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Daytona (FL), January 18, 2025
Spectators at the Daytona International Speedway in Florida witnessed a thrilling display of skill and excitement during the opening race of the 2025 VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, organized by IMSA (International Motor Sports Association). Brazilian driver Kiko Porto (Banco Daycoval / MC Games / Equipe: Rafa Racing) was the standout star, taking victory in the first race of the weekend at the wheel of his Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO2, car number 8, in the GSX category.
Kiko kicked off the weekend on a high note, topping the practice sessions and securing pole position. During the race, he faced intense pressure from the #76 car, driven by Steven Clemons. The battle was fierce, and Clemons managed to overtake Kiko with 27 minutes remaining. However, in a dramatic turn of events, Clemons suffered mechanical issues on the final corner, allowing Kiko to reclaim the lead and cross the finish line in first place.
"This is how our first race in the VP Challenge ended. I’m very, very happy with this opportunity. I can only thank the Rafa Racing team for making this possible, as well as Toyota and Gazoo Racing for supporting me and building this incredible car. We had a small pace issue during the race, losing about 3.5 seconds. We’ll look into what happened, but God decided it was our moment, and in the final lap, I managed to take back first place. Now, I’m going to celebrate with my family and friends who came here to support me. Tomorrow, we go again!" said Kiko.
The Pernambuco native is already preparing to hit the track again this Sunday (19th) for the second race of the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge’s opening round. The race, set to last 45 minutes, is scheduled to start at 1:20 PM local time (3:20 PM Brasília time) and promises more excitement for motorsport fans.
Text by Kako Marques / KMCom Press Office
Kiko Porto on Instagram:
@kikoporto_12
Kiko Porto on YouTube:
@KikoPorto12
Kiko Porto’s Official Website:
www.kikoporto.com.br
