---
title: "Autódromo Panamá Stages Historic First Night Edition of GT Challenge in Capira"
date: 2026-03-22
author: ""
url: https://panamadaily.news/2026/03/22/autodromo-panama-first-night-gt-challenge/
categories:
  - "News"
  - "Sports"
tags:
  - "Autódromo Panamá"
  - "Capira"
  - "GT Challenge"
  - "Gustavo Ortega"
  - "Juan Carlos Leroux"
  - "TCR"
---

# Autódromo Panamá Stages Historic First Night Edition of GT Challenge in Capira

## What Happened

Autódromo Panamá in Capira hosted the first-ever night edition of the GT Challenge Las Américas, bringing bright lights and regional GT competition to the Panamanian circuit. The event featured four categories on the card — GT Challenge, TCR, Super Turismo and Gran Turismo Nacional — and delivered intense close-quarters racing under lights.

## Race Results

In the GT Challenge class, Costa Rican driver Gustavo Ortega dominated both runs at the wheel of the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo 2 #51 for AP Racing. Ortega won the first heat in a time of 31 minutes, 15.837 seconds — which included the fastest lap of 1:05.166 — and also took the second heat with a time of 31:09.296.

In TCR competition, Dominican driver Juan Carlos Leroux, also with AP Racing, won all three TCR races on the program. Leroux set the fastest lap in heat 2 (1:05.307) and in heat 3 (1:05.534) in his debut in the category. Panamanian Luis Ramírez finished as runner-up in TCR, recording gaps of 2.235 and 3.801 seconds behind Leroux in the races noted; Ramírez also raced alongside Solly Betesh in an Audi R8 GT3 Evo 2 during the event.

## Quotes from the Track

Ortega reflected on the weekend: “Very happy to have won both races today. It was a perfect weekend for the team; it’s the first race in which we worked together, the team, the car and I, so it has been a challenge, but I am very happy and grateful to God for the opportunity to be here.”

Local driver Luis Ramírez commented on the busy day: “I believe this is the day with the most track activity I’ve had, I’m very happy as there were six races. I’m doing what I love most so I’m very grateful too. Thanks also to Solly for the opportunity to put me in his Audi and achieve a third place, after starting 15th.”

## Background and Significance

The Capira circuit’s first night running of a GT Challenge round is a milestone for motorsport in Panama, showcasing the Autódromo Panamá as a venue capable of hosting high-profile regional series under lights. The strong performances by AP Racing drivers in both GT Challenge and TCR underscored the team’s competitive showing at this historic event.

## What This Means

The successful night event may increase the circuit’s visibility for future international and regional races and highlights growing interest in multi-class GT and touring car competition in Panama. For local drivers such as Luis Ramírez, competing and finishing on the podium against regional entrants adds momentum to Panama’s presence in the series.