GT America: Washington and Hewitt prevail in rainy Race 2

Race 2 at Sonoma Raceway was a treacherous affair as the GT America powered by AWS field braved the elements, with rainfall sweeping across the track on Sunday morning. The wet and slippery conditions made it difficult for the competitors to navigate their way around the circuit. As the weather worsened, the checkered flag was brought out early.

Kyle Washington and Max Hewitt were the ones to come out on top in their respective SRO3 and GT4 classes, mastering the art of racing in the rain as they each secured their first wins in the championship.

SRO3 class

It was a difficult day for polesitter and Race 1 winner George Kurtz, as his race came to a premature end following a spin off track into the grass in his No. 04 CrowdStrike by Riley Mercedes-AMG GT3 on the opening lap.

This promoted Kyle Washington into the lead in his No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 992 GT3 R, while Justin Rothberg managed to complete an overtake on board his No. 29 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT3 EVO to move up into second place shortly before a full course caution emerged.

The green flag running briefly resumed, however, a spin on the front stretch at the halfway mark between the No. 80 Flying Lizard Motorsports BMW M4 GT3 EVO of Elias Sabo and the No. 50 Chouest Povoledo Racing Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R of Ross Chouest brought out the yellows once again.

The field continued behind the safety car until the checkered flag was waved, with Kyle Washington claiming first, accompanied on the podium by Rothberg and Mirco Shultis in the No. MISHUMOTORS Callaway Corvette Z06R GT3.

“My coach told me ‘don’t crash,’ so I didn’t!” said Washington. “It was very wet out there, treacherous conditions with puddles throughout the track.”

GT4 class

In the limited green flag running that took place, Max Hewitt was the one to make the most of it in his No. 39 van der Steur Racing Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4 EVO, pulling off passes to move up into the lead before the race was plagued by another caution after Curt Swearingin’s No. 7 ACI Motorsports Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport and Denny Stripling’s No. 188 Fast Track Racing BMW M4 GT4 (G82) EVO spun into a tire barrier.

After graduating from the Toyota GR Cup series, Hewitt has truly made a splash as secured a win on his debut weekend in GT America. It was also a strong showing from Anthony McIntosh, yesterday’s winner, who returned to the podium with his No. 69 JTR Motorsports Engineering Toyota Gazoo Racing GR Supra GT4 EVO2, this time in second. The Top 3 was completed by Matt Travis in the No. 47 NOLASPORT Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport.

“I would have liked a better race, but you can’t really expect too much with these conditions,” said Max Hewitt. “I’m happy to take away P1. I wish I could have given Anthony a proper race, but there’s always the next one so I can really give him a challenge. Overall, I’m pretty happy with how this debut went.”

The GT America powered by AWS field will return for the third and fourth rounds of the season at the Grand Prix of Long Beach from April 11-13.