18th October 2018
Strakka Racing is preparing a three-car squad for the final round of the 2018 Intercontinental GT Challenge, to be held at Laguna Seca Raceway in California, USA, on 26-28 October 2018.
As an official customer racing team of Mercedes-AMG, Strakka Racing will field three Mercedes-AMG GT3 entries for the eight-hour race as the series concludes in the USA after hosting endurance events in Australia, Europe and Asia.
The #42 Pro-Am car will be driven by Nick Leventis, Felipe Fraga and David Fumanelli. With 40 points to his name, Leventis is third in the Bronze Drivers’ Standings, just eight points behind his second-placed competitor, and with 25 points still available at Laguna Seca.
Strakka Racing will also run two Pro Class cars: the #43 will be piloted by Max Götz, Raffaele Marciello (newly crowned 2018 Blancpain GT Series Drivers’ Champion) and Lewis Williamson, while the #44 car will have Christian Vietoris, Adrien Tambay and Jack Hawksworth at the wheel. Three of Strakka Racing’s drivers are in the top ten of the Drivers’ Standings: Marciello is joint leader in the points, Götz is currently in joint fifth place and Williamson is seventh.
Following a double-points finish at the last round in Suzuka, including a second-place finish for the #43 Pro car, Strakka Racing has helped Mercedes-AMG to top the GT3 Manufacturers’ Standings. With one race remaining, it’s leading from Audi in second and Porsche third.
QUOTES
Nick Leventis, Strakka Racing Founder and Car #42 Driver: “After a second-place finish at Spa, having to retire the #42 car in Japan was disappointing but we’re confident that we’re back on form for the final race of the season. Despite missing out on crucial points, I’m pleased to be running third in the Bronze Drivers’ Standings. The team has worked hard preparing for Laguna Seca and I’m expecting better results that will contribute to both Strakka and Mercedes-AMG’s season campaign. We’ve had some brilliant highlights this season, with podium finishes in both the Pro and Pro-Am classes; I’m aiming to end the season on a high.”
Jay Davenport, Strakka Racing Director: “Following a strong points haul for Strakka and Mercedes-AMG at Suzuka, we’re hoping for more of the same at Laguna Seca to round out the Intercontinental GT Challenge season. Several of the drivers are in good positions in the Drivers’ Standings and we’re hopeful for a top-three finish in the Bronze Drivers’ Standings for Nick. We had mechanical issues with the gearbox of the #42 in Japan, but the team has worked hard to rectify this so we’re looking for a much-improved result in California.”
Notes to Editors
About Strakka Racing: Strakka Racing, a British motorsport team, was founded in 2007 by former downhill skier turned racing driver Nick Leventis and is recognised as one of the most respected and successful privateer teams in professional motorsport. Located in the heart of the UK’s motorsport valley, the team operates from state-of-the-art workshop facilities on the edge of Silverstone, just a few miles from the iconic Grand Prix circuit that is recognised globally as the home of British motorsport. Having earned widespread respect and honours in just over 10 years of competition, Strakka Racing contested the full 2018 Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup, during which it clinched the Pro-Am Driver’s Championship, and is also competing in the Intercontinental GT Challenge, with a trio of brand new Mercedes-AMG GT3s, after securing a partnership as an IGTC Performance Team with the German marque. The championships encompass several rounds globally and across Europe, including Laguna Seca, Bathurst as well as Spa 24 Hours. For more information visit www.strakkaracing.com
Media Contacts
For more information or high-resolution photography, please contact:
Rebecca Banks
Email: rebecca@revolution-communications.com
Tel: +44 (0)7736 675123
