News Summary
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is set to host the Indianapolis 8 Hour GT3 endurance race featuring top international and American drivers. Philipp Eng secured pole position in a competitive qualification round. Notable participants include legendary MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi, who is making his four-wheeled racing debut, alongside INDYCAR champion Will Power. A total of 25 cars from leading brands like BMW, Mercedes-AMG, and Ferrari will compete, making this event a significant finale for the Intercontinental GT Challenge and GT World Challenge America series.
Indianapolis, Indiana
American Teams Lock Out Front Row for Indianapolis 8 Hour GT3 Endurance Race; Will Power and Valentino Rossi Set to Compete
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) is hosting the highly anticipated Indianapolis 8 Hour GT3 sports car endurance race, set to commence at 12:20 p.m. ET on Saturday. The event will conclude in darkness at approximately 8:20 p.m. ET, featuring a diverse lineup of top international and American drivers competing in a grueling multi-hour competition.
Top Qualifiers and Starting Grid
Philipp Eng, a factory driver for BMW, secured the pole position driving the No. 51 Random Vandals Racing BMW M4 with a lap time of 1:22.271 seconds. Eng will share the No. 51 car with American drivers Varun Choksey and Bill Auberlen. Closely behind, Jules Gounon qualified second in the No. 80 Mercedes-AMG for Mercedes-AMG Lone Star Racing, finishing just .012 seconds behind Eng with a similar fast lap. Gounon will team with Lin Hodenius and Maxime Martin for the race.
The pole shootout among the top six drivers was extremely competitive, with less than a quarter of a second—specifically .235 seconds—separating all six qualifying drivers, underscoring the race’s intense competitiveness.
Race Entry and Participating Brands
A total of 25 cars are set to participate in the race, representing leading brands such as Aston Martin, BMW, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Ford, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, and Porsche. The diversity of manufacturers highlights the international scope and prestige of this endurance event.
Notable Drivers and Teams
Among the notable entries, Raffaele Marciello and Kelvin van der Linde, both representing Team WRT, qualified third and fourth respectively, with each driving BMW M4s. These drivers are currently the front-runners in the championship standings, with van der Linde leading Marciello by five points, 85-80, heading into this final round. The race offers 25 championship points to the winner, making it a decisive event for the series.
Debut of Notable Drivers
Legendary MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi is making his four-wheeled racing debut at IMS, driving alongside Kelvin van der Linde for Team WRT. Rossi’s participation draws significant attention, as it marks his first sports car race since 2003, showcasing his transition from two wheels to four in an international endurance setting.
American and International Star Power
Australian driver Chaz Mostert and Kenny Habul will partner with Will Power, a two-time INDYCAR SERIES champion and the 2018 Indianapolis 500 winner, in the No. 75 Mercedes-AMG 75 Express. Power’s entry is notable as it is his first sports car race since 2003, adding a layer of interest for motorsport fans.
American drivers Connor De Phillippi and Conor Daly, both prominent in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, are also among the participants, starting from the third row of the grid and emphasizing the event’s international and national star power.
Significance and Broadcast Information
The Indianapolis 8 Hour race serves as the final round for both the Intercontinental GT Challenge and the GT World Challenge America series, making it a crucial and climactic conclusion to these global touring car championships. The event will be broadcast live on the SRO’s GT World YouTube channel, allowing fans worldwide to follow the action in real time.
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Additional Resources
- Sportscar365: Indianapolis Friday Notebook
- Wikipedia: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
- Daily Sportscar: Indy 8 Hour Thursday Notebook
- Google Search: Indianapolis 8 Hour GT3
- Sportscar365: Grenier Quickest in Indianapolis Pre-Qualifying
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Auto Racing
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway: 8 Hour Quals
- Google News: Indianapolis 8 Hour GT3 Race
Author: STAFF HERE INDIANAPOLIS WRITER
The INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREIndianapolis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Indianapolis, Marion County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Indianapolis 500, Indy Jazz Fest, and the Indiana State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Indy Chamber and Visit Indy, plus leading businesses in motorsports and healthcare that power the local economy such as Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IU Health. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Indiana's dynamic landscape.
