Team TRG heads to the Crescent City for Round 2 of GT4 racing, and, like a Mardi Gras parade “second-liner” on Fat Tuesday, they are ready for action and excitement. Both Porsche teams are headed to the delta poised to engage in the first ever Pirelli GT4 America race weekend at NOLA Motorsports Park, located 30 minutes southwest of the French Quarter in New Orleans.

After supply chain issues and other teething problems made the original Ozarks' location untenable, SRO Motorsports did a quick and artful pivot to the bayou venue. “Part of racing is adapting to change, but also getting to enjoy some great locations around the world. I’m excited to step onto the NOLA Motorsports park for my first time and also look forward to the gaps where we’ll get to enjoy the great city of New Orleans,” notes Derek DeBoer of TRG’s #66.

NOLA Motorsports Park has much to offer for racing excitement. A technical track, the 2.75 mile road course features 16 Turns and a 5,800 ft straightaway. It should be a fun ride and entertaining to watch. Robert Orcutt, co-driver of #17 observes, "I love the challenge of being on a new track….where are the reference points, turn in points, apexes, and how do I create more speed?" Jason Alexandridis, co-driver of TRG #66 notes, "This is a new track for us but it reminds me a lot of Utah, and, oh, do we love Utah!”

32 GT4 entries will grace the field; two of which are TRG’s #66 and #17, both competing at the AM level. The drivers are excited about the new ground. “Just keep the hurricane from blowing in and the alligators off the track and we should have a great racing weekend,” quips Dr. Jim Rappaport of #17. Although he adds, “With a last minute change from the Ozarks to New Orleans for this race, we are as prepared as can be.”

THE COMEBACK KIDS
After both triumph and heartbreak in Sonoma, #66 drivers, Derek DeBoer and Jason Alexandridis are ready to get back to racing. The colorful Robert Williams-themed livery—worthy of its own Mardi Gras parade—has been lovingly restored after a prang at the end of Sonoma’s Race 2 re-arranged the design beyond recognition. Fortunately, the smash-up didn’t do the same to driver, Jason Alexandridis. In fact, he hopes the city’s nickname is an indicator of TRG success, “The Big Easy, I certainly hope that translates to our race. Although, no race in SRO is ever easy so I kinda doubt it....Let's go!!!!!!"

TEAMWORK IS DREAM WORK
Many of the challenges of scoping out a completely new track are attended to by behind the scenes crew members. Robert Orcutt has this to say about the addition of his 58th lifetime track, "The TRG crew members and I always find ways of going faster and better. #17's chief, Kyle Downs is a fresh new talent, and we also have a new engineer in Mike Johnson." Orcutt also shouts out Weston Farmer, Team Manager, for his "vast experience and familiar voice on the radio" and Alicia Bush, Hospitality and Logistics Coordinator, for her organization, "so that the rest of us can have even more fun and do what we do even better."

Behind all the crew machinations are the steadfast and enthusiastic sponsors. TRACE3 is continuing team TRG sponsorship after acquiring LaSalle Solutions, a partner for a number of years. They will be present at the new venue to enjoy activities on and off track.

Kevin Buckler

TRG OWNER AND CEO

We are so looking forward to being a part of the first-ever international race at NOLA Motorsports park, and we really appreciate Greg Gill’s efforts to keep both the racing — and the momentum of the Pirelli GT4 America racing season — on schedule. This track is new to Team TRG. Our drivers cannot wait to test the feel of the track—or taste the Hurricanes in the French Quarter.

I raced my second ever professional race here on the downtown streets of New Orleans in 1995 (pictured above). We parked inside the Superdome with the trucks and trailers and wheeled the cars out through the big doors and onto the circuit. It was unbelievable! We had just won the previous race at Sonoma and I had raced against Billy Auberlein to the finish; and, this time the order was reversed. I learned so much and we have good MOJO here.

Competing in motorsports at this level requires focus, training and flexibility, and I know our drivers have the skills it takes to apply all their expertise to this new course. And, in between the hard work on the track, we have the legendary and historic City of New Orleans to enjoy. Just racing here is a special treat and a podium win would be lagniappe.

As they say here, “Laissez les bon temps rouler.” In our case, I would add, “Let the good TRACK times roll!”