The MINI JCW Team Wins at Road America

DimON · August 23, 2023

MINI USA and the MINI John Cooper Works Team kicked-off the second half of the 2023 SRO TC America season with an impressive performance at the iconic Road America circuit. Their campaign yielded a grand total of four podium finishes, comprising a first-place victory, a second-place finish, and two hard fought third-places as well.

The 4.1 mile track saw Clay Williams (#60) clinching a close victory in Race 2 of the Touring Car (TC) class – the final race of the weekend. Cristian Perocarpi, #3, made it the podium twice despite some software struggles. His stellar performance secured a well-deserved second place in Race 1 (missing a win by thousands of a second) and a respectable third place in Race 2 of the TC class. P.J. Groenke, behind the wheel of the #62 MINI JCW, built upon his prior success at VIR by claiming the third spot in Race 1 for the Touring Car A (TCA) class.

mini Cooper race car — SRO America Road America 2023 – The traditional parade at Elkhart Lake.

Hailing from Brownsburg, Indiana, the LAP Motorsports team, responsible for the operation of the MINI JCW Team, received invaluable support throughout the weekend from a certified MINI Dealer technician. This technician, none other than the skilled Miguel Ponce de Leon from International MINI in Milwaukee, has steadfastly stood by the team’s side for the past four races at Road America. Ponce de Leon was a tireless presence throughout the weekend at Road America, highlighting the importance of the technical expertise that underpins the team’s racing endeavors.

Luis Perocarpi, the illustrious team owner of LAP Motorsports, commended the team’s resilience in the face of numerous challenges over the weekend. Their determination bore fruit with a multitude of podium finishes, keeping them at the top of the TC class standings for the year. Perocarpi proudly stated, “I’m incredibly proud of this team and our continued success this season. With just four races left in the season, we’re ready to face the pressure from our competitors and defend our spot at the top.”

Although the MINI JCW Team didn’t quite replicate the sweeping victories of the previous year at Road America, the results from the recent weekend underscored their position as the undisputed leaders in the 2023 TC class standings. Clay Williams, the pilot of the #60 MINI JCW Pro, remains atop the individual driver standings in the TC class, boasting a commanding points lead after a streak of consecutive wins. Williams also wrapped up the 2022 season in second place in the Driver’s Championship within the TC class.

The next race in the 2023 SRO TC America series is scheduled for September 22 to 24 at the Sebring International Raceway followed by the season finale October 5 to 8 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway