“I think the key to that was, one, pulling out a good gap in the beginning, which I think we executed pretty well,” Said Roman De Angelis after winning the first race on Saturday. “After that was just really managing traffic. This is a really small circuit, not many places to pass, so getting by these slower guys as quick and as safe as possible was the key. I’d probably say that was one of the biggest gaps I’ve ever pulled in a race. Especially considering how competitive it was, I didn’t think we’d be that far ahead, but once again, what an amazing car by Kelly-Moss Racing. To win in our sponsor’s hometown, Children’s Hospital of Alabama, Racing for Children’s and Medical Properties Trust – all out of Alabama – what an amazing way to start the season.”

De Angelis won the 45 minute race at the 3.7 kms (2.3 miles) road course by a 17 second margin over 16 year old Texas resident Riley Dickinson driving the No. 53 Moorespeed 2019 Porsche 991. Third place went to 21 year old, Red Deer, Alberta, native Parker Thompson driving the No. 3 JDX Racing 2018 Porsche 991.

The second race, which took place on Sunday, resulted in the same top three finishers. De Angelesis started from pole and managed to pull out a 21 second lead over Riley Dickinson with Parker Thompson finishing third.

Courtesy of IMSA

“I think people underestimate how difficult it is when you have that big of a lead, or just to pull it,” De Angelis said after winning the second race. “It’s not easy to be that quick. Even with a really good car, you still have to hit all your marks, all your braking zones and just focus on what you have to do. But the hard thing is, when there’s no one around you, just keeping focused on hitting all your marks. I think we executed pretty well and it’s a good learning experience.”

Complete race results can be found at the IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA By Yokohama website. The 2019 season consists of eight doubleheader weekends and 16 races. Up next are rounds three and four at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, in Lexington, Ohio, May 4^th and 5^th.  One of the highlights for all of the Canadian drivers participating in the series will be the stop at the famed Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Quebec during the Canadian stop of the Formula 1 World Championship, which takes place June 8^th and 9^th.