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CLUBSPORT MR driven by Russell Walker for NOLASPORT, followed by the third place #619 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CLUBSPORT MR of Thomas Merrill, driving for Stephen Cameron Racing.
McAleer/Grahovec Win Second Watkins Glen Contest
9/19/21 (via Racer.com)
The Classic BMW Silver pair of Stevan McAleer and Toby Grahovec (No. 11 BMW M4 GT4) won the second contest at Watkins Glen. Gray Newell and Ian James (No. 24 Heart of Racing Aston Martin AMR GT4) captured the Pro-Am class win, while Smooge Racing’s John Geesbreght and Kevin Conway (No. 68 Toyota GR Supra GT4) took the Am class.
The start of the second Pirelli GT4 America race of the weekend from Watkins Glen International started with a spectacular pack of cars, three and four wide, entering the first of 11 corners at the classic circuit in the Finger Lakes region of New York. The No. 66 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CLUBSPORT MR of Spencer Pumpelly took the lead early, while the No. 120 Porsche from Premier Racing drove to second with Elliot Skeer behind the wheel. The No. 119 BMW M4 of Gregory Liefooghe slipped backwards in the frantic start.
After a penalty in the first race of the weekend dropped the No. 11 BMW M4 from Classic BMW with Toby Grahovec and Stevan McAleer to the rear of the field for the second race, Grahovec had to claw his way through a busy field, battling the orange No. 72 Mercedes-AMG from Murillo Racing with Christian Szymczak behind the wheel. Three Aston Martin Vantage AMRs trailed the leading Porsches of Pumpelly and Skeer – the No. 59 of Owen Trinkler, the No. 15 of Kenton Koch, and the No. 50 of Aaron Povoledo. The three Aston Martins raced amongst themselves within the top 5 in the first 10 minutes of the race, until Koch slid off course and back several spots with grass covering the nose of his BSport Racing Aston Martin.
The initial slide rearward of the No. 119 BMW of Gregory Liefooghe was corrected after 15 minutes, with Liefooghe climbing up inside the top five, on a mission to reclaim lost positions. Up front, Aaron Povoledo ran down the No. 66 of Pumpelly in his brand new 3R Povoledo Racing Aston Martin Vantage AMR. A full-course yellow for a stopped car in the bus stop paused the battle until the green flag flew, just minutes prior to the mandatory driver change and pit stop.
While the first group of cars hit pit lane to swap drivers, the No. 66 TRG Porsche with Pumpelly behind the wheel tried to keep the No. 50 of Povoledo behind him, but Povoledo passed the No. 66 in Turn 1 with 30 minutes remaining. Christian Szymczak and the No. 062 Aston Martin Vantage AMR from Dexter Racing made contact exiting the inner loop; the cars were not significantly damaged. After the driver change, the No. 59 Aston Martin of Paul Terry with WR Racing made contact with the No. 50 of Ross Chouest, moments after Chouest took over the No. 50 from the race lead. Both cars spun in Turn 8, forcing the No. 59 to pull off track.
With 22 minutes remaining, the No. 79 Mercedes-AMG of Christopher Gumprecht stalled near the inner loop. The race continued with the No. 11 BMW M4 of Stevan McAleer climbing to the top of the order. With 12 minutes to go, the No. 66 Porsche of Derek DeBoer and the No. 120 Porsche of Adam Adelson collided, forcing a full-course yellow that would eventually end the race. The No. 15 BSport Racing Aston Martin of Bryan Putt led in the Pro-Am class as the caution flew, but had time added due to an infraction that allowed the No. 24 Heart of Racing Aston Martin driven by Gray Newell and Ian James to win for the first time in the Pro-Am category of Pirelli GT4 America.
McAleer & Grahovec Slice Up Watkins Glen Field
9/19/21 (via SpeedSport.com)
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. - The Classic BMW Silver pair of Stevan McAleer and Toby Grahovec won for the second time in as many days during Sunday's GT America event at Watkins Glen Int'l.
After a penalty in the first race of the weekend dropped the No. 11 BMW M4 of Grahovec and McAleer to the rear of the field for the second race, Grahovec had to claw his way through a busy field. It took them nearly the entire race, but with roughly 20 minutes left McAleer drove the No. 11 entry into the race lead after the drive swap.
With 12 minutes to go, the No. 66 Porsche of Derek DeBoer and the No. 120 Porsche of Adam Adelson collided, forcing a full-course yellow that would eventually end the race. The No. 15 BSport Racing Aston Martin of Bryan Putt led in the Pro-Am class as the caution flew, but had time added due to an infraction that allowed the #24 Heart of Racing Aston Martin driven by Gray Newell and Ian James to win for the first time in the Pro-Am category.
Smooge Racing's John Geesbreght and Kevin Conway, sharing the No. 68 Toyota GR Supra GT4, took the Am class.
Stevan McAleer, Toby Grahovec Avenge DQ, Win Watkins Glen SprintX Race No. 2
9/19/21 (via Fontstretch.com)
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – Classic BMW’s Stevan McAleer and Toby Grahovec woke up Sunday morning (Sept. 19) and discovered that they’d lost their class victory and second-place finish from Saturday in technical inspection. The goal quickly became to get it back.
McAleer was able to get past BSport Racing’s Bryan Putt for the lead with 19 minutes to go. From there, he held on to win Pirelli GT4 America SprintX Race No. 2 at Watkins Glen International.
“Toby [Grahovec] passed a lot of good drivers and cars, which really helped me once I got in,” McAleer told Frontstretch in victory lane. “We pitted at the minimum drive-time. I was fortunate to get four or five clean laps before we really started to see the swapover with the other drivers.
“We leap-frogged a lot of drivers already on pit road and we had more pace. [Stephens] was keeping us honest. I felt pretty confident that I could have held him off.”
The Racers Group’s Spencer Pumpelly won the pole on Saturday and managed to pull out a decent lead early on. Behind him, Elliott Skeer in the Premier Racing Porsche was close behind. Due to the penalty, Grahovec had to start from the very rear of the field. In the first half of the race, Grahovec was able to move up from 30th to 15th.
Behind Pumpelly, the man on the move was 3R Povoledo Racing’s Aaron Povoledo. Povoledo started fourth and moved himself up into second 13 minutes into the race. Once past Skeer, Povoledo turned in the fastest laps of the race to run down Pumpelly within two laps.
However, before Povoledo could make the move, Stephen Cameron Racing’s Greg Liefooghe had his hood come up on the backstretch, blocking his vision. Liefooghe pulled off at the Inner Loop, but not in a safe position. This brought out the first yellow of the race.
The restart came right before the mid-race pit window. Grahovec was among those who pitted as soon as possible in order to hand over to McAleer. This gave McAleer some open running before the pack came back together.
Povoledo took the lead away from Pumpelly in the middle of the pit window. Ultimately, Povoledo and Pumpelly ran for an additional eight minutes before making their stops.
Unfortunately, 3R Povoledo Racing’s newness hurt them. The team didn’t even exist three weeks ago at the last round. The pit stop ended up being botched, which cost Ross Chouest dearly. By the time the stops were complete, Chouest was down to fifth.
That wasn’t the end of Chouest’s problems. On his out lap, WR Racing’s Paul Terry made a move for position in turn 8. Contact was made, resulting in both Aston Martins spinning out. Terry was out due to a suspension issue, but Chouest was able to continue. Chouest and Povoledo finished 20th (ninth in Pro-Am), not a reflection of how they raced.
An excellent pit stop gave Putt the lead with a three-second advantage over Derek DeBoer. McAleer completed the stop sequence in seventh, then gained two spots when Chouest and Terry wrecked.
McAleer then knocked off his foes, one by one. Michai Stephens in the Conquest Racing West Mercedes followed suit. The pass for the lead came in turn 1, just a couple of laps after the pit window closed.
The race was setting up to be a nice battle for the win between McAleer and Stephens, but the race effectively ended with 12 minutes to go. The leaders ran up on the slow BMW of Paul Sparta in the Boot. DeBoer was three-wide with Ryan Dexter and Tim Barber when they approached Sparta. Barber had to avoid Sparta, creating a squeeze play.
Contact was made between the three cars, resulting in DeBoer spinning and hitting the Armco hard. He then spun across the track and was hit by Adam Adelson. This put the race under yellow, where it finished.
Stephens and Colin Mullan ended up second, while Putt and Kenton Koch were third at the line. However, a post-race drive-through penalty was assessed to Putt’s Aston Martin that dropped the team back to 17th overall. That elevated the Heart of Racing Team’s Ian James and Gray Newell to third overall. BimmerWorld Racing’s Bill Auberlen and James Walker came from the rear to finish fourth, while Saturday’s winners from AutoTechnic Racing, John Capestro-Dubets and Tom Capizzi, were fifth.
McAleer and Grahovec won the Silver class over Stephens and Mullan. Barber and Cole Ciraulo were third in class, followed by Ryan and Warren Dexter and Murillo Racing’s Kenny Murillo and Christian Szymczak.
James and Newell won the Pro-Am class in third overall. Walker and Auberlen were second, then Capestro-Dubets and Capizzi. Point leaders Jason Hart and Matt Travis from NOLAsport were fourth, while Rennsport One’s Charlie Bellaurdo and Trent Hindman were fifth.
The Am class was won by SMOOGE Racing’s Kevin Conway and John Geesbreght in 14th overall. Capstone Motorsports’ Kris Wilson and John Allen were second after a late charge. NOLAsport’s David and Russell Walker were third.
McAleer, Grahovec Take Come-from-Behind Win in Race 2
9/19/21 (via SportsCar365.com)
Stevan McAleer and Toby Grahovec have claimed a come-from-behind victory in the second Pirelli GT4 America race of the weekend at Watkins Glen International.
The Classic BMW duo took overall honors in the 60-minute race, which ended under a full-course caution for a heavy accident involving Derek De Boer and Adam Adelson.
It came after Grahovec was forced to start from the rear of the 32-car field due to a technical infringement that also stripped them of their Silver class win in Saturday’s race.
An early stop for Grahovec put the No. 11 BMW M4 GT4 out front in clean air as the majority of the field elected to pit at the end of the pit window.
A faster-than-permitted pit stop for the No. 15 BSport Aston Martin Vantage GT4 initially put Bryan Putt out front overall before getting passed by McAleer with 20 minutes to go.
Putt would later be given a 31-second post-race time penalty for exceeding the minimum pit delta, handing the Pro-Am class win to the Heart of Racing duo of Gray Newell and Ian James for the first time.
Newell crossed the line third overall behind the Silver class No. 35 Conquest Racing West Mercedes-AMG GT4 of Michai Stephens and Colin Mullan, which finished second.
Stephens was pressuring McAleer for the overall lead until the yellow with 12 minutes to go when De Boer’s No. 66 TRG Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport got squeezed in a three-wide move and made heavy contact with the barriers.
The No. 120 Porsche of Adelson was also collected in the multi-car incident.
De Boer’s co-driver Spencer Pumpelly led from pole until getting overtaken by Aaron Poveledo with 32 minutes to go.
Am class honors again went to Smooge Racing’s John Geesbreght and Kevin Conway in their Toyota GR Supra GT4, in the team’s first sweep of a GT4 America weekend.
Stevan McAleer & Toby Grahovec Seek Another Pirelli GT4 America Victory This Weekend at Famed Sebring Circuit for Fast Track Racing
9/29/21 (via GT4-America.com)
SEBRING, FL – For many of the drivers entered in this weekend’s Pirelli GT4 America, the historic Sebring International Raceway brings a new learning experience at the famed 3.74-mile, 17-turn road circuit. Not since 2009 has the SRO America (formerly the Pirelli World Challenge) series competed at Sebring and the 71-year-old track has numerous challenges.
But Fast Track Racing’s Stevan McAleer and Toby Grahovec have logged many laps of the legendary racing facility and must be listed top contenders in both GT4 America 60-minute, two-driver races set for Saturday and Sunday.
For McAleer and Grahovec, the driving duo of the No. 11 Classic BMW BMW M4 GT4 sports car comes to the popular Florida track seeking another Pirelli GT4 America overall win and Silver division victory after an impressive triumph at Watkins Glen two weeks ago.
Both racers are very familiar with the racing surface at Sebring with appearances in victory lane during their racing careers and they hope to continue that trend with another step to the top of the podium this weekend.
“We have had good runs in the BMW M4 GT4 car in recent years in other series,” said Grahovec, also the team manager for Fast Track Racing. “Stevan has raced many times at Sebring as have I. We know the circuit and we hope to have more success this weekend after the winning performance at Watkins Glen. But Sebring is a different track than others. It’s a tough place to negotiate with its rougher track surface. We believe our Sebring experience will pay off.”
Despite a late start in the GT4 America series this year, McAleer and Grahovec now rank third in the Silver class point standings and have recorded two race wins and two runner-up places. Now, with four races remaining in the 2021 campaign, the Fast Track Racing team has the opportunity to close in on the leaders in points.
“Sebring is a classic circuit like Watkins Glen and Road America in the U.S.,” said McAleer. “I’ve been there many times in a variety of race cars and our BMW M4 should be right in contention in the two races. Toby and I have teamed together over the years, and we have made a strong tandem.”
Aston Martin, BMW on Top in Final Practice at Sebring
10/1/21 (via GT4-America.com)
Sebring, Fla. - Friday’s final practice for Pirelli GT4 America at Sebring International Raceway marked the last opportunity for drivers and teams to learn the intricacies of Sebring’s challenging bumps before Saturday morning’s qualifying session. The fastest car in second practice was the Pro-Am #50 Aston Martin Vantage AMR of Ross Chouest and Aaron Povoledo with 3R Povoledo Racing, with a time of 2:12.273. The #34 BMW M4 of James Walker and Bill Auberlen was second quickest in the Pro-Am category, followed by the #119 BMW of Sean Quinlan and Gregory Liefooghe with Stephen Cameron Racing.
The Silver class was paced by Watkins Glen winners in the #11 BMW M4, Toby Grahovec and Stevan McAleer, driving for Classic BMW. The #11 BMW ran a 2:12.539, placing the car first in class and second overall. The next quickest Silver category car was the #35 Mercedes-AMG of Michai Stephens and Colin Mullan from Conquest Racing West, who were ninth overall with a time of 2:13.374.
The #98 BMW M4 of Paul Sparta and Al Carter was fastest in the Am category, with a time of 2:14.252. The #7 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CLUBSPORT MR of Sam Owen and Sean Gibbons were second quickest in Am, just five thousandths of a second behind the class leader.
BMW Sweeps Sebring Poles with Classic BMW, BimmerWorld Racing
10/2/21 (via GT4-America.com)
Sebring, Fla. - The 29-car Pirelli GT4 America field qualified Saturday morning under blue skies at Sebring International Raceway, setting the grid for Saturday’s Race 1 and Sunday’s Race 2. After winning at Watkins Glen a few weeks ago, the #11 BMW M4 of Stevan McAleer and Toby Grahovec with Classic BMW will start on pole for Race 1, with McAleer’s time of 2:11.541. The team starts first in the Silver category, as well as overall.
The car sharing the front row with McAleer is the #47 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CLUBSPORT MR of Matt Travis and Jason Hart. Travis’s lap of 2:11.935 placed the #47 NOLASPORT Pro-Am car on the front row. In the Am class, the #16 Mercedes-AMG of Kris Wilson will start first in class and fifth overall with teammate John Allen, who will jump behind the wheel of the Capstone Motorsports entry during the mid-race driver change.
For Race 2 qualifying, teams switched drivers and had fifteen minutes to set the grid for Sunday’s race. On pole will be the #34 BMW M4 of Bill Auberlen with teammate James Walker for BimmerWorld Racing, with a time of 2:10.884. Auberlen’s time was five tenths quicker than the #47 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CLUBSPORT MR, this time with Jason Hart behind the wheel for NOLASPORT. The #47 Porsche will start on the front row in both races at Sebring.
The top eight cars in qualifying for Race 2 were all Pro-Am classed entries; the fastest Silver class car was the #35 Mercedes-AMG of Colin Mullan with a time of 2:11.892, placing his Conquest Racing West entry first in class and ninth overall. Teammate Michai Stevens will take over the car at the driver change. The #46 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CLUBSPORT MR of Russell Walker of NOLASPORT, with teammate David Walker, was fastest in the Am category, placing 18th overall with a time of 2:12.629.
McAleer/Grahovec, BMW Lead Penultimate Practice Session at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
10/13/21 (via GT4-America.com)
Indianapolis, Ind. - The #11 Classic BMW BMW M4 GT4 piloted by Stevan McAleer and Toby Grahovec have paced the field at the penultimate practice session at Indianapolis Motor Speedway under partly sunny skies Wednesday afternoon. The 1-minute, 44.067-second opening salvo set the pace for both the overall practicing field and the Silver class.
The #59 WR Racing Aston Martin Vantage of Paul Terry and Valentin Hasse-Clot captujred the top Pro-Am spot, while the #16 Capstone Motorsports entry of Jon Berry and Kris Wilson set the overall fastest lap for the Am class.
Porsche, BMWs Close Out Final Practice Session of the Season
10/13/21 (via GT4-America.com)
Indianapolis, Ind. - After a sudden downpour and fluctuating rain caused a temporary red flag condition, the final practice session of the season completed with the #66 TRG - The Racers Group Porsche, piloted by Spencer Pumpelly and Derek DeBoer, taking the top spot in the rain. Their 1-minute, 52.826-second lap captured the top spot for both the overall field and the Pro-Am class.
In the Silver class, The Classic BMW team of Stevan McAleer and Toby Grahovec once again ran the fastest lap in the class with a 1:54.008 run in the abbreviated session, while a 1:54.916 lap for the #98 Random Vandals BMW team of Al Carter and Paul Sparta wrapped up the Am class competitors.