Clay Williams Wins the SRO TC Driver’s Championship for the JCW Race Team

DimON · October 13, 2023

After a number of ups and downs over the last weekend of races, Clay Williams scored enough points to secure the coveted Driver’s Championship in the fiercely competitive Touring Car (TC) class of the 2023 SRO TC America series. This milestone victory marked the first Driver’s Championship for the 21-year-old from Oakley, California.

The MINI JCW Team, run by LAP Motorsports, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., was also honored with the title of Crew of the Year by the series’ esteemed cadre of participants and competitors.

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Williams amassed an impressive tally of five first-place finishes, five second-place finishes, and one third-place finish, contributing to 11 out of the team’s remarkable 21 podium appearances across this season in both the TC and Touring Car A (TCA) classes. Williams left an indelible mark by achieving an impressive four consecutive victories, securing the 1st in four consecutive races.

The MINI JCW Team, under the leadership of Luis Perocarpi and Rob Ridgely at LAP Motorsports, was also awarded Crew of the Year by the series’ distinguished participants and competitors. This remarkable recognition from their fellow competitors is a testament to their outstanding performance, made even more extraordinary by the fact that the team operates with just three full-time crew members. Throughout the season, these dedicated crew members received invaluable support from over 20 skilled MINI dealer technicians, who worked hand-in-hand with the team during practice, qualifying, and race days as part of the MINI Technician Race Crew Program. Their contributions ranged from intricate engine replacements to bodywork, all executed right in the paddock, amidst the hustle and bustle of on-track sessions.

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I am simply overwhelmed by the pride I feel for this exceptional team, following yet another immensely successful season. Our consistent performance, unparalleled in the paddock, stands as a testament to Clay’s flawless driving and the exceptional caliber of our crew, as recognized by our fellow competitors.
Luis Perocarpi, team owner at LAP Motorsports

Clay Williams was not the lone star on the MINI JCW Team to grace the podium this season. Williams’ close friend and teammate, 20-year-old Cristian Perocarpi, achieved an impressive seven podium finishes in the #37 MINI JCW PRO, including a noteworthy second-place finish at both Circuit of the Americas and Road America. Team veteran P.J. Groenke also made his mark, clinching three podium finishes in the #62 MINI JCW in the TCA class. His remarkable journey included his maiden career win at Virginia International Raceway and third-place finishes at NOLA Motorsports Park and Road America. To make the season even more memorable, Williams, Perocarpi, and Groenke were joined by a stellar cast of drivers, including Bruce Myrehn, Landon Lewis, and MINI Canada’s Alain Lauziere, who all competed fiercely in the TCA class.

The MINI JCW Race Team concluded the SRO TC America Series as the runner-up in both the Manufacturer’s Championship and Team Championship, just missing out on a triple crown of championships for 2023.