Baltas, Hartog Overcome Conditions to Post Pro Class Wins
MONTREAL – The Porsche Carrera Cup North America ran its second of three race weekends with the Formula 1 World Championship this week in Montréal, Québec, Canada, splitting overall race winners. The Formula 1 AWS Grand Prix du Canada, run at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, offered two rounds of weather and on-track challenges. The pair of 40-minute races faced torrential rains that directly impacted both rounds, seeing each finish under the caution flag. The Pro class saw first-timer Yves Baltas take the top step on Saturday and three-time winner Loek Hartog added to his points lead on Sunday. The Pro-Am class witnessed veteran James Sofronas take the first race while Moisey Uretsky enjoyed his return to the podium in Race 2. The Masters class remained the territory of points leader Matt Halcome, who added back-to-back victories in the all Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race car series.
Round 5, Saturday.
The question of weather hovered over the 2.71-mile, 14-turn Circuit Gilles Villeneuve like the clouds themselves. As the late-afternoon green-flag time approached, series officials offered the tire choice to the competitors. Putting more weight on the dry conditions at the start, each of the 32 entries picked Yokohama’s ADVAN A005 racing slick over the ADVAN A006 tire for wet conditions. That choice would set the tone for the remainder of the race.
Overall points leader, Hartog brought the field to the green flag in his No. 24 Kellymoss Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car. When the field was set free, it was an impressive move into the first turn that allowed Yves Baltas to press his No. 15 MDK Motorsports Porsche ahead of Hartog for the lead. The move would be the key of the race as the weather made itself the key player in this round.
The dry-weather start quickly changed to wet as the clocked ticked. By the end of Lap 1, rain had started to fall. With the clock at 30 minutes remaining, the yellow would fall across the field as the rain increased intensity. Race officials called for a red flag four minutes later. The full field would pull down pit lane and begin switching to Yokohama’s grooved rain tire. With five minutes remaining in Round 5 of the championship, the field lined up and hoped for a restart that would not come. The checkered flag was shown, giving Baltas his first career Porsche Carrera Cup North America victory. By virtue of a pass for the Pro-Am class lead just before the yellow flag was thrown, Sofronas added to his win total. The popular “Mystery Machine” entry of 2021 champion Halcome strengthened his points lead taking the Masters class win.
Round 6, Sunday.
When the sun rose over Montréal on Sunday morning, it was behind a rain cloud. There was no surprise when race officials mandated the Yokohama ADVAN A006 wet-weather tire for Round 6 of the 2024 season. With the grid for Race 2 based on the second fastest lap in Saturday morning’s qualifying session, Hartog was again at the tip of the field. The first-year series driver learned the lesson from the previous afternoon and controlled the grid all the way to the green. His ability to keep the top spot became the critical moment of his race. The Dutchman went on to lead every lap in the No. 24 Kellymoss-prepared Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car.
The rain continued to fall harder as the race progressed. Spins resulting in damage ended the race for Masters championship contender Chris Bellomo in the No. 68 and Andre Renha Fernandes in the No. 91. Jordan Wallace and Sabré Cook would also spin but continue. At the race’s midpoint, Colin Kaminsky made hard contact with the barrier near the pit entrance. The No. 77 did its job protecting Kaminsky. However, the damage to the wall at this critical location on the track could not be repaired in time to restart the race. Officials ended the race with 10 minutes remaining on the clock.
Joining Hartog on the victory stand was Uretsky driving the No. 44 Baby Bull Racing Porsche to the Pro-Am class win – his second in the last three races. Halcome repeated his winning performance in the No. 55.
- Pro class
- Race 1. Yves Baltas, No. 15 MDK Motorsports.
- Race 2. Loek Hartog, 24 Kellymoss.
- Pro-Am class
- Race 1. James Sofronas, No. 14 GMG Motorsports.
- Race 2. Moisey Uretsky, No. 44 Baby Bull Racing
- Masters class
- Races 1 & 2. Matt Halcome, No. 55 ACI Motorsports.
- On point.
- Pro class. Loek Hartog, No. 24 Kellymoss
- Pro-Am class. Moisey Uretsky, No. 44 Baby Bull Racing
- Masters class. Matt Halcome, No. 55 ACI Motorsports
- Entrant. Kellymoss
All 2024 races are archived on Porsche Motorsport North America TV: (https://www.youtube.com/c/PorscheMotorsportNorthAmerica).
Porsche Carrera Cup North America: www.PorscheCarreraCup.us
Next June 20-22, Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, N.Y., Rounds 7 and 8.