AGT Inter-Americas Challenge

AGT News Archives

11/18/2005 - Court Convened To Investigate Jorge Diaz

AGT convened a court today November 18, 2005 consisting of Robert Sharp, Tony Febles, Gene Tataryn and Woodson Duncan to investigate the incidents involving the team of Jorge Diaz JR. during and after the Ponce Grand Prix.
Continue »

11/17/2005 - AGT Announces Final Results For 2005

As expected Edison Lluch wins the AGT Inter-Americas Challenge for 2005. Runner up went to Woodson Duncan and Third place was Charlie Webster.
Continue »

11/15/2005 - Ponce Grand Prix offers Biggest Payout in AGT history

Over $44,000 Thanks to Panasonic and Goodyear
AGT announced the certification of results and the awarding of prizes for the Ponce Grand Prix.

The official finishing order and prizes are awarded as follows:

In addition Jorge Diaz Jr. won an additional $1,000 courtesy of AGT for qualifying the fastest and turning the fastest race lap.

Edison Lluch received and additional $600 for qualifying second and turning the second fastest race lap.

Juan Ferrer received $200 for turning the Third fastest race lap.

Felix Serralles Jr received an additional $200 for qualifying third.

Goodyear provided six tires which were distributed randomly via a drawing from a hat. The first number drawn was 29 that was thrown out. The next was 73 that was thrown out. Then Number 88 Felix Serralles, Jr. then 00 Roly Falgueras, Jr. and finaly Arcelio Torres each were awarded two tires.

Next award the Hoerr Charger Award goes to Luis Manen Menedez for improving his position the most from qualifying to the finish and last Mark Shaffer received the Puritan Pontiac NewGMparts.com award for the incredible effort put forth to get his car on the track only to have a failed clutch end his weekend.

“I would really like to thank all of our sponsors for the support this year and this event in particular Panasonic and Goodyear said Woodson Duncan, President of the American GT Road Racing Association, LLC. CRP, HRPworld.com and Puritan Pontiac also played a major role in helping get the competitors out and racing.

Thanks to everyone for a spectacular end of season and we will see you next year” Duncan Continued.

11/11/2005 - Round Seven of the Inter-Americas Challenge Swept by Puerto Rico

Rolando (Roly) Falgueras, Jr. Takes win in the second annual Ponce Grand Prix by Panasonic. Rolando was fast and consistent in his great looking 00 El Nuevo Dia Mustang. Qualifying sixth overall the 00 car finished second in the first heat and first in the second heat permitting him to take the top podium spot for the weekend. “I was pleased to represent Puerto Rico against international competitors, but to come out on top over Canada, America and the Dominican Republic really adds something to the win” said Roly. “Currently we are putting a program together to run the whole AGT series next year” he continued.

Second Place went to Felix Serralles Jr in the number 88 Budweiser Jaguar and rounding out the all Puerto Rico Podium was Edison Lluch the American GT Inter-Americas Champion for 2005 in the 73 Ponce Grand Prix / Don Q Corvette. “This was a great season for us we are looking forward to next year” said Lluch and Edisito will be there too.

Kenny Bupp announced at the awards ceremony that he was considering a Rolex GT car so he could race with his son Jordan. We both had such a great time at the AGT events we have attended and the cost and fun factors of these cars is just so darned compelling we scrapped the Rolex Program and are buying another AGT car” announced Rolex 24 Champion Kenny Bupp we will both be there all season next year he continued.

“We look forward to seeing both father and son teams for the entire season next year” said Wayne Wilford AGT’s Director of Operations.

“The racing was a war the heats were fast and furious. Anyone who loves on track action missed a show if they were not there commented Woodson Duncan the owner of the American GT Road Racing Association. I really want to thank Panasonic and Goodyear for all their support Duncan continued Ponce is one of the great places to race and relax. El Tuque is the complete package from great rooms and service to the most cordial staff you can find anywhere. We are already making plans to return for next year. What an event this is growing into”, commented Duncan.

11/05/2005 - Jorge Diaz Jr. Takes Pole for Ponce Grand Prix

Jorge Diaz Jr. was fastest in qualifying to earn the pole position for the Ponce Grand Prix Presented by Panasonic at El Tuque in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Diaz Jr., in the #8 Panasonic Jaguar XKR set the pace with a lap time of 1:12.555 in the first of two qualifying sessions held Friday November 4th and Saturday November 5th, respectively.

Starting on the outside of row one is American GT Challenge Points leader Edison Lluch. Piloting the #73 Ponce Grand Prix Chevrolet Corvette, Lluch set his fast lap in the second qualifying session with a 1:14.000 time. The #73 car had a clutch failure, and Lluch’s car had to be towed to tech after the session. “It was so hot in the car, and after the clutch broke I needed to get out of the car and get some water with all of the smoke coming into the car”, said Lluch after the session was over.

Row two for the Grand Prix will feature Felix Serralles Jr. and Luis Manen Mendez in third and fourth place respectively. Serralles, in the #88 Budweiser/Popular Auto Jaguar XKR, ran a lap of 1:14.039, and Mendez, in the #03 Centennial En Confianza Chevrolet Camaro was less than a half-second behind him with a 1:14.331 quickest lap.

Rounding out the top five is Edison Lluch, Jr., son of current points leader Edison Sr. Lluch Jr., who is driving the #72 Don Q Rum Chevrolet Corvette narrowly missed starting on the second row, posting a 1:14.544 lap time in the second qualifying session.

The weekend got off to a somewhat hairy start, as the main water line to Ponce burst directly outside El Tuque and threatened to flood part of the track. As a result, the days schedule was compressed to allow the competitors to get their sessions in. A trench was dug from the water main break to the sea, and all of the days activities were completed, even allowing an extra practice session for the American GT competitors.

Below is the complete list of qualifying times for heat one of the Ponce Grand Prix Presented by Panasonic.