SPS automotive performance wins International GT Open championship

With a third-place finish in the final race at Monza, Valentin Pierburg (GER) and Dominik Baumann (AUT) secured the championship in the PROAM category of the International GT Open in their Mercedes-AMG GT3 #20. In an eventful race, the team clinched its second PROAM title after 2018 in a close championship battle.

The final race of the International GT Open season at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza promised to be an exciting finale. Trailing the leaders by just one point, the Obersulm-based team travelled to Italy with the aim of securing the PROAM class championship for the second time. In the two qualifying sessions, where the combined lap time from both sessions determined the starting grid, Valentin Pierburg and Dominik Baumann secured a good starting position in the championship race with second place in their class.

In a turbulent early phase of the 500 km final race, some of the 31 competitors caused a number of incidents. Valentin Pierburg, who drove the Mercedes-AMG GT3 #20 at the start, managed to avoid trouble but lost a few positions. During the first half of the race, the duo fought their way back to the front and were once again within striking distance of their championship rivals. A preliminary decision on the PROAM category title was made a good hour before the end of the race. The leaders in the PROAM standings dropped out of the points and were no longer able to actively intervene in the championship battle. Valentin Pierburg and Dominik Baumann in car #20, on the other hand, continued on course for the class podium. At the end of the race, final driver Dominik Baumann was waved off in third position in the PROAM class, sealing the title win. This marked SPS automotive performance's second championship in this class in the International GT Open after 2018, together with Valentin Pierburg. For Baumann, this is his first title in this highly competitive GT3 series.

This brings SPS automotive performance's successful motorsport season to a close, with a championship title as well as class victories and podium finishes at many highlight events such as the Bathurst 12 Hours and the CrowdStrike 23 Hours of Spa.

Stephan Sohn, Team Principal SPS automotive performance: “We are obviously delighted to have won the championship. The whole team has worked hard throughout the season and consistently scored points. This meant we were able to keep the title race open until the very end. The fact that we have now achieved this for the second time makes me all the more pleased. A big compliment to the whole team for their strong performance.”