Late Porsche tyre issue hands VIR win to Taylor and Garcia, Auberlen takes all-time IMSA win record

Antonio Garcia and Jordan Taylor have taken a late win in the Michelin GT Challenge at VIR after the leading Porsche had to pit to prevent a puncture.

Fred Makowiecki and Nick Tandy’s #911 Porsche 911 RSR-19 started from pole position and held onto the lead in the opening exchanges until Makowiecki suffered a rear puncture that dropped him down the field.

He was, however, able to retake the lead following a safety car caused by a steering failure for the #24 BMW M8 GTE with John Edwards at the wheel.

Makowiecki, having changed tyres following his puncture, was able to slip back to the front during the pitstops as he only needed a refuel. He then held onto the lead before handing the Porsche over to Nick Tandy. Tandy looked set to take Porsche’s first win of the season before the Briton was forced to take an unscheduled stop as the left rear tyre was nearing failure.

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Jordan Taylor and Antonio Garcia were then promoted into the lead in the #3 Corvette C8.R and won the race ahead of the #25 BMW M8 GTE of Connor de Phillippi and Bruno Spengler, despite a vibrating diffuser for Garcia. Tandy and Makowiecki came home in third to complete the podium.

The #4 Corvette of Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner finished fourth following an off-track excursion. The #912 Porsche 911 RSR-19 of Earl Bamber and Laurens Vanthoor looked set for a podium finish for a long time until contact with the #25 BMW damaged the diffuser, which needed replacing.

Auberlen takes IMSA win record

In GTD, Bill Auberlen has become the most successful driver in IMSA history by guiding the #96 Turner Motorsports BMW M6 GT3 to victory.

Auberlen’s team-mate Robby Foley started from second place and immediately took the lead of the class on the opening lap. Foley held onto the lead and handed over to Auberlen in the second hour of the race, with the BMW veteran maintaining the lead on the pitstop cycle after Paul Miller Racing attempted to take the lead on the undercut.

The #96 BMW remained in the lead, but Auberlen soon found himself under pressure from the #86 Meyer Shank Racing Acura NSX GT3 Evo of Mario Farnbacher. Farnbacher, however, made a mistake in attempting to take the lead at turn one. A late lunge from the German failed as he locked up and shot off the track, dropping him out of podium position and leaving Auberlen free to cruise to victory.

With the win, Auberlen becomes the driver with the most wins in IMSA history. The 51-year-old has now scored 61 victories in IMSA competition, surpassing five-time Rolex 24 at Daytona winner Scott Pruett, who scored 60 wins in his IMSA career.

Behind Auberlen, a tight battle for the remaining podium position ended with Mario Farnbacher storming back up to second, ensuring a podium finish for himself and team-mate Matt McMurry. Bryan Selers and Madison Snow finished third in the #48 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo upon Paul Miller Racing’s return to IMSA competition.

Lawson Aschenbach and Gar Robinson just missed out on a podium finish in the #74 Mercedes-AMG GT3 for Riley Motorsports in fourth place. The top five was completed by Aaron Telitz and Jack Hawksworth in the #14 AIM Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3.

Three safety cars

The safety car made no fewer than three appearances during the two hour and 40 minute race. It was called after just a single lap to recover debris that was left on track following a turn one skirmish in GTD and came out again when John Edwards had his aforementioned steering issue and was stranded in the grass. This also coincided with Till Bechtolsheimer spinning the #22 Acura NSX GT3 Evo from Gradient Racing into the barrier at the same turn, with both vehicles needing recovery.

A third and final safety car was called when Rob Ferriol hit the tyre barriers on approach to the Oak Tree corner in the #30 Team Hardpoint Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo.