Round 2 Recap
Updated: Aug 10
Just hours after Jake Little claimed victory during Round 1 of the inaugural Gateway ProAm series, the same roster of drivers suited up to do battle again for part two of the double header weekend. This time, three new drivers would stand on the podium.
While the first iteration ran the traditional clockwise layout, drivers were faced with an all new challenge as the course was run in reverse. Now putting the lengthy sweeper at the beginning with a far shorter runup than before, drivers would slingshot out of the now-increasing radius turn and throw the hammer down through the esses finishing up where they had started the day prior.
This time, conditions were hot and dry with no rain in the forecast, a typical setting for a World Wide Technology Raceway event.
Though Allen Boss set the qualifying pace with an 85 at Round 1, the top five qualifiers this round were all higher. Calvin Fredrick and his black C6 scored a 94, the highest recorded qualifying score yet in the series. Joseph Lampe and Gabriel Beaurivage were tied in second with 91s, while Boss gained five points from the day before to sit at 90. Ethan Hodges wrapped the top five spots with an 88. With Round 1 taking its toll on a few competitors, the top three qualifiers earned automatic entries into the Great 8.
This set the bracket so Round 1 winner Jake Little faced Gerald Naler-Smith in the first bout of Top 16, with the young gun’s chance of a repeat victory being cut short as Naler-Smith took the nod from the judges. Likewise, Chris Sachanski, who had finished second place the day before, was knocked out early by Ethan Hodges in his red 1.5JZ-motivated 350Z. Current PROSPEC competitor Allen Boss also advanced his 350Z to the Great 8 with a win over Tomas Palčauskas minty S14 in their pairing.
On the other side of the bracket, Dani Morand in his E36 bested Formula Drift PROSPEC driver Luis Lanz’s E46 to meet Beaurivage in the next round. Moe Aldhamen, the last remaining podium finisher from the day before, was also knocked out in Top 16 by former PROSPEC driver Josh Robinson in his Texas Drift Academy 350Z. Robinson would meet local favorite Lampe and his blue Lexus SC in his Great 8 battle.
Though his bye-run got him into the Great 8, Frederick ultimately fell to Naler-Smith in their pairing, eliminating the chance for another Corvette driver to hold a trophy. In the next battle of 350Zs, Hodges edged Boss to secure a spot in the Final Four. Beaurivage and Lampe showed their free pass into the Great 8 wasn’t in vain, as both advanced in their battles over Morand and Robinson, respectively.
Moving one step closer to the podium, Hodges muscled past Naler-Smith to secure a spot in the finale, while Beaurivage did the same in a win over Lampe. This put the two losers in a battle for third, with Lampe ultimately earning the bronze.
In the finals, Beaurivage was closer to Hodges’ door on his chase run, but transitioning out of the sweeper into the straight, the Canadian got a bit too aggressive and went off course, a move that ultimately cost him the win. For Hodges, the victory also meant his first time on the podium.
"I did three seasons of Klutch Kickers in this car," Hodges said. "I usually was getting knocked out in Top 16, so this felt really good to take it to the top of the podium."
Hodges said the car was making just under 400 horses in that series, but is now making around 755 on full boost on a new engine, mated to a 4-speed dog box G-Force GSR and Winters quick change. The car's previous engine saw 15 or so events before a more grippy setup lead to oil pressure issues, and the new motor included an Accusump to ensure no problems going forward.
"Now it just seems like we're back to old reliable with like, no issues," Hodges said.
Going into round three, drivers will face the old Formula DRIFT layout, far shorter and slower than the sprawling road course. Hodges said he'll be ready to defend his podium.
"I think if we go down to a slower, more technical track, we can shine with the car a lot more," he said. "That's the more experienced type of driving I have, coming from places like Orlando Speed World or Midpond, so I think I'll be able to shine a little bit better and so will the car."
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