Pirelli Ultimate Track Car Challenge photos and video
Fastest car wins. This simple premise is the driving force behind the Pirelli Ultimate Track Car Challenge presented by Grassroots Motorsports, and racers seem to favor the event’s less-is-more approach to rules. In fact, a record 65 competitors vied for that one golden lap under the NASA Time Trial format at the fifth-annual event, held July 23, 2010. Entries ranged from home garage builds to factory and professional efforts.
Here's some video from the pre-race activities, including tech inspection and an early morning photoshoot on track.
Watch the beginning of the event as competitors line up in grid for the warmup session and take the green flag for the first timed session. Crank the sound for this one, because these incredible cars make truly glorious noises.
The Turn In Concepts WRX STI raised the bar on four-cylinder performance at the UTCC. Take a ride with driver Tony Wiesenhahn as he works his way to a 4th place finish in the Shop Varsity class.
Dodge had an incredible showing at the Pirelli Ultimate Track Car Challenge, and pro driver Kuno Wittmer worked hard to make it happen. We collected this in-car video during the third timed session on track as he worked to chase down overall winner Phil Currin and his Hemi Challenger. Even with 640 horsepower the Viper is left behind on the straights, but the Viper managed to close the gap in the corners, eventually finishing only .036 seconds behind the Challenger.
We asked NASA Mid-Atlantic director and 3-time Spec E30 National Champion Chris Cobetto to give us a guided lap around Virginia International Raceway. Listen in on his tips as he talks us through his first qualifying lap.
This year’s event offered a large number of awards to go along with its healthy turnout. Competitors won prizes from Pirelli, HRE Wheels, Dodge, Exedy, AEM Performance and Grassroots Motorsports, amounting to more than $11,000. A big thank-you goes out to our sponsors for providing the generous prizes for the 2010 Ultimate Track Car Challenge.
