SONOMA, CA (1 April 2023) – Ferrari debuted the new Ferrari 296 GT3 in international SRO competition with a fifth-place finish in the opening round of the GT World Challenge America at Sonoma Raceway on Saturday to open the 2023 season.
The first 90-minute race of the weekend saw Manny Franco and Alessandro Balzan place fifth in the lead Pro class, sharing Conquest Racing’s No. 21 Ferrari 296 GT3.
Franco started the race in ninth overall and fifth in class, and gained two positions on both the race start and a restart following an early caution. That put Franco fifth overall and third in Pro, and he maintained that position up until his pit stop.
Balzan took over in fourth, and ran a steady stint, eventually taking fifth in the category.
Trisarsi Competizione fielded the No. 33 Ferrari 296 GT3 in the Pro-Am class. Justin Wetherill started and ran as high as eighth. Ryan Dalziel took over in 11th following the pit stop, and moved up to finish ninth, gaining three overall positions in the closing laps.
The weekend will close with race two on Sunday, taking the green flag at 3:15 p.m. PT.