World Challenge at the 2019 Rose Cup Races

The SRO Pirelli GT4 America series headlined the professional racing portion of the three-day weekend, and victory went to Harry Gottsacker and Jon Miller in the No. 28 ST Racing BMW M4 GT4.


“The race went well. I was able to have a clean start, held my ground and was able to give Jon (Miller) a great race car,” Gottsacker said in a victory circle. “Jon literally just tore them up out there and went straight to the front and got a good gap to finish it.”


“It was an awesome race,” Miller agreed. “It plays into our strategy. Harry set the pace and left me some tires at the end. Super happy!”


SRO’s Touring Car America series also raced over the weekend. Johan Schwartz took Sunday’s win in the No. 80 Rooster Hall Racing BMW M240iR Cup car. Schwartz battled SCCA veteran Toby Grahovec in his No. 26 BMW M240iR Cup car. The cars had substantial contact during the race, and Grahovec retired early.


“We had such a great battle,” Schwartz said. “It’s unfortunate because I wanted us to finish 1-2, even if he had won. We put on a great show, though.”


Touring Car America also brought the lower-powered TCR/TCA classes to the weekend. The two classes race together and feature more affordable cars than the main Touring Car series. Michael Hurczyn won the TCR class driving the FCP Euro No. 71 Golf GTI. In TCA, Mark Pombo claimed the top spot in the No. 59 MINI Cooper JCW.


Last on the bill came the Saleen Cup. This new arrive-and-drive series features new Saleen 1 exotic cars and is designed for drivers who want to break into pro racing.


Sunday’s winner, Brandon Davis of Napa, California, drove the No. 4 Saleen 1.


“Any time you come to the track the goal is to win, and we did that,” Davis said. “It feels good to come away with a good finish.”

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