Successful GTS Debut for Harry Gottsacker
Sixteen year old Texan Harry Gottsacker earned two top-ten finishes in his Pirelli World Challenge GTS debut at Barber Motorsports Park last weekend in the No. 29 Performance Motorsports Group Ginetta G55 GT4.
Gottsacker used the unofficial testing sessions on Thursday, April 21 to familiarize himself with Ginetta G55 GT4, a car he had very little seat time in prior to the race weekend. Adapting quickly, Gottsacker put the No. 29 in tenth position on the GTS Round 5 starting grid with a 1:31.886 fast lap.
Gottsacker had a brilliant start and gained three positions before turn one, earning the OPTIMA Batteries Best Start award. With rain falling, Race Control issued a full course yellow and then red flag to allow teams the opportunity to pit and change from slicks to Pirelli P Zero rain tires in preparation for the oncoming weather. After the restart Gottsacker posted consistent lap times and was gaining ground on the field when a wet spot in turns 12 and 13 sent him spinning. The weather made a turn for the worse at the 40 minute mark and the race was given an early checkered flag. Gottsacker finished in tenth place.
Gottsacker’s fast race lap put him in fifth position on the starting grid for Round 6 on Saturday, April 23. Another strong standing start from Gottsacker put him in fourth position for the majority of the race, battling it out with Performance Motorsports Group teammate Parker Chase. Running wide on the course, Gottsacker hit a bump outside of the chicane, causing damage to the underside of his Ginetta G55 GT4 and accelerating the impact of his tire wear. Gottsacker battled with the No. 54 and No. 45 SIN R1 GT4 cars for the remainder of the race, finishing sixth.
“I am happy about my Pirelli World Challenge debut this weekend,” said Gottsacker. “The Performance Motorsports Group team were on-point all weekend and gave me a really fast and well handling Ginetta. I think with a little more seat time in the car I can be up there with Parker battling it out for podium finishes and race wins. Congratulations to Parker on his second place finish and a big thank you to Performance Motorsports Group and Ginetta.”
Watch GTS Rounds 5 and 6 from Barber Motorsports Park on CBS Sports Network Saturday, May 7 at 1:00 PM EST.
Follow Harry Gottsacker on Facebook www.facebook.com/harrygottsackerracing and on Twitter @HarryGottsacker for updates on his career!
About Harry Gottsacker:
Sixteen-year-old Texan Harry Gottsacker began his career at the young age of 13 racing karts at a national level. Instantly successful, Harry gained interest from Intrepid North America and was recognized as a factory driver. Harry’s notable karting accomplishments include 2014 WKA Daytona Road Race Champion, 2015 Florida Winter Tour Podium Finish, 2015 Texas ProKart Challenge DD2 Champion. Harry will compete in the GTS class of the Pirelli World Challenge racing a Ginetta G55 with Performance Motorsports Group. Harry will also compete in a full season of the exciting Red Bull Global Rallycross Lites series.