The Racers Group collected not one, but two first-place trophies over the weekend at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas, as Derek DeBoer and Sean Gibbons were victorious in the last two Pirelli World Challenge SprintX races of the year in the No. 09 Frog Design | BRM Chronographes | AutoLeadStar | Castrol | FastLife TV | TRG Aston Martin GT4. It was a weekend of firsts as Gibbons notched his first ever professional victories in only his second PWC appearance and DeBoer climbed to the top step of the podium for the first — and second — times this season. DeBoer, with 94 total SprintX GTS Am/Am points secured a tie for second place in the overall drivers’ championship.
The wins capped an amazing weekend for the team that began with Craig Lyons and Kris Wilson putting their No. 03 Stor-it | Mobettah | TRG Aston Martin GT4 on pole during Saturday’s qualifying. Both Aston Martins were quick at COTA, a circuit at which TRG has seen much success, and so expectations were at the redline and they started from the front row in class. But the races weren’t easy victories, as both DeBoer and Gibbons overcame many challenges to cross the finish line in first place. That made the wins only sweeter for the team and the results Saturday and Sunday were a great way to finish, as both wins delivered a wonderful reward to a team that knows it can never give up and always gives 110 percent.
The race at Circuit of the Americas was also a home race for new sponsors Frog Design and TRG was thrilled they were on hand to witness the fantastic effort.
“It felt great to maximize the weekend and my first time co-driving with Sean could not have gone better and as always, TRG and the entire crew gave us an incredible Aston Martin,” said Derek DeBoer, who will next race with the team September 15-17 at the Grand Prix of Sonoma in PWC GTS competition. “We also had an overwhelming feeling of support from family, friends and team partners. New on board were Castrol, AutoLeadStar and Frog Designs, joining forces with long-time partners Bel Air Development, BRM chronographs and LaSalle Solutions. We’re all planning on this paving the way for a complete program next year — and more victories. It looks like I’ll have to make more room on my trophy shelf!”
“I echo Derek’s thoughts on having incredible support from friends, family and sponsors — I was thrilled to bring Frog Design into the TRG paddock and super excited to be back racing with the support of Bel Air Development,” Sean Gibbons added. “This weekend was my second ever in PWC and to get my first two pro victories in the TRG Aston Martin was amazing. I really enjoyed working with Derek and the team handed us a car ready to race right from the beginning of the weekend. I can’t wait for more.”
“What an amazing weekend at one of our favorite tracks,” Kevin Buckler, TRG’s CEO said. “And what a fantastic event for Sean, Derek and the entire team. Craig and Kris started us off with a bang — that pole lap was epic and Craig also put in double time, racing in Pirelli GT3 Cup Trophy. A big ‘Welcome to the Family’ to Frog Design, whose guests came out to cheer Sean and the team on. We can’t wait to have them back with us! And we’re itching to get back on the track at Sonoma Raceway.”
The team also activated around a series of key relationship-building events during the COTA race weekend, including an Adobe Road Winery reception in the paddock on Friday and an Adobe Road Winery Winemaker Dinner at one of Austin’s best restaurants, III Forks on Saturday. “Our clients and sponsors get to share in the weekend hospitality with us and they have the opportunity to make amazing business contacts,” Buckler went on to say. “That’s a win-win for us as well as for our guests and sponsors. We’re always looking at expanding ways to lead in bringing businesses together around motorsports.”
Learn more about joining TRG at their next races by visiting theracersgroup.com/events. Next on the PWC schedule is the Grand Prix of Sonoma, September 15-17.