• Gradient Racing’s day ends with brake rotor failure, contact
  • Wheel bearing problem stops Magnus with Archangel Acura

 

ALTON, Va. (Oct. 9, 2021) – Separate issues resulted in an early end for both Acura NSX GT3 Evo teams in today’s IMSA Michelin GT Challenge at VIR.

2021-VIR-Magnus

After a strong opening stint from starting driver Till Bechtolsheimer, co-driver Mario Farnbacher was looking to move up the GTD order when brake rotor failure resulted in the #66 Gradient Racing Acura NSX GT3 Evo making heavy contact with the tire barriers.  Farnbacher was uninjured in the crash. 

 

Later in the race, Andy Lally was forced to retire the #44 Magnus with Archangel NSX he shared with starting driver John Potter following a wheel bearing failure. 

 

IMSA Michelin GT Challenge at VIR Acura GTD Race Results

  • 14th GTD - #44 John Potter, Andy Lally, Magnus with Archangel Acura NSX GT3 Evo
  • 15th GTD - #66 Till Bechtolsheimer, Mario Farnbacher, Gradient Racing Acura NSX GT3 Evo

Quote

Lee Niffenegger (Honda Performance Development NSX GT3 Program Manager) on today’s race: “The Gradient car was fast today, and showed some potential.  I think, with the [full course] caution [later in the race], we would’ve been in position for a good result.  But we had an unusual brake rotor issue that led to a heavy impact for Mario [Farnbacher].  Fortunately, he was unhurt. Credit to Andy [Lally] for detecting the issue with the Magnus car, and bringing the car into pit lane.  It was a tough day, but we’ll learn from it and go on to Petit Le Mans.”

Next

The full WeatherTech SportsCar Championship field, including the Acura ARX-05 prototypes from Meyer Shank Racing and Wayne Taylor Racing, returns for next month’s 2021 season finale, the November 11-13 Motul Petit Le Mans 10-hour endurance contest at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, November 13.