Petit Le Mans Race Rewind: Last to First at Road Atlanta
As the checkered flag fell on the evening of October 1st at Road Atlanta, the Gradient Racing drivers and crew celebrated a victory that was the best possible return on a week of late nights and constant sacrifice.
(L to R) Mario Farnbacher, Till Bechtolsheimer, Kyffin Simpson and Andris Laivins celebrate in Victory Lane
But in truth, the ‘last-to-first’ GTD victory for the #66 Invest Cayman HPD Acura NSX GT3 Evo22 was the final chapter in the first volume of a story that has been over 12 years in the making. Team Manager, Andris Laivins and regular driver, Marc Miller have been in collaboration since the start of the last decade and their combined efforts have brought victories and titles on the junior rungs of the sportscar ladder along with the confidence to know that, given the opportunity, they could compete at the highest level of endurance racing in North America.
Mario Farnbacher charged to the lead in the Acura NSX GT3 Evo22 as darkness fell at Road Atlanta
“I'm so proud that their hard work was finally rewarded,” declared Laivins about his crew. “We've had a strong package at every endurance race this year, but haven’t had much to show for it. Their pit stops were just awesome, all day long. The last few were critical for our track position, and you could feel that they gave it everything.
Team Manager, Andris Laivins, was a calming influence on a nervous Gradient Racing pit box
Marc Miller played a key role in strategy and coaching at Petit Le Mans and his spirits were not dampened by the fact his duties were confined to the timing stand. “I am happy to say that there is nothing bittersweet about this win. From the very first race at Daytona this year, the team showed we could run up front and fight for podiums and victories. At Sebring we ran solidly in the top 3 and the runner-up spot at Long Beach just underlined what we all knew and spoke about within the privacy of the Gradient Racing hauler.”
Marc Miller looks on as Mario Farnbacher leads in the closing hour at Road Atlanta. (Photo Jon Bennett),
For Laivins, victory at Petit Le Mans was vindication of the efforts of his Austin-based crew over the last four years competing under Gradient Racing banner. “We've been chasing our first win in GTD for years now; this is one of the most competitive classes anywhere, and you have to be patient. It's tough when you are running partial seasons, like we have with the last two Sprint years and the Michelin Endurance Cup this year. There are fewer opportunities to perform, the bad races are a bigger proportion of your results, and it's harder to build a rhythm.”
“I said back in January, we have the package to be up front every time. That turned out to be true, but we had to suffer a bit before we were rewarded at Petit. One thing that has been steadily building is our partnership with HPD and Acura; there is an awesome dynamic of collaboration right now, and it was gratifying to give them a great result and thank them for the trust they place in Gradient Racing.”
AMH Vice President & Acura Brand Officer, Jon Ikeda celebrates at Long Beach with Farnbacher and Miller
For American Honda Motor Company Vice President and Acura Brand Officer, Jon Ikeda , supporting the GT race program has been to ensure Acura could have days and nights like he witnessed at Road Atlanta. “It’s great to see our NSX GT3 Evo22 still competing and winning races. I love Gradient Racing’s ’never quit’ attitude and ability to win the big races, as we saw at Petit Le Mans.”
The impact of the team’s maiden victory has been felt on both sides of the Atlantic. For JAS Motorsport, the Milan-based manufacturer of the NSX GT3 Evo22, winning at Petit Le Mans is another landmark for the platform. “The Petit Le Mans success is the most prestigious victory so far in what is now the most successful year for the car in terms of global wins (twelve),” said Stefano Fini, the NSX GT3 Project Leader for JAS.
NSX GT3 Project Leader for JAS, Stefano Fini
Gradient Racing’s winning performance at Road Atlanta should have a significant impact on the future of the young team as Andris Laivins was quick to confirm. “We have been working furiously for the last couple months to have a strong, full-season program for '23. It's what Acura and our team deserve to showcase the program properly, and it feels like the win in Atlanta was a big boost on that front. Hopefully we will have something to announce in the next couple of weeks.”
For a full Hi-Resolution gallery of Gradient Racing shots from Petit le Mans, Click HERE.
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