Koch Thankful for “Pretty Cool” Dual Series Program

Photo: Random Vandals Racing

Kenton Koch said he’s “thankful” for his dual series SRO America campaign with Random Vandals Racing that has put him atop the points standings in both GT World Challenge America powered by AWS and Pirelli GT4 America after one weekend.

Koch was victorious in both programs at Sonoma Raceway, highlighted by a last-gasp pass on Alex Sedgwick to win Race 2 of GTWC America, giving the Paul Sparta-led team its first victory with the BMW M4 GT3 EVO.

The 30-year-old also took Silver class honors in the second GT4 America race of the weekend, after a similar late-race move by his co-driver Kevin Boehm on Gresham Wagner in his BMW M4 GT4 EVO to take the lead and eventual win.

When asked about being one of only a handful of drivers undertaking dual series programs, Koch said it’s been a privilege.

“It’s cool to even be in a position to be able to do that,” he told Sportscar365. “Not many people can say they have the opportunity to be in two programs and in a position to actually have the chance to do that.

“I’m incredibly thankful and lucky, first of all.

“We’ve been going for a championship in GT4 now, this will be our third year, and have been so close two times in a row now.

“Hopefully we can actually close the deal this year on that. But it’s early days.

“On the GT3 side with Connor De Phillippi, it’s a very good pairing. It’s been fun to have him and get more time in the GT3 car.

“The car is really fun to drive. It’s been pretty cool to go back and forth between the two.

“The cars are so different. The only thing that they share in the steering wheel. Outside of the steering wheel, they’re very different.

“So qualifying one and jumping straight into the other has been a learning experience. But it’s honestly not too hard.

“I’ve had a blast.”

Koch and Boehm are looking to defend their win in last year’s inaugural Lone Star Enduro, which returns this weekend as the lone three-hour GT4 America race on the 2025 calendar.

Weather conditions could play a factor in the outcome of the race according to Koch.

“We got lucky with one of the yellows on where we came in and how we got it. Strategy wise, it was perfect,” he reflected.

“Then we also had the speed. The BMWs are really good when it gets really hot. This year, we have less power than we did last year.

“We’re hoping for it to be really hot.

“But when it was cooler last year, it was probably more equal but now when it’s going to be cooler this year, I think we may be a little bit behind the eight-ball.

“We’re hoping the race will be excruciatingly hot. That’s the hope, so maybe we can have a chance.”