The no.68 TRG Porsche splashes around Homestead-Miami Speedway (Photo Credit: Grand-Am)
Four Porsche 911 GT3 Cup racers finished a rain shortened race inside the top four of the GT class in the Rolex Series Grand Prix of Miami.
After a strong opening to the season for representatives of the German marque a rain off qualifying session meant a grid set by championship standings played into the hands of the Porsche teams with three of to five spots led by John Potter's Magnus Racing entry on pole position – his first for his own team. Andrew Davis started the Brumos Racing no.59 from third with Steven Bertheau and the no.67 TRG car fifth.
At the start of racing proper – after the green flag initially fell to the pace car due to the continuingly torrential rain – Potter maintained the lead until a lap ten spin the infield elevated a Mazda to lead and Davis to second. Davis then moved the Brumos car into the lead when the class leader pitted under another full course yellow, Potter, now well back from the lead battle handing the Magnus car over to Andy Lally – a man chasing his 100th Grand-Am class podium.
At the head of the class Davis swapped the lead with another of the Mazda's the Brumos driver initially losing out before retaking the lead as his rival spun, another to hit problems in the conditions.
Davis would hold onto the lead until what would turn out to be the final green flag lap of the event when a Ferrari 458 snuck past to take the class win.
After pitstops had taken place in expectation of another restart Grand-Am officials decided to finish the race early. Spencer Pumpelly, in the TRG charge started by Bertheau finished up as the best of the Porsches in fourth with Leh Keen – only just in the driving seat of the Brumos ride sixth and Lally seventh. The no.68 – another TRG entry driven by Emilio DiGuda and Jeroen Bleekemolen was eighth.
