Bayley goes testing in the USA!
McElrea Racing has successfully debuted in the Porsche Carrera Cup North America championship this year, and it became time for Bayley to get overseas and try out a different car and new track.
The Porsche GT3 cup car used in competition in America is the same specification 992 however they use ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) which essentially means a computer controls each wheel and prevents locking up, which is not a feature we use in Australia. ‘It was quite a noticeable difference, the car can be set up much stiffer and improves the grip all around the car.’
Road America was the chosen circuit for Bayley to jump in the drivers seat. This track is 4 miles long (6.44km) and has three long straights where we use 6th gear more than anywhere in Australia. It was a fast, flowing but also narrow circuit that really challenges the best drivers. ‘There was about three cars written off on just a test day, so it shows you how this place and really bite you.’
Bayley also got to meet some more teams and understand the American junior program which selects 1 – 3 of the best Carrera Cup drivers and guides them along a journey into the IMSA GTD program which is the pinnacle of GT3 car racing in the USA. Bayley’s ultimate goal.
Bayley completed just over an hour in Tom Sargent’s car who is currently 2nd in the driver championship in his debut year in Carrera Cup as well.
