A Summer Racing Fest at the Iconic Road America!
Masters at the WeatherTech International Challenge with Brian Redman
Surrounded by a sea of adoring fans, Masters kicked off the 2023 US Season by making its way to Wisconsin for a sun-filled race weekend.
With over 400 cars racing, the Masters Racing Legends USA and Masters Formula Atlantic Plus grids joined in run group 7 - a time capsule of single seater/open wheelers that transported you back to a golden era! Similarly, our GT cars from Masters Endurance Legends USA joined run group 9, where American muscle had a showdown with modern GT and production cars - what a sight!
The 4.048 mile circuit proved a challenge for our Masters drivers, some of whom were trying it out for the first time, but one they seemed to like it! Each group had plenty of track time to look forward to with three qualifying sessions, one qualifying race and one feature race to look forward to!
Masters Racing Legends and Masters Formula Atlantic Plus
Throughout the qualifying sessions it looked as if it was going to be a great battle for the podium places between Jonathan Holtzman (Lotus 87b), Road America first-timer Steve Brooks in his 1982 Lotus 91, perennial racer Bud Moeller (Williams FW08) and Carlos de Quesada in his newly acquired McLaren M26.
Brooks started on pole for the qualifying race, narrowly ahead of Holtzman with de Quesada, Gray Gregory (March 761) and Mark Hazell (Williams FW08C) not far down the order. After a great tussle, Brooks came out on top in the qualifying race from Holtzman and Moeller, therein setting the grid for Sunday’s feature race. Sadly, Holtzman didn’t participate in Sunday’s race, leaving it to Moeller and de Quesada to chase down Brooks for the podium honours. After an epic battle, the podium places went to Brooks, Moeller and de Quesada.
In the Masters Formula Atlantic Plus section, it was Kyle Buxton in his 1977 March 77b that took the honours from Tom Minnich (Ralt RT4), both of them mixing it up with the historic formula one cars! What a fantastic display of historic racing.
Masters Endurance Legends USA
The big toys and their toys got their turn in run group 9 where modern GT cars and American stock cars mixed into a 34-strong grid. Of the Masters Endurance Legends cars taking part, it was a close tussle in qualifying between Pierce Marshall (Chevrolet Corvette C7R) and Marcus Jewell (Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo). Bruce Leeson & David Roberts, both in Audi R8 LMS’, along with Seb Coppola (Ferrari 458) were not far from contention either.
Saturday’s qualifying race saw Jewell take 2nd place overall with Marshall in 4th place overall, both setting great expectations for the feature race to come! Sunday’s feature race saw the tables turned as Marshall fought hard for the MEL win from Marcus Jewell and Bruce Leeson.
Overall, it was a great weekend; the sun shined, the adoring fans clapped, and the silverware was awarded! Another fantastic weekend stateside!
