Elkhart Lake, WI - Ryan Gates continued his impressive performance in GT Sports Club America competition winning Round 5 Saturday afternoon at Road America. Mark Issa finished second, Jason Bell finished third. Stu Frederick finished fourth overall and first in the Iron category.
Held under ideal weather conditions at the 4.048-mile, 14-turn circuit, Issa, from pole, launched successfully into the lead behind the wheel of his #31 TR3 Racing Ferrari 488 GT3. Gates in his #311 Porsche 911 GT2 RS CS slotted into second, while Frederick, in the #57 GMG Racing Porsche 911 GT2 RS CS slotted into third and Bell, in the #2 GMG Racing 911 GT2 RS CS fourth. Gates would then execute a pass on Issa and then push his lead to as much as 14-seconds during the course of the race. Bell and Frederick would also pass Issa on lap 3. The driver of the #31 machine regrouped though and began a multi-lap battle with Frederick.
Then on lap 12, Issa's constant hounding paid off as Frederick ran wide through turn 8 and the driver of the #31 machine moved up into third overall. Issa then began to hunt down Bell and a lap later executed a pass through turn 8.
At the checkered, Gates won by 9.3 seconds over Issa. Results are provisional until posted final. GT Sports Club America drivers now get set for Sunday's Round 6 race scheduled to go green at 1:15 pm local time. Watch the race live on youtube.com/GTWorld.
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PROVISIONAL RESULTS - Pending