The GT World Challenge America season opener from 15 to17 April was next on Mario Farnbacher’s event programme. Together with Racers Edge Motorsports and Ashton Harrison, the Acura works driver started in Sonoma and immediately secured the season’s first podium in the #93 Acura NSX GT3.
Sonoma Raceway was new race territory for the 29-year-old and his team mate. The duo had to explore the track under difficult rain conditions, but with seventh and second places in the Pro/Am qualifying runs, both pilots displayed their own potential as well as that of the car.
“All things considered, we can be satisfied with the outcome. It was Ashton’s first rain experience and in addition, neither of us had been on the track before. We were very content after qualifying – the wet circuit seemed to suit us and the car a little better this weekend”, Farnbacher explained.
Start driver Harrison had to begin from the back of the field due to a penalty, however she was able to move the Acura forward in an impressive attack. After Farnbacher had taken the wheel, he achieved a sixth place in class. Sunday’s race went much better for the duo and thanks to a strong fighting performance, Harrison and Farnbacher earned a second place on the podium.
Although the Ansbach-born native sees room for improvement, he was visibly happy with the first race weekend: “Of course, the final results were good. We’re pleased to have been fighting up front but are very aware of the work lying ahead. We have a new tyre this year, so we need to understand better how it works in the coming races. I am confident that we will improve over the weekends!”
Second round of the GT World Challenge America is from 20to 22May, when season races three and four will take place on the Ozarks International Raceway.
