Ellis wins Aston Martin GT4 Challenge opener

The first race of the Aston Martin GT4 Challenge of North America's debut kicked off last Saturday afternoon at the iconic Watkins Glen International race track, where Aston Martin Vantage GT4 competitors took to the track for single rounds of practice and qualifying leading up to Race 1 of the new seven-event series.

London's Bradley Ellis, who pilots the No. 42 Aston Martin alongside teammate Simon Arscott, took the checkered flag following the inaugural GT4 Challenge race, after qualifying on pole. Ellis and Arscott have partnered with lovecars.com for the GT4 Challenge season and Arscott, a GT4 owner himself has been cheering from the sidelines all weekend.

Robert Nimkoff, one of TRG-AMR's partners, finished second in the exciting on-track battle at the famous road circuit. Having raced with TRG-Aston Martin Racing at Daytona in January, Nimkoff used his experience behind the wheel of an Aston Martin for a successful result in Round 1. Nimkoff has raced several seasons in an Aston Martin in SCCA and has been involved with TRG-AMR's efforts from the beginning.

Eliseo Salazar, who comes to the GT4 Challenge from Santiago, Chile, finished in third in his No. 07 machine, sponsored by AGUNSA (a leading Logistics and Distribution company based in Valparaiso, Chile with office around the world). Salazar, who has experience racing with TRG in 2011 and 2012, hopes to again stand on the podium following today's race, and will continue competing in the GT4 Challenge periodically throughout the season.