DGFX 3 Hours of Sonoma - Sat Aug 13

What a fantastic day for our Corvette C7 DP teams with all 3 cars in the Top 5. Nicely done gentlemen…

As most everyone knows, Sonoma is a challenging track with several blind apexs and hardly any straights, so racing at this event was going to be tough; maybe the highest priority would be just keeping the car on-track, clean, and letting attrition take its toll. Twenty-one DGFX teams, 10 DPs and 11 GT3, would take on Sonoma and test their mettle.

Our guys worked great together during multiple test sessions and it showed during official Practice. Our C7-Blue team (Leo and Russell) set fast time (122.654), with C7-Green (Dave and Mikey Grems) in P3, and C7-Yellow (Chuck and Kevin Linden) in P8; the GT3 Audi (Rick and JC) were 7th in GT3. Qualifying saw similar, well-prepared results for our C7s. Leo had a rough start and couldn’t get a clean lap, but under high pressure on his last lap absolutely earned P1 with a 122.657; however, Black Added was only 0.018 sec behind! Dave was happily P3 and Chuck landed P9; Rick qualified the Audi almost dead last, but had them right where he wanted them! Kurt wasn’t able to drive with Leo and Russell, but spotted for his team and provided valuable assistance with course marshal communication for each of our DGFX teams.

The start was a bit chaotic, but mostly behind our C7-Blue and Green teams as several cars were off-course and in the frenzy our Audi got rear-ended on the warm-up lap – thankfully there was little damage (despite the 4X contact). Once the green fell, it continued to be an interesting race with several incidents, but the caution free event was a real test of concentration and stamina. Once things settled in, all three C7 teams were in the top 5; C7-Blue in P1, C7-Green P3, and C7-Yellow making a strong move to the front in P4. After a full fuel run and pit stops, the order essentially remained the same. Leo continued to hold P1 as the battled raged with Black Adder… and it was only when a GT3 car got off-course in T1A and came back on-track causing frontal damaged to C7-Blue, when Black Adder got past. Our C7-Green guys had mostly a quiet day and set absolutely solid lap times throughout the event and it paid off. However, with minutes before their first driver swap, they had an unfortunate encounter with a GT3 that hopped a curb while side-by-side and the contact caused minor adjustments to the right front during its landing. Luckily it wasn't bad, but just sat them back a bit. Still, they managed to set blistering laps, and closed the gap to P1. Leo and Russell continued setting consistently strong laps and held P3 throughout the event. C7-Yellow got an unfortunate speeding penalty leaving pit road and then got spun by a DP during their 2nd stint, again though… they didn't get any serious damage and continued their trek to the front. Unfortunately, the lack of cautions meant they didn't get the chance battle with the lead cars. As the checkers flew, vApex Racing Group occupied 3 of the Top Five spots! C7-Green with Dave and Mikey got a well desired P2, C7-Blue with Leo and Russell fought hard to earn P3, and C7-Yellow with Chuck and Kevin raced to an excellent P5. The Audi team worked their way up to about P2 (Audi) and was challenging the P2 BMW; but, with Andy unable to race and JC unable to repair his steering wheel, they had no choice but to park the car on L66.

Ultimately, a 3-hr multi-class endurance race on a demanding course with no cautions proves the value of live course marshals and DGFX should be proud of their event. We also proud of our Corvette C7 vApex Racing Group drivers: Dave Jaques, Mikey Grims, Leo Corti, Russell Klaesson, Kurt Gross, Chuck Chambliss, and Kevin Linden who all finishing in the Top Five! Despite parking the Audi early, Rick and JC had a strong event, but it just didn't work out in their favor. All in all, thanks to everyone at vApex Racing Group – it was a great team effort and everyone contributed to the good results we achieved.