PSCNA: Anna Cecchi bounces back to score podium finish at Road America
- LIAM REDFORD
- Aug 11
- 4 min read
Anna Cecchi rebounded from a testing crash to stand on the podium in the latest round of Porsche Sprint Challenge North America at Road America, where delivered a strong performance to finish race one third in the Cayman ProAm class.
Charlie Hayes Racing driver Anna Cecchi rebounded from a sizeable crash in testing to stand on the podium in the latest round of Porsche Sprint Challenge North America. Cecchi qualified third within the Cayman Pro/Am class and delivered a strong performance to finish race one in fourth overall, third in class. The second race of the weekend at Road America was postponed due to heavy rain and will be run during the next round at Watkins Glen.
Cecchi arrived at Road America looking to continue her momentum from the previous round at Virginia International Raceway. The Charlie Hayes Racing driver led a number of laps after qualifying on pole and she therefore banked valuable experience of racing at the head of a competitive field of drivers. Cecchi was able to match her best result of second and she was aiming to challenge for race victories at one of the most demanding circuits on the calendar.
Cecchi was also fresh off an impressive double victory in the USA West division of Porsche Sprint Challenge North America at Laguna Seca. In support of the NTT IndyCar Series, Cecchi overcame changeable conditions throughout the event to beat championship leader Jack Parriott in both races in California. Carrying forward this form into her main season campaign was now her main target after enjoying success in this additional outing.
On-track action got underway on Wednesday with Cecchi benefiting from additional testing ahead of the weekend. She was consistently among the pacesetters in the Cayman Pro/Am class, before an expanded field of drivers joined Cecchi on Thursday. Cecchi continued to impress until a sizeable incident on Thursday afternoon led to significant damage to her car. As a result, the car was unable to be repaired, however her father Greg Cecchi who races in the Cayman Masters class, handed his car over to Anna for her to complete the weekend.
Therefore, Cecchi went into Friday’s two free practice sessions driving a new chassis and the main priority was to build back confidence while working on car setup. The Charlie Hayes Racing driver completed 26 laps and finished both session inside the top-three of the Cayman Pro/Am class to display her adaptability.
Cecchi was looking to make further improvements in Saturday morning’s qualifying session which was held over twenty-five minutes. After putting a good early lap on the board, the session was red flagged after Alain Scalzo had gone off the road at turn 10.
Qualifying resumed for a final six minutes with Cecchi electing to remain in the pits to save her tyres for the two races. As qualifying concluded, the Charlie Hayes Racing driver had set a fastest time of a 2:17.142 which placed her seventh overall, third in the Cayman Pro/Am class. As a result of Scalzo’s incident, his two quickest times were removed and this promoted Cecchi onto the third row of the grid in sixth position overall.
The first race of the weekend took place on Saturday afternoon and Cecchi started from fifth position after Daniel Ammann was required to start from the rear after changing tyres. As the lights went out, Cecchi made an excellent getaway and quickly drew level with Tom Kopczynski before completing the pass through the opening turns. The Charlie Hayes Racing driver was therefore into fourth position overall, third in the Cayman Pro/Am class, at the conclusion of lap one.
As she got into her rhythm, Cecchi began cutting the deficit to Cayman Masters driver William Peluchiwski who was running directly ahead and he was preventing Anna from mounting a challenge on her Cayman Pro/Am rivals. As Kopczynski and Alain Scalzo battled for position behind, this allowed Cecchi to build a small margin behind her and she could therefore focus forward on catching Peluchiwski.
On lap seven, the race entered a full course yellow period after Cayman Masters drivers Bill Fenech and Roland Krainz made contact at turn two. With both cars requiring recovery, the race was neutralised with Cecchi remaining in fourth position overall, third in the Cayman Pro/Am class. The restart came with 13 minutes remaining and Cecchi was initially required to defend from Kopczynski, before a strong second half of the lap saw the pressure relieved.
Scalzo was again looking for a way ahead of Kopczynski as the race entered the closing stages and although Cecchi just lost touch with Peluchiwski, she was maintaining fourth overall. The battling Cayman Masters drivers increased their pace on the final lap, however Cecchi held on to secure another excellent podium finish in the Cayman Pro/Am class in third, while the Charlie Hayes Racing driver was classified in fourth position overall.
Race two of the weekend was set to take place on Sunday morning, however it was initially delayed due to lightning. The drivers were then able to go out onto the circuit behind the safety car, however with track conditions extremely treacherous due to persistent heavy rain, the race was postponed.
As a result, race two at Road America will now take place at the next round of the championship at Watkins Glen which will be held on the weekend of August 30th/31st.
