The #78 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2, pushed by Misha Goikhberg, Patrick Liddy and endurance team-mate Loris Spinelli endured a trio of drive-through penalties all through the 10-hour contest, together with two with roughly two hours remaining.
Spinelli was charged with altering lanes throughout a restart process and was handed the primary penalty. The second got here after a run-in with the #Coronary heart of Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3, whereas the third got here for being outdoors the pit stall.
Regardless of the problems, the California-based outfit utilized gas technique and, after the #10 Wayne Taylor Racing Acura crashed out with an hour to go, discovered itself within the lead. Ultimately, the workforce completed 5.873s forward of Robby Foley within the #96 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT3 to say a maiden class victory.
“The sensation is wonderful, particularly as a result of it is my first time on this observe,” Spinelli stated.
“The race began rather well. We have been preventing for the highest 5 after a pair hours, however sadly, we bought a pair penalty drive-throughs. The workforce placed on a tremendous effort in the previous couple of hours.
“The automobile was actually drivable. I am tremendous pleased. It is a consequence that we deserve already in the beginning of the season as a result of we confirmed at all times good pace. A bit unfortunate, a bit with not a number of expertise, however we’re prepared for 2024.”
Photograph by: Michael L. Levitt
#78 US RaceTronics Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2: Misha Goikhberg, Loris Spinelli, Patrick Liddy
The win on the 2.54-mile,12-turn highway course adopted a runner-up consequence on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway highway course final month.
Moreover, it marked 4 high 5 outcomes during the last 5 rounds after not scoring any within the opening six races. Ultimately, the mix of outcomes vaulted Goikhberg and Spinelli to fifth within the GTD standings to shut out the 12 months.
“It has been roughly a 12 months when the seed began to be planted for a program for this 12 months,” Goikhberg stated. “There’s been a number of irritating races the place we have been nearly there, and one thing at all times appeared to go incorrect.
“To complete the season on a robust word, to get Lamborghini a win and to actually show to ourselves that we’re able to profitable and to actually to go onerous in preparation for 2024, which accurately begins this week, I believe it is essential for the morale of the workforce. “Simply understanding we are able to do it, that is large for us.”
For his half, Liddy shared how far the workforce has come since contesting in Lamborghini Tremendous Trofeo North America.
“I’ve been with US RaceTronics and Forte since I entered the IMSA paddock in Tremendous Trofeo,” Liddy stated. “I do know everybody on the workforce, Shane (Seneviratne) and Trish (Donovan), everybody that was doing pit stops since then.
“It’s been very cool as a result of I’ve heard a number of instances that it’s a Tremendous Trofeo workforce working a GT3 automobile. It’s such a giant step as much as the GT3 stage that I didn’t even recognize till I bought right here. It’s wonderful to see the workforce come collectively over the season and are available out with a win on the final race. It reveals the workforce’s momentum, so I’m extremely happy with them.
“Superb driving from Loris and Misha as effectively, and we had some technique wizards of our personal.”
