First race of the series attracts top GT3 competitors to Road Atlanta

With a big push from Mazda, but open to competitors in all makes, the inaugural GT3 Challenge presented by MPI race took place during the American Road Race of Champions at Road Atlanta. The race attracted a field that included some of the top GT3 competitors east of the Mississippi to take advantage of the increased competition, incentivized in part by the increased contingency awards, the opportunity to win numerous prizes, and the subsidized entry fees.

Multiple SCCA GT3 National Champions entered the GT3 Challenge race, but it was Jeff Dernehl in his third-generation RX-7 taking both the ARRC race on Saturday and the GT3 Challenge race on Sunday, which brought out two more competitors than Saturday’s event. Stacy Wilson finished second in his second-generation RX-7 and Richard Grupp was third in an RX-3.

Tom Long has driven everything from Spec Miata to Mazda’s RT-24P prototype, and was on hand to coach a GT3 competitor. He came away impressed with the cars and the racing.

“The SCCA GT3 class platform is absolutely terrific,” Long says. “The cars are exhilarating to drive – fast paced, lightweight, balanced and make all the right sounds. Certainly all the elements to a real race car! With all the adjustability the rules have to offer, the class is perfect for someone who enjoys playing with cars and tinkering to go faster. There’s plenty of adjustment for fine tuning, and the driving experience makes it all the more rewarding.

“While I was coaching in the paddock, the sense of camaraderie is unlike most other classes, where the willingness to help out a fellow competitor is unparalleled. Truly a cohesive group of racers,” he adds.

MPI, the steering wheel provider for the Mazda MX-5 Cup car, led by Max Papis, Tati Papis and Yann Zimmer, chose to be part of the GT3 Challenge in an effort to give back to the racing community, as has Hoosier Racing Tire and AiM Sports. In one of many ways to give back to the motorsport community, MPI specially made three unique trophies to commemorate the GT3 Challenge event, with Zimmer personally awarding them to Dernehl, Wilson, and Grupp at Road Atlanta. 

These podium finishers were not the only winners. John Mills, who purchased a GT3 car specifically for this GT3 Challenge event, came away with a set of Hoosier tires. AiM Sports provided some helpful tools to give away as well. Sam Moore now has a SmartyCam and Stacy Wilson adds an AiM Solo 2 DL to his MPI trophy and Mazda contingency awards. (Mazda Motorsports will soon offer both for purchase.)

It wasn’t just Mazdas competing, though. The grid included a Honda, a Ford and a pair of Volvos. Overall, the event was a great start to a series where the main focus is building interest in the GT3 class.”

“The excitement that is building from within the racing community is more than we hoped for,” says David Cook, business development manager for Mazda Motorsports. “When top racers such as Rob Warkocki from Illinois, Stacy Wilson from Tennessee, and John Mills from Ohio make the journey to Road Atlanta, you know you’ve got something good. John even purchased a GT3 car just to compete at this event. Paul Young, Sam Moore and Joe Kristensen also joined in. Richard Grupp came out and demonstrated he can wheel his beautiful RX-3. Jeff Dernehl, though, brought the total package. When you tether his talent behind the wheel, the prep of his car with help from his crew chief Barry, and his experience at the track, he put on a special show. GT3 Challenge is only going to build from here.”

The next GT3 Challenge race will take place at VIRginia International Raceway with the Hoosier SCCA Super Tour on April 12-14, 2019. Both GT3 races within the weekend will count towards crowning the GT3 Challenge champion for the mid-Atlantic. Additional GT3 Challenge races will take place during the Chicago Region June Sprints Hoosier Super Tour, and a west coast venue to be determined, before culminating at the 2019 SCCA National Championship Runoffs at VIR.