(KMCom / Rafa Racing Team)
(KMCom / Rafa Racing Team)
(KMCom / Rafa Racing Team)
(KMCom / Rafa Racing Team)
Lexington (OH), June 8, 2025
Brazilian driver Kiko Porto (Toyota Gazoo Racing / Banco Daycoval / MC Games / Team: Rafa Racing) delivered one of the most thrilling drives of the season this Saturday (7th), claiming second place on the podium in the first race of the third round of the VP Racing Sportscar Challenge at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. Racer from Toyota Gazoo / Rafa Racing maintained his championship lead in the GSX category after a performance that will be remembered as one of the most heroic in the competition.
The path to the podium was far from easy for Kiko, who had demonstrated the superior pace of his Toyota GR Supra number 8 during free practice. The Rafa Racing Team driver posted the fastest times in both preparation sessions, showing that the car was competitive enough to challenge for victory in this IMSA - VP Racing Sportscar Challenge round.
On Friday (6th), Kiko confirmed the team's excellent work by securing pole position with a time of 1:27.815, establishing himself as the man to beat in Saturday's race. However, what seemed like the perfect scenario for victory turned into an epic challenge after post-qualifying technical inspection revealed an irregularity with the car.
"Unfortunately, after taking pole, we went to technical inspection and they identified that the front of my car was two millimeters lower than the regulations allow. We were in the wrong, so we were disqualified and forced to start from the back," Kiko explained about the penalty that completely changed the race plans.
With the penalty applied, the Brazilian driver had to completely rework his race strategy, starting from the last position on the GSX category grid. What could have been a frustrating weekend turned into a demonstration of talent and determination, with Kiko staging one of the most impressive recovery drives ever seen in the competition.
During the 45-minute race, spanning 29 laps - some under yellow flag conditions - Kiko executed nine overtakes in the GSX category, climbing positions consistently and aggressively. The pace of the Toyota GR Supra number 8 proved superior, allowing the driver to fight through the field until reaching second place.
"Starting from the back, the strategy definitely changed a lot and we had to use everything we had in the tire early on to make those overtakes. When I got to second place, ready to battle for first, we no longer had tire left. At that moment I said, 'okay, this is my limit, I'll respect it and bring points home.' Now calmly, we'll study to see what we're missing to move up one more position on the podium this Sunday," Kiko analyzed after crossing the finish line.
Saturday's performance not only earned important points to maintain the championship lead but also put Kiko in a privileged position for Sunday's race (8th). The Brazilian driver will start third in the GSX category, opening the second row of the grid.
The second race of the third round of the VP Racing Sportscar Challenge is scheduled to begin at 10 AM (Brasília time), with Kiko having another opportunity to pursue victory at Mid-Ohio. The competition is part of the IMSA - International Motor Sport Association calendar, one of the premier organizations in world motorsport.
Brazilian fans and especially Brazilians supporters of Kiko Porto can follow all the excitement of Sunday's race through IMSA's official YouTube channel, where the broadcast will be streamed live. Expectations are high to see if the Brazilian driver can complete the work started on Saturday and claim another victory in the 2025 VP Racing Sportscar Challenge season.
IMSA VP Racing Sportscar Challenge:
The category began in 2023 as a replacement for the IMSA Prototype Challenge. However, it retained the LMP3 class cars from previous seasons while introducing GT4 cars to allow racing with other vehicles. Starting this 2025 season, the series brought a third category, GTDX, open to cars with GT3 specifications.
The competition features two 45-minute races per event weekend, without pit stops or driver changes. Designed as a development category for other IMSA series, drivers must hold a Silver or Bronze FIA (International Automobile Federation) rating to compete in the VP Challenge.
Text by Kako Marques / KMCom Assessoria
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The Brazilian duo faced challenges and couldnt maintain a competitive pace across the two races held at Elkhart Lake.
A dupla brasileira enfrentou dificuldades e não conseguiu manter o ritmo competitivo nas duas corridas disputadas em Elkhart Lake.
Porto will team up with Neugebauer for the fourth round of the North American season, featuring two races at the Wisconsin track.
Porto fará dupla com Neugebauer na quarta etapa da temporada Norte Americana, com duas corridas na pista de Wisconsin.