Anthony Bartone (Miami, Fla.) and Andy Pilgrim (Miami, Fla.) will drive a Bartone Bros Racing with RealTime Mercedes-AMG GT3 car in the 2023 Fanatec GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS Championship races at Sonoma Raceway, March 31 – April 2.
Following a strong AWS Championship weekend at the St. Petersburg Grand Prix earlier this month where Bartone took home the Crowdstrike Fastest Race Lap award for race two and Pilgrim was awarded both Masters Class trophies for the weekend, the duo will combine in one car for the two 90-minute Fanatec GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS Championship races at Sonoma Raceway this weekend.
In addition, Bartone will also compete in the two 40-minute GT America Powered by AWS Championship races in Sonoma. Pilgrim will coach Bartone in the short events and co-drive with him in the 90-minute races.
“Running four races on a weekend won’t be that big of a deal,” Bartone said. “Last year at Sebring we ran all four races. My fitness level is good, and I am looking forward to logging the extra miles.”
The team had the opportunity to test at Sonoma Raceway last week.
“On the SIM, Sonoma Raceway looks pretty technical,” Bartone continued. “In person, I can confirm it is technical. We had changing conditions with a cold track and even some rain. It took a good five laps to get heat into the Pirelli tires. We were able to get a good baseline setup on our Mercedes-AMG GT3 cars. Andy and the RealTime guys have a lot of experience there, and I was able to get up to speed quickly. The weather is looking about the same for this weekend, cold with rain on Sunday for the Fanatec race.”
Pilgrim will co-drive and impart his knowledge of Sonoma Raceway onto Bartone over the weekend.
“We put in a lot of laps at Sonoma Raceway last week,” Pilgrim said. “It was good we did the test as the wet and cold conditions for our runs last week are looking like it will be the same for the race weekend. Anthony did a good job working up to speed, learning the track, getting heat into the tires, and managing traffic this past week.”
The team is the only AM team entered for the Fanatec GT World Challenge race.
“Even though we are the lone entry for the AM race we are going to stay the course,” Pilgrim explained. “We are focused on getting Anthony quality miles and being among a field of Pro/Am entries will be good experience for him and us a team. I will be co-driving with him in the 90-minute races and helping him with race craft, data, and overall support in the 40-minute GT America races.”
The Sonoma Raceway natural terrain road course located 30-miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge features more than 160 feet of elevation change from its highest point (Turn 3a, 174 feet) to its lowest point (Turn 10, 14 feet). The 2.52 mile, 12-turn undulating layout is a challenge for drivers and a fan favorite as it is located at the gateway to California’s wine country.
The team would like to thank sponsors Red Line Oil, Roger Dean Chevrolet, and Talon Air.
For more information on Bartone Bros Racing, including race recaps and photos, please visit the team site at www.BartoneBrosRacing.com.