GRIDLIFE GLTC field packed with experience, newcomers, at 2021 COTA kickoff
AUSTIN, TX -
The GRIDLIFE Touring Cup (GLTC) wheel-to-wheel racing series makes its second trip to Austin’s Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in conjunction with Super Lap Battle USA this weekend, March 5-7th. The familiar juggernauts of last year’s champion Eric Kutil, and the runner-up Aaron Leichty, will make their first appearances in GLTC at the 3.5 mile, 20 turn road course. Leichty will be wearing all white this weekend - behind the wheel of a 2010 Porsche Cayman, a striking change from his Honda powered Miata which scored the most victories of any car last season (9).
Several other regulars in GLTC will also join the grid in Texas - including the quartet of Ford Duratech-swapped NC Miatas, driven by two-time race winner Luke McGrew, Erik Meadows, Justin Lee, and newcomer Gary Wimble. Two GRIDLIFE TrackBattle time attack record holders will make the jump to wheel-to-wheel racing this season. Austin Hertel’s Street Class Nissan 370Z has been reconfigured for GLTC, while Jeremy Swenson spent the off-season building a 2001 C5 Corvette.
For frontrunners Leichty and Kutil, the biggest threat to their season-long title run may come from another 370Z - this one dressed in carbon from Chris Forsberg Racing. Behind the wheel will be 2011 GT Academy champion, Bryan Heitkotter, who will add GLTC to an impressive list of racing experience - including seasons in World Challenge and IMSA. The RSX crew of Jeremy Boysen and Ben Dozeman are back again this season, representing two of the six front-wheel drive entries.
GLTC’s thrilling single class sprint-race format sets four 15-minute sprint races across the weekend, with drivers competing on a variety of drivetrains, tire compounds, power levels, and weights. Circuit of the Americas will provide a unique challenge for GLTC drivers, with one of the fastest average speeds of any track on the schedule.
The action at the GRIDLIFE Touring Cup 2021 debut at COTA will be live on YouTube and Facebook via Super Lap Battle this Saturday. Following the COTA Debut, GRIDLIFE will host eight additional GLTC races through the GRIDLIFE 2021 competitive season. All GRIDLIFE events will be livestreamed on GRIDLIFE’s Facebook and YouTube channels, and are presented with the support of the GLTC 2021 Season Sponsors: FCP Euro, Valvoline, Advance Auto Parts, MOMO and Hawk Performance.
The next GLTC race on schedule is to be held at the Grand Circuit at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY.
GRIDLIFE TOURING CUP ENTRY LIST - CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS
0 - Ben Dozeman - ‘02 Acura RSX
3 - Erik Meadows - ‘09 Mazda MX-5
3 - Jeremy Swenson - ‘01 Chevrolet Corvette
05 - Bryan Heitkotter - ‘10 Nissan 370Z
5 - Luke McGrew - ‘07 Mazda MX-5
14 - Emile Tabb - ‘91 Mazda Miata
16 - George Koustoumbardis - ‘03 Mazda Miata
19 - Aaron Leichty - ‘10 Porsche Cayman
23 - Jordan Wallace - ‘95 Acura Integra GSR
33 - Justin Lee - ‘06 Mazda MX-5
34 - Austin Hertel - ‘13 Nissan 370Z
36 - Tyler Starr - ‘91 Honda CRX
71 - Joel Morrison - ‘07 Honda S2000
82 - Eric Kutil - ‘92 Honda Civic Si
87 - Nicholas Stentiford - ‘05 Honda S2000
99 - Jeremy Boysen - ‘02 Acura RSX
101 - Gary Wimble - ‘06 Mazda MX-5
525 - Dysen Pham - ‘07 Honda S2000
898 - Brian DeFrees - ‘09 Honda Civic
GRIDLIFE GLTC COMPETITIVE SCHEDULE 2021
GLTC 2020 GALLERY
