Having raced to her first podium in SRO America TCA Class competition in 2019, Taylor Hagler will return to the series to race in the top category this year. She will open the 2021 Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS season this weekend at Sonoma Raceway onboard the No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports Acura NSX GT3 Evo.
The race weekend features two 90-minute races on Saturday, March 6th and Sunday, March 7th. The visit to the wine country circuit is Hagler’s third start at the Northern California course that features 12 turns on the 2.52-mile configuration. Her first two Sonoma starts came in 2019 behind the wheel of a Honda Civic Si in TC America competition which saw her capture a top-five finish.
While the green flag for Race 1 will mark Hagler’s first race start in the Acura NSX GT3 Evo, Hagler has plenty of track time onboard the championship-winning platform.
Hagler participated in the inaugural HPD GT3 Driver Academy that allowed her time behind the wheel of the Acura at four road-course tracks. Hagler received coaching from championship caliber Acura veterans to help her learn and excel in the rear-engine sports car.
Hagler will be joined by fellow HPD GT3 Driver Academy graduate Dakota Dickerson as her teammate for the first race of the 2021 SRO season.
The Texas-native had her first test in the No. 93 Acura NSX at The Thermal Club in preparation for the weekend at Sonoma.
“Getting back into the Acura NSX GT3 Evo for the first time this year was refreshing,” said Hagler. “The Acura is a powerful machine that is exciting to drive. Testing at The Thermal Club allowed me to get seat time and work with the Racers Edge Motorsports team to prepare
myself for two 90-minute races. We worked hard to tune in the car and are ready to head to Sonoma Raceway.”
Hagler will make her first Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS start in a field of 14 GT3 cars. Utilizing her knowledge of the GT3 platform, Hagler is focused on a strong run in the No. 93 Acura.
“Sonoma is a technical and flowing track that the Acura is well suited for,” said Hagler. “Having worked with Dakota (Dickerson) during the HPD GT3 Driver Academy I am familiar with his driving style and that will help us find a good set up and succeed on track. We are capable of standing on the podium and are focused on doing so.”
The race weekend at Sonoma opens with two test sessions on Thursday, March 4th followed by practice on Friday. Qualifying for Race 1 and 2 will start the day on Saturday, March 6th with the green flag for Race 1 at 2:45PM PT. Race 2 will go green at 1:15PM PT on Sunday, March 7th. All races will be live on www.youtube.com/GTWorld.
Source. Sunday Group
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