Two weeks after the IMSA guest appearance, Mario Farnbacher headed for the next race weekend on the legendary Road America. Together with Ashton Harrison, the 31-year-old was racing for Racers Edge Motorsports at the GT World Challenge America on the Elkhart Lake circuit.
“Qualifying didn’t go at all well, because the other cars were carrying a stronger performance package. But I think the first race was a good comeback for us, as we’ve fought forwards to third position.”
In the first of the two 90-minute races, the Acura NSX GT3 crew battled its way from a twelfth on the grid to a fifth in the overall classification, which at the same time means a third position in the Pro class. In addition, during the 39-lap race, the driver duo Farnbacher and his team colleague Ashton Harrison were able to draw away from the Porsche team leading the championship, thus tightening the gap in the fight for the title.
“I had a good start to the second race. Unfortunately, the resurfacing of the track has provided just one fast line in the corners and during the kick-off tussle, I was pushed out to the edge and lost time as a result.”
The two-time IMSA champion was able to gain two more positions in the following laps. However, after a touch by an opponent, the Acura #93 went into a spin and again lost further positions. Ultimately, Harrison finished with a fourth in the class, but the Franconian-American duo lost several points in the title fight.
Next stop on the GT World Challenge America programme is from 22 to 24 September, when the SRO race series continues on the legendary airfield circuit in Sebring, Florida. Farnbacher travels there with good memories of the circuit, having twice won the 12-hour races on the track.
