Strong Field Sees Four Different Manufacturers in This Past Weekend in The Atlanta Fall Historics
- Overall 2016 HSR Global GT Champion Awarded Drive at Spa Francorchamps in Belgium Next YearThe all-new Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) Global GT series drew a solid entry of competitors racing cars from four different manufacturers this past weekend at the HSR Atlanta Fall Historics where Jonathon Ziegelman won both rounds of the series on Saturday and Sunday.
The HSR Global GT series is a showcase of modern but recently retired GT-specification race cars from the last 10 to 15 years. Among the popular and eligible models for competition are Porsche 996 and 997 GT3 Cup cars, Porsche Boxsters and Cayman S and R models, Ferrari F430 and F458 challenge cars, the Panoz GTS, Audi R8 LMS and similarly classified models from Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge, BMW, Maserati, Lamborghini and many more.
The five-race 2016 HSR Global GT championship is based around HSR's longstanding Group 9 class and the more recently announced Group 10 division, which has raced as Global GT the last two seasons.
After debuting on Memorial Day Weekend in the WISKO Grand Prix at VIRginia International Raceway (VIR), the Atlanta Fall Historics marked just the second race weekend for Global GT in its inaugural season of competition.
Ziegelman swept the debut Global GT rounds at VIR but had some stiffer competition in winning both races again at Road Atlanta.
The Fall Historics entry list had the usual stout lineup of Porsches, but the Road Atlanta weekend also featured competitors in cars from BMW, Lamborghini and Panoz.
In Saturday's first race, Ziegelman anchored an all-Porsche 997 GT3 Cup podium in his No. 911 entry from KMW Motorsports.
Debuting Global GT driver David Richardson finished second in his No. 06 Porsche 997 prepared by FlatSix Motorsports.
Third went to the No. 74 Hudson Historics Porsche 997 of Paul Reisman, another veteran HSR competitor making his Global GT debut.
In Sunday's finale, Ziegelman shared the podium with Ryan Harrold, who raced the KMW Motorsports-prepared Team Mean No. 101 Porsche 997 GT3 Cup to runner-up honors.
Kevin Wheeler, KMW Motorsports owner who was guest driving the Hartmut Von Seelen No. 51 Porsche 911 RSR, finished third.
While Ziegelman has taken early control of the Global GT point standings after the first two event weekends, there is plenty of time in the year's remaining three races for the competition to make a move.
The remainder of the 2016 HSR Global GT series includes the Savannah Speed Classic, October 27 - 30, the Daytona Historics, November 10 - 13, and the Sebring Historics, December 1 - 4.
Among the prizes the overall 2016 HSR Global GT Champion will be awarded is the chance to drive and race on the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium in a race-prepared Porsche GT3 Cup or Cayman. The "Race to Spa" champion award includes use of the race car, hotel lodging for two and expert driver coaching, all provided by HSR.
