Kiko Porto Wins at COTA and Maintains Lead in VP Racing Sportscar Challenge

Austin, TX – March 2, 2025

The Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, hosted the second round of the 2025 VP Racing Sportscar Challenge, bringing together the top talents in the series. One of the weekend’s standouts was Brazilian driver Kiko Porto (Toyota Gazoo Racing / Banco Daycoval / MC Games / Team: Rafa Racing), who claimed victory in the first race of the doubleheader and maintained his championship lead despite retiring from the second race.

Driving the No. 8 Toyota GR Supra for Rafa Racing Team, Kiko delivered an outstanding performance from the practice sessions. The Pernambucano driver set the fastest times in both free practice sessions and secured pole position for both races, showcasing his speed and consistency on the American circuit.

On Saturday (1st), in the weekend’s first race, Kiko started from the front, leaving no chance for his rivals. With a blistering pace, he was the only GSX-class driver to record a lap time under 1m39s, building a comfortable gap over the rest of the field. His dominance was so significant that he crossed the finish line more than 22 seconds ahead of the second-place finisher.

“Starting from pole always helps, but the car was perfect, and we managed to set a very strong pace from start to finish. This was an important win for the championship and to showcase the team’s potential,” Kiko Porto said after Race 1.

Later on Saturday, the script followed the same path. Kiko once again had a strong start and maintained an unbeatable pace, extending his lead lap after lap. The victory appeared to be within reach, but with five minutes remaining, a mechanical issue ended his race prematurely, forcing him to retire.

“Unfortunately, I had an issue that the team is still analyzing. It’s a shame because I was doing well, with a lead of over 14 seconds. But these things are part of motorsport,” the driver lamented.

Despite the DNF in the second race, Kiko Porto remains firmly at the top of the championship standings with 1,270 points. His performance reaffirms why the Brazilian was selected for Toyota Gazoo Racing’s driver development program, solidifying his status as one of the top names on the grid.

The VP Racing Sportscar Challenge, part of the IMSA (International Motor Sport Association) calendar, returns from June 4-6 at the renowned Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. Kiko Porto and his team are already preparing for another challenge, focused on defending their championship lead.


Text by Kako Marques / KMCom Press Office


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