Story By: RACING TO END ALZHEIMER’S RACING – LEXINGTON, OH – Racing to End Alzheimer’s driver Mark Kvamme returned to USAC Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama competition this weekend as the series joined the IndyCar event at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
With the MDK Racing headquarters just over an hour south of Mid-Ohio, it was very much a home event as Kvamme hosted scores of friends and family on the weekend.
Driving the Racing to End Alzheimer’s/MDK Motorsports No. 243 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car (type 992) in the Am category, Kvamme gave his guests a lot to root for as he came through with two big wins in the Am class after two very different races.
The Porsche 911, which carries over 120 names of people that have suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease (for a $250 donation, the family member’s name and hometown is placed on the car, and their photo can be posted on the R2EndAlz website’s tribute page.) proved to be potent in Kvamme’s hands after an all-out sprint in dry conditions on Saturday, and then a measured drive through challenging conditions on Sunday to capture a double-win weekend.
On Saturday, Kvamme made a decisive move late in the race to score the win.
“The race was a lot of fun,” said Kvamme. “I got kind of got stuck by some guys in the beginning, but then was able to drive through to second place. We had a yellow that bunched us up which was key because it allowed me to go for the lead, so it turned out well. Big, big way to start the weekend. ”
But it was a different battle on Sunday morning as showers had drenched the 2.2-mile circuit ahead of the 35-minute sprint. And the wet track claimed victims before the race even started, with multiple cars spinning off course before the green flag—including Kvamme.
But he was able to not only recover, but also race his way to the lead before holding off a furious charge by the eventual runner up, crossing the line first in the Am category to win for the second time of the weekend.
“I was in the rearview mirror there at the end, it was super, super tricky conditions,” said Kvamme. “It was literally an ice rink. Right before I went I just said ‘it’s all about survival.’ And I got fortunate–some guys in front of me spun out on the formation laps. And I did it too! I just got back, so I got I got lucky.”
With a lot of attention on the Racing to End Alzheimer’s car as well as the information booth set up along with the MDK Motorsports paddock presence, the weekend brought a lot of smiles on and off the track.
“It’s been great,” said Kvamme of his home race weekend. “I have a lot of friends here because it’s my home race and we live about an hour away from here. So I’ve had a lot of friends up which has been really a lot of fun and fun with the Racing to End Alzheimer’s guys having Conner here and it’s got a lot of a lot of interest as well. So it’s always good!”
The second half of the Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America gets underway at another historic venue, with races nine and 10 at Road America on July 28-29.