Observations from the 2019 SCCA Runoffs at VIR

We found “Weekend Warriors” in C5, C6 and C7 Corvettes RACING THROUGH TIME,

C5 Corvettes from 1997-2004 such as Javier Vento

C6 Corvettes from 2005-2012 such as Joe Aquilante

And C7 Corvettes from 2013-2019 such as Richard Grant

In various SCCA Club classes RACING THROUGH SPACE,

SCCA T1, Joe Gaudette

SCCA T2, Dave Sanders

SCCA GT1, Paige Monette Alexander

SCCA GT2, Lou Gigliotti 

And in SCCA Pro Trans Am racing classes TA and SGT like David Fershtand and Randy Kinsland.

It’s good to know that most of these Corvettes like Chris Qualls and Jorge Vento are eligible for Vintage Racing such as SVRA group 12a and group 10, HSR and the WeatherTech at Road America.

TOP CORVETTE FINISHERS AT THE 2019 RUNOFFS

GT1 (Tube Frame cars): Ernie Francis Jr Mustang pressured Pole sitter and veteran Tony Ave into a mistake that cost him the race.  Both are Trans Am champs, Ernie in the last 2 years.  Tony Ave Racing enjoys a reputation as a top car builder, service provider and kingpin in the Trans Am series.

GT2: Pole sitter Andrew Aquilante led the entire 15 lap race for his 13th Runoffs victory, all in Corvettes or Mustangs he helped build as he grew up working at family owned Phoenix Performance Inc. 

This one-of-a-kind Corvette approved for GT2 was converted from a 2015 stock ZO6 originally intended to race in the T1 class.

T1: The highest finishing Corvette was 8th, driven by James Candelaria.  # 134 is just one of many Corvettes built and prepared by Phoenix Performance.  The skies darkened late in the day causing two other Corvette drivers to sit out rather than face the risks of racing in the rain. # 86 Joe Gaudette DNS broken engine.

T2: The top Corvette finished 4th driven by Kurt Rezzatano.  # 37 is another example built, prepared and serviced by Phoenix Performance.

It is clear (if you’ve read this far) that Phoenix Performance attracts more customers and drivers to the Runoffs than any other entity we can think of.  Over the last 25 years they’ve run Corvettes, Mustangs, Camaros, Pontiac Solstice, Subarus and Mazdas.  The record in the wake of founder Joe Aquilante, still racing at 67, speaks for itself.

Corvette results compiled by Wayne Ellwood and Jan Hyde

All the Corvettes at VIR can be seen in this gallery.  Action photos supplied by Mark Webber, Exclusive Racing Photos and his crew.

2019 Photo Gallery https://corvetteregistry.smugmug.com/Cars/Corvettes-at-SCCA-Runoffs/Corvettes-at-Runoffs-2019/

For the more here are Photo Galleries for all years. https://corvetteregistry.smugmug.com/Cars/Corvettes-at-SCCA-Runoffs

VIR hosted over 600 entrants without a hitch, thanks to competent and friendly people.  The Runoffs head to Road America in 2020.