Cisneros brothers take the Platinum and Gold Cup victories in the 75-minute endurance event

MONTEREY, CA (September 18, 2011) – Both the Platinum and Gold Cup driver’s championships in the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama were decided today at Laguna Seca, as Henrique Cisneros won the Platinum Cup race and the title, while Madison Snow’s second place finish in the 40-lap, 75-minute Round 13 earned him the Gold Cup crown.

The driver’s first task was to manage the race distance, an endurance event simulating what the drivers of the American Le Mans Series Presented by Tequila Patrón experience - up from the usual 45-minute event. Henrique Cisneros, last year’s Gold Cup champion, took the lead on lap 13 when teammate Carlos Kauffman and pole sitter Tim McKenzie came together in turn eight. From then on, it was a matter of keeping the battle behind him, as numerous drivers jumped into the top five only to find themselves involved either in incidents that caused one of the four full course cautions, or enduring car problems. In the end, it was Mark Bullitt, driving the #6 Muscle Milk Team CytoSport Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car, who came from 10th to finish second, ahead of Carlos Gomez (#75 TRG/Axis of Oversteer), up from his 16th place starting position.

For Cisneros, driving the #26 NGT Motorsport Porsche, clinching the title removed a season’s worth of pressure, as two victories in the opening weekend at Sebring put the title squarely in his sights. His GTC experience this year in three ALMS races (finishing third/third/seventh in the #30 NGT Porsche) helped him establish the pace that helped clinched the title.

“The season has been the most fun I’ve ever had in my life,” said Cisneros, earning his fourth victory of the year. “I had a fantastic race, so I couldn’t be happier. Thanks to Ramez (Wahab), my team owner and to my wife and daughter for letting me have so much fun! I’m so glad that I can enjoy the last two races without any pressure. From GTC, I’ve really learned how to be fast and conserve my energy, so I was calm and collected, and focused on being consistent. I couldn’t be happier!”

Eduardo Cisneros, driving the #29 NGT Motorsports Porsche in the Gold Cup class, Madison Snow, in the #62 Snow Racing Porsche and yesterday’s winner, Mike Hedlund (#64 Jerry Woods Enterprises) who started on the class pole, exchanged the lead several times through the race, with Cisneros in the lead when the checkered came out. To take his sixth race victory on the day his brother clinched the Platinum Cup title made it that much more special.

“It was a grueling race,” said Cisneros. “I had a bad start and fell behind but starting picking off guys. I was in fourth for a while but slowly got to the lead. I had some great passes and the yellow flags gave us some breathing room. But this day is all about Henrique. I’m thrilled that he won the championship for a second year in a row. He came in as a rookie in the Gold Class and has done a great job in Platinum and will be great in GTC next year.

For the 15-year-old Snow, son of 2009 Gold Cup Champion Melanie Snow and 2009 Platinum Cup runner up Martin Snow, the unexpected result of his rookie season in the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama initially brought more relief than excitement.

“I knew all I had to do was get a good finish and I’d have the championship,” said Snow, who came into the race with a 47-point lead over second place Mitch Landry. “So that’s what I was working on. I took the opportunity if it came to me, otherwise, I stayed back. It was a fun race, even though my radio went out – all I could hear was static, so I unplugged it and would plug it back in during the yellows. I couldn’t hear anyone, so I was surprised when the checkered flag came out – I figured the race was half over! I am really happy to have the championship done – I can go to Road Atlanta and just have fun out there!”

Hedlund, yesterday’s race winner in his first event with the series, saw his share of action.

“I was exhausted about halfway through,” said Hedlund. “Then it started to get a little ‘argy-bargy’ so my adrenalin started flowing again. It was smooth sailing til the end – I lost a couple of spots, but it was fun. A little bit of car damage, but it’s all in one piece and it was a great experience.”

TPC Racing’s Michael Levitas earned the Yokohama Hard Charger Award for his drive up the field from 12 to fourth.

The IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama features semi-professional drivers racing head to head in the largest single-make series in North America. Powered by one of the world’s most successful race cars, the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car, the multi-class structure of the series teaches drivers essential skills for an eventual career in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón.

The series is divided into two classes; the Platinum Cup, featuring the more powerful 2011 and 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars, and the Gold Cup, which includes 2005½ - 2009 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars. Both classes race on environmentally-focused Yokohama ADVAN ENV-R2 racing tires.

The IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama season will end with Rounds 14 and 15 at Petit Le Man September 28 - 30. The series will have two 45-minute races at Road Atlanta – Thursday at 1:45pm and Friday at 11:30am EDT.For full results, live timing, news and schedule information, visit http://www.imsachallenge.com/. 

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