Kiko Porto Returns to VP Challenge Competition After Three Months, Seeking to Maintain Championship Lead

Lexington (OH), June 4, 2025

Just over three months after the thrilling round held at Circuit of the Americas (COTA), the cars, drivers and teams of the VP Racing Sportscar Challenge are back on track for the third round of the 2025 season. Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, in Lexington, Ohio, will be the venue this week for another double-header round of the competition that is part of the IMSA - International Motor Sport Association calendar.

Brazilian driver Kiko Porto (Toyota Gazoo Racing / Banco Daycoval / MC Games / Team: Rafa Racing), representing Pernambuco in international motorsport, arrives at the Mid-Ohio round as championship leader in the GSX category. With 1,270 points earned in the first two rounds of the season, the Toyota Gazoo Racing driver's main objective is to maintain the top spot in the standings while adding another victory to his 2025 resume.

Behind the wheel of the #8 Toyota GR Supra, Porto represents Rafa Racing Team in one of the most competitive categories of the VP Racing Sportscar Challenge. The Pernambuco native knows the 2.3-mile Mid-Ohio layout very well, where he has already secured victories and pole positions in other categories throughout his North American motorsport career, having competed in American F4, USF 2000 and Lamborghini Super Trofeo.

"Mid-Ohio is a track that has always brought me good memories and positive results. The layout has unique characteristics. I've won here in other categories, but each race has its own story, though the objective is to maintain this good trajectory at this circuit. I hope to achieve that now with the Toyota GR Supra from Rafa Racing Team," analyzed Kiko Porto regarding his prospects for the weekend.

The activity schedule at Mid-Ohio for the VP Racing Sportscar Challenge will begin this Friday (6th), with free practice sessions scheduled for 11:20 AM* and 2:00 PM*. These practice sessions will be fundamental for teams to find the ideal setup to tackle the characteristics of the Mid-Ohio circuit.

On Saturday (7th) we will have the starting grid definition, with qualifying scheduled for 10:30 AM*. Kiko Porto's first race of the weekend will take place on Saturday at 2:00 PM*, with a 45-minute duration. The second and final race of the Mid-Ohio round is scheduled for Sunday (8th) at 10:00 AM* (*Brasília time).

Brazilians and, especially, Kiko Porto's fellow Pernambuco natives, will be able to follow all the racing excitement through IMSA's official YouTube channel.

Text by Kako Marques / KMCom Assessoria

Kiko Porto on Instagram:
@kikoporto_12

Kiko Porto on YouTube:
@KikoPorto12 

Kiko Porto's Website:
www.kikoporto.com.br