After a positive start to her IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge career, Christine Sloss claimed her second consecutive Bronze Cup podium, securing second place with a clean and run at Sebring International Raceway.
After a highly positive start to her IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge career, Christine Sloss claimed her second consecutive GS Bronze class podium, securing second place at Sebring International Raceway following a clean and consistent run in the two-hour Alan Jay Automotive Network 120.
Despite limited competitive racing experience before the 2025 season opener, Sloss made an impressive IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge debut, finishing second in the Bronze Cup alongside her husband, Ben Sloss, in the Van der Steur Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT4.
She quickly adapted to the highly competitive GS class, improving her pace throughout the first weekend and capitalizing on consistency to secure the promising result.
Building on her strong debut, Christine aimed to carry that momentum into the second round at Sebring, a notoriously challenging track known for its bumps and highly demanding on both drivers and machines.
Partnering with MHP Peters behind the wheel of the #15 Van Der Steur Aston Martin, the duo made significant progress in practice, finding over two seconds between sessions leading up to qualifying.
Christine took on qualifying duties on Thursday, clocking a 2:17.667 lap time to secure P15 in the GS class. As the qualifying driver, Sloss would be also taking on the first stint of the race.
The IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge second round got underway with a clean start across both GS and TCR classes, and although she was initially overtaken by Ted Giovanis, Christine Sloss stayed close and regained a position when the #17 JDC Miller Motorsport Porsche dropped down the order and pitted.
Managing heavy TCR traffic, Sloss continued to gain valuable experience, skillfully avoiding incidents while seizing opportunities as other drivers made mistakes. She gained positions when Back’s Mustang and Rafael Martinez’s Toyota spun in unrelated incidents, settling into P22 in GS amid a crowded track.
Despite later falling behind Martinez again, Sloss remained composed, managing both TCR traffic and the GS class leaders as pit stops approached.
Sloss stayed out longer than some competitors, cycling up to P19 overall and holding second in the Bronze Cup before pitting on lap 23. Her solid first stint on Sebring’s technical and demanding circuit set the stage for her teammate: after the stop, MHP Peters rejoined in P24 overall, third in Bronze class.
Peters later pitted again for fuel on lap 31, matching the strategy of the GS class leaders - a strategy that proved successful. He made up ground in his stint, passing Jonsin in the #12 RAFA Racing Toyota by lap 33 to reclaim second in the Bronze class.
Once ahead, Peters extended his gap to nearly five seconds by lap 40, though he still trailed class leader Plumb in the Team TGM Aston Martin by 28 seconds.
As the race remained uninterrupted from flag to flag, more drivers had to pit for fuel in the final two minutes.
Peters delivered a strong second stint, maintaining P22 in the GS class and securing second in the Bronze Cup. Despite late pressure from Jonsin, who was closing in again rapidly, a spin in the final corner for the RAFA Racing driver allowed Peters to cross the finish line unchallenged.
With another podium finish, Sloss has continued to build a solid foundation for future races as she is set to competes in the full Pilot Challenge season. Her steady progress is an encouraging sign that there's more potential to be unlocked, as she continues to collect valuable mileage in a highly competitive field. Sloss now sits second in the Bronze Cup championship standings, with 640 points.
Coming up next will be the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca 120 at the iconic Californian racetrack, on May 8-10.
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