INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., (October 4, 2022) – The final fight for the Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS takes place this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Wright Motorsports, defending champions of the Pro/Am title, stand poised to continue their reign. The team will make the final push for the championship in the Indianapolis 8 Hour. The finale is the only endurance event of the season and awards double points for that distinction. Defending GT America powered by AWS champion Charlie Luck and defending GT World Challenge America champion Jan Heylen will be joined by Elia Erhart in the No. 45 Porsche 911 GT3 R for Saturday’s event.
“For the second weekend in a row, Wright Motorsports finds itself in the final fight for championship titles,” said Team Owner John Wright. “Charlie and Jan are on a roll after taking back the points lead in the previous rounds at Sebring, and this team is no stranger to endurance races. I know we have what it takes, and we’ll give it everything we’ve got. We have great competition in Racers Edge Motorsports and Crowdstrike with Riley Motorsports, and it’s an honor to be in this fight with them.”
Last season, the team clinched the GT World Challenge America titles at Indianapolis. Taking the checkered flag in third place with drivers Fred Poordad, Jan Heylen, and Max Root earned enough points to win the Pro/Am Team and Driver title. The GT America Team and Driver titles were also claimed that weekend, following a pair of wins by Charlie Luck at the iconic course. The twin victories brought his title run to nine wins in the 2021 season.
This year, in Luck’s inaugural season in GT World Challenge America, he and his son-in-law Jan Heylen have raced to victory four times, earning seven podiums while only finishing outside the top-five positions twice.
Starting at noon Eastern on Saturday, October 8, the eight-hour endurance event will be the first race ending at night in SRO America history. While drivers Jan Heylen and Elia Erhart have endurance and night racing on their resumes, this weekend’s event will be a new experience for Luck. Accustomed to the 40-minute length of races in GT America in 2021, gentleman racer stepped up flawlessly to 90-minute races this season with Helen in GT World Challenge America. Given his adaptability and cool presence under pressure, Luck will be sure to quickly find his footing with this weekend’s new challenge.
The top honors for the Pro/Am title remain to be for contestation this weekend, between teams Wright Motorsports, Racers Edge Motorsports, and Crowdstrike with Riley Motorsports. If Wright wins Saturday’s race or finishes ahead of Racers Edge and CrowdStrike, then the team secures the team and drivers titles. Any result other than a win leads to a range of mathematical possibilities, shown below.
The Indianapolis 8 hour will begin on Saturday, October 8 at 12:00 PM ET, airing live on YouTube.com/GTWorld.
DRIVER QUOTES
Charlie Luck
Last year, we made some fantastic memories, winning the GT America team and driver championships. Every single one of us, all of the Wright Motorsports team, is ready to bring our best. I’ve never done an eight-hour race, so that will be an additional challenge and we are all really looking forward to it.
Jan Heylen
I’m really excited about this weekend. At the beginning of the race season, there is always hope you can fight for the championship, and we’re coming into the last race leading the championship. Leading into the final event is putting us in the best position we could possibly hope for. It’s been a great effort all season, and we’re going to continue to do what we’ve been doing all season long. I’m excited about doing the 8 Hour again. I love long-distance races, and I think it’s going to be a great event. I also want to welcome Elia to the team. We had a good test with him, and I know he’s going to do a good job. He’s a great addition to the team.
Elia Erhart
I'm really looking forward to the race weekend in Indianapolis. I think the goal is clear and it's about the Pro/Am Championship. Eight hours is a long time in which a lot can happen. We need also a bit of luck, but I think we have a strong package.
Comments