• Ruud claims fourth TCX victory to start season
• Boehm rules TC
• Bacon sweeps TCA weekend
• TC Am Race 2 Results

Austin, Texas – Jacob Ruud and the #81 Classic BMW took a dominant flag to flag win in Round 4 of the 2021 TC America season at Circuit of the Americas, his fourth consecutive win to kick-off the season. After a disappointing overall finish on Saturday, Ruud came back strong on Sunday, winning by 31 seconds over his closest rival. “I’m very comfortable on COTA in the dry, so I was able to start out in front and keep it there. Very happy with the team and car today!” said Ruud. 

After a wet and rainy Race 1 on Saturday, the sun was shining early Sunday morning for the final TC America presented by Skip Barber Racing Schools round in Austin. TCX championship leader Jacob Ruud led the field to the green flag with Samantha Tan and the #488 ST Racing BMW slotting into second position in class.

Back in TC two Honda competitors pounced at the start on the pole-sitting and Race 1 winning Hyundai of Jeff Ricca with Kevin Boehm and the #9 DXDT Honda taking over the lead with Eric Powell and the #2 Skip Barber Honda grabbing second in class. 

TCA saw Carter Fartuch, who started seventh in class, quickly charge through the field and take the lead in the #16 Skip Barber Honda over Saturday’s winner Caleb Bacon and the #18 Forbush Hyundai. Derek Jones and the #61 Mini would run third with the #2 Honda of Mike Stillwagon stalking in fourth.

At the halfway point of the race the TCA battle raged on as Fartuch and Bacon fought for the lead with Stillwagon getting past the #61 of Jones, who would end up falling to ninth in class. Two laps later Bacon would slip past Fartuch for the lead, but would see some slight body damage, dragging trim at the side of the Hyundai. 

Seven minutes later the final step for the TCX podium battle was hot as Steve Streimer’s #30 Hard Motorsport BMW gave John Hennessey’s #50 Classic BMW a love tap coming out of the final corner and won the drag race up the main straight to claim third position in class at Big Red. 

Back in TC, Toby Gravhovec and the #26 Classic BMW would get past Ricca’s #78 Hyundai for third in class, but would be 12 seconds behind Powell in second.

As the checkered flag flew Rudd took the TCX class win ahead of Tan and Streimer.

Kevin Boehm claimed his second TC-class win of the season with Eric Powell and Toby Grahovec second and third. “The team never stops trying to find the little things and it helps on and off the track,” said Boehm, “It’s a really strong crew and I couldn’t be happier.”

TCA would see Caleb Bacon sweep the weekend finishing just ahead of Carter Fartuch and Mike Stillwagon. “It’s just great to get the win in the rain and back it up in the dry, I’m just so excited. Thanks to the crew!” said Bacon. 

TC America presented by Skip Barber Racing Schools competitors are next in action June 4th-6th at VIRginia International Raceway for Round 5 and 6 of the 2021 season.

Read full article here.