Porsche Pirelli GT3 Cup Trophy Round 8 - Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

Pirelli GT3 Cup Trophy Finale

By: Brandon J. O'Brien

Image Credits: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images unless otherwise specified

The Pirelli GT3 Cup Trophy USA, in its 11th season, produced intense racing as well as an increasing car count, averaging 33+ cars per event.

The GT3 Class features both the Porsche 997.2 (2010-2013) and 991.1  (2014-2016) versions of the 911 GT3 Cup cars.  The GT4 Class features the Caymen GT4 Cup (2016-2017) cars.  Both Classes compete on the track at the same time making for a large field and an exciting race.  There are also five Championship classes; (GT3, 991) Diamond, Diamond Masters, (GT 3, 997) Platinum,  (GT4) Silver, and Silver Masters.

As can be seen by the results no two drivers dominated their respective classes at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Close competition for the lead in the waning minutes of Friday's event.  Image Credit: 2017 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Russell Ward in the No. 35 Win Ward Racing 991 GT3 came in first on Friday and second on Saturday after being accessed a 30-second penalty for unavoidable contact on the first lap.

Russell Ward in the No. 35 Win Ward Racing Porsche 991 exiting Turn 5 on his way to winning Fridays event.  Image Credit: 2017 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Loren Beggs in the No. 08 911 Design car came in second on Friday and third on Saturday.

Diamond Title Champion Loren Beggs in the No. 08 911 Design Porsche 991 exiting Turn 5 on Saturday.  Image Credit: 2017 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Alex Kirby in the No. 01 Aasco Motorsports car took third on Friday.  Kirby was placed as the winner of Saturday's event after Ward's penalty.

Alex Kirby exiting Turn 5 in the No. 01 Aasco Motorsports Porsche 991.  Image Credit: 2017 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Other Class winners included:

Diamond Masters (Friday)- Bryce Ward, No. 57 Win Ward Racing 991 GT3
Diamond Masters (Saturday) - Preston Calvert, No. 99 Competition Motorsports 991 GT3

Diamond Masters Title Champion Bryce Ward in the No. 57 Win Ward Racing Porsche 991 won in Diamond Masters on Friday.  Image Credit: 2017 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Platinum (Friday) - Ray Shahi, No. 65 Truspeed Autosports 997 GT3
Platinum (Saturday) - Jim Walsh, No. 96 Competition Motorsports 997 GT3

Silver (Friday) - Sean McAlister, No. 00 Competition Motorsports GT4
Silver (Saturday - Jeff Kearl, No. 26 Rearden Racing GT4

Friday's Silver winner Sean McAlister in the No. 00 Competition Motorsports Caymen GT4.  Image Credit: 2017 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Silver Masters (Friday) - Carl Toffelmire, No. 62 Competition Motorsports GT4
Silver Masters (Saturday) - Laura Ely, No. 09 Competition Motorsports GT4

Silver Master winner (Saturday) Laura Ely in the No. 09 Competition Motorsports Caymen GT4 breaking for the Corkscrew.  Image Credit: 2017 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Silver Master winner (Friday) Carl Toffelmire in the No. 62 Competition Motorsports Caymen GT4 heading up to Turn 6.  Image Credit: 2017 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca was the series finale for 2017 with the following Class Champions being recognized.

Diamond - Loren Beggs, No. 08 911 Design

Diamond Masters - Bryce Ward, No. 57 Win Ward Racing 991 GT3

Platinum - Ray Shahi, No. 65 Truespeed Autosports 997 GT3

Silver - Jeff Kearl, No. 26 Rearden Racing Caymen GT4

Silver Title Champion Jeff Kearl in the No. 26 Rearden Racing Caymen GT4 (GT Challenge car shown) breaking for the Corkscrew.  Image Credit: 2017 Brandon o'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Silver Masters - Steve Goldman, No. 1 Competition Motorsports Caymen GT4

Silver Master's Title Champion Steve Goldman in the No. 1 Competition Motorsports Caymen GT4.  Image Credit: 2017 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

ENDS


TAGS: Brandon O'Brien, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Motor Driven Images, Pirelli, Pirelli GT3 Cup Trophy, Porsche 991 GT3, Porsche 997 GT3, Porsche Caymen GT4