Securing two third-place results in the Cayman Pro/Am class at Sebring, Anna Cecchi enjoyed a fantastic season opener in Porsche Sprint Challenge North America, where she displayed both speed and consistency.
Securing two third-place results in the Cayman Pro/Am class at Sebring International Raceway, Anna Cecchi enjoyed a fantastic season opener in Porsche Sprint Challenge North America.
Driving for Charlie Hayes Racing, Cecchi was immediately on the pace as she qualified third overall and converted this speed into a podium finish in race one. After a close battle with Erika Hoffmann in race two, Cecchi held off the Canadian racer to claim her second podium finish in as many races to begin her 2025 campaign on a high.
Cecchi began her Porsche Sprint Challenge North America career in the final round of 2024 where she competed at Sonoma Raceway. It was an excellent debut for the young driver who finished on the podium in the Cayman Pro/Am class of the USA West division. Now moving into the main championship for 2025, Cecchi was aiming to develop her racecraft in a competitive grid of drivers.
Teaming up with experienced squad Charlie Hayes Racing, Cecchi began the weekend on the front foot. Anna finished all three sessions on Thursday, including the first official free practice session, within the top-3 of the Cayman Pro/Am class and she was looking to maintain this speed throughout the event.
Friday’s on-track action began with the second and final practice session ahead of qualifying and the first race later that day. It was another excellent session for Cecchi who built up her speed and set the fourth fastest time in Cayman Pro/Am, just over a second away from the fastest time.
Qualifying gave Cecchi a chance to make her speed count and the Charlie Hayes Racing driver was immediately on the pace. After setting a fast time of a 2:10.914, Cecchi spent the second half of the session in the pits to save life in her tyres. This was a smart decision as she remained third fastest throughout qualifying, a fantastic effort on her debut at Sebring International Raceway.
Cecchi lined up from third position for the season opener and made a good start to hold third position in the Cayman Pro/Am class. Although Cayman Masters driver Alain Scalzo had found a way through, it was a clean start for the Charlie Hayes Racing driver who was showing confidence running with the leading drivers.
At the end of the first lap, the race entered a full course yellow period with Cecchi running third in Cayman Pro/Am, fourth overall. When the green flag was displayed, Anna held her position while growing the gap to the drivers behind and this allowed her to focus ahead. On lap eight, Cecchi set a personal best time and continued to secure her provisional podium position.
As the race reached its conclusion, Cecchi’s maintained her consistency despite the challenging nature of Sebring International Raceway. At the end of the 35-minute contest, Anna secured her first podium of the season with a superb drive to third place in the Cayman Pro/Am class, while taking the checkered flag in fourth position overall.
Following Cecchi’s superb speed and consistency in qualifying, the Charlie Hayes Racing driver lined up third for race of the weekend. Cecchi held off the challenge of Scalzo through the opening turns, however the Canadian driver moved ahead in the middle sector. However, with Scalzo competing in the Cayman Masters division, this was not Cecchi’s position to fight in the early stages of the race.
A fast start from Erika Hoffmann saw the debutant apply the pressure to Cecchi in the early stages and on lap four, she ran less than a quarter of a second behind Anna. Hoffmann mounted a challenge on lap five, however Cecchi defended her position well and after a personal best middle sector on lap six, she began to break clear of her rival.
With the gap to Hoffman now opening up, Cecchi was growing in confidence and this led to her being the fastest driver on track on lap eight. The gap to the Kellymoss driver behind was now over two seconds and Anna was also reducing the margin to Scalzo ahead.
A strong end to the race saw Cecchi open up a healthy margin over Hoffmann to seal her second podium in the Cayman Pro/Am class in as many races to complete an excellent weekend at Sebring.
Cecchi displayed both speed and consistency in the season opener, with her qualifying effort of third a particular highlight. Despite her limited experience competing at this level, the Charlie Hayes Racing driver drove smartly to bank a significant haul of championship points.
Cecchi will be targeting a return to the podium as the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America drivers now head to Sonoma Raceway for round two on the weekend of 5th/6th April.