We went into Round 2 of the 2026 GLTC season thinking that Road Atlanta would be one of the more challenging events on the schedule. Historically, we’ve been fast there, but because of the long straights, Road Atlanta typically favors cars that have more power. Even with a balance in weight, power still drives the car forward, so V8s have always been our enemy.
Qualifying
Since we shared this event with Formula Drift, many of the GRIDLIFE sessions were combined, and unlike CMP, there was no pre-event practice day. With our travel schedule being so tight, we showed up to the track around two hours before we needed to be on track for qualifying.
We hit the ground running and made a few quick adjustments to the wing and shocks. Eric and the Super Touring Civic made quick work of setting our fastest lap just before the session was cut short because of an on-track issue. We ended up being bumped to P2, but since that car was deemed to have more than the allowed power, we inherited Pole Position for Race 1.
Race 1
Starting from Pole Position, Eric took an early lead and held it through every lap, pulling a 10.4-second gap over Magnussen in P2. Nothing more to say there, total dominance.
Race 2
The second race grid is based on Race 1’s finishing position, so that puts us first. Magnussen swapped to a new set of tires for this race, so he had much more grip than in the previous race. Magnussen would lead most of the race with Kutil pushing him hard from behind.
Eric had a late-race all-wheel lockup, which pushed the ITR ABS system to the limit. Shortly after, he reset and pushed past Magnussen to take the win. P3 would finish more than 14 seconds behind the pair.
Race 3
Race 3’s grid position is set by the fastest lap of Race 2, so because we followed Magnussen for most of the race, he was able to put in the fastest lap. That put us on the front row, but in P2 for the start.
Like the race before, Magnussen would make his M3 10 feet wide through every corner, making Kutil work hard to get by. In one of the most exciting races in GLTC history, the podium finishers battled lap after lap, fighting for position. Kutil would take the lead in the final corner to finish first, with Magnussen 0.129 behind in second and Grim 0.215 behind in third. What a race.
Race 4
Eric would roll the dice with a six-place invert, so like always, Race 4 added a bit of spice to the day. Magnussen would start fifth and Grim fourth.
For the first time in GRIDLIFE history, we will have a combined-class GT race. GLTC and GLGT raced together with a split start about 20 seconds apart. Within a few laps, Kutil pushed forward and settled into fourth place for most of the race after passing Magnussen early on. Kutil completed the pass into third in Turn 1 on his way to the front.
After passing Mortimer shortly after, we made our way into second with about six minutes left in the race. Grim, who had held P1 for most of the race, wouldn’t be able to hold on and Eric would eventually drive by to take another win in Race 4.
With some of the best racing we’ve ever seen in GRIDLIFE, we came out on top with a full weekend sweep.
Led every lap from green to checkered and pulled a 10.4-second gap on Magnussen by the flag. Total dominance.
Magnussen had fresh tires and led most of the race. Eric survived an all-wheel lockup, reset, and drove past for the win. P3 finished 14+ seconds back.
One of the closest finishes in GLTC history. Took the lead in the final corner to beat Magnussen by 0.129, with Grim 0.215 back in third.
Rolled the dice on a six-place invert in the first ever combined GLTC/GLGT race. Worked up to P2 with six minutes left, then drove past Grim for the sweep.
Championship Standing: 1st - 165 points
Round 3 at Gingerman Raceway is up next.
A perfect weekend score for the team. Bouncing back from a tough CMP weekend, we put it all on the line and came home with the overall weekend win. Great racing everywhere and we had a blast.
Next round is coming up in a few weeks at Gingerman Raceway. See you there!