Top 30 drivers compete on FCP Euro Proving Grounds for nearly $20,000 in prizes following more than 1,100 season qualifying attempts

LAKEVILLE, Conn. (14 October 2026) – A record-breaking lap and one of the most competitive qualifying fields in event history highlighted the LIQUI MOLY Autocross Invitational Shootout at Lime Rock Park over the weekend. Trever Lowe claimed the overall victory with a blistering 40.566-second lap on the FCP Euro Proving Grounds.

Behind the wheel of his 1999 Mazda Miata, Lowe delivered a record-setting performance on the 0.68-mile Super Circuit, breaking the benchmark he established earlier in the season. Entering the Shootout with a course record of 40.70-seconds, Lowe shaved 0.134-seconds off his previous best to establish a new benchmark on the FCP Euro Proving Grounds.

The competition remained exceptionally close at the front of the field, with just 0.824-seconds separating the top-five finishers. Jeff Bakken finished runner-up in his 2009 Acura NSX, recording a personal-best lap of 40.949-seconds, an improvement of more than a second over his regular-season performance. Jay Lotaj completed the podium in his 2024 Toyota Supra with a 41.278-second lap. Andrew Hiro followed in fourth (41.337 seconds) in his 2020 Toyota GR86, while Josh Lipman rounded out the top five in his 2015 Porsche 911 (41.390 seconds).

The increasingly competitive field was reflected in the qualifying times. This year’s 30th-place cutoff stood at 43.946 seconds, an improvement of 0.653-seconds over 2025 and nearly two seconds faster than the 2024 cutoff, highlighting the continued progression of Lime Rock Park’s grassroots driver development programs.

That progression carried into the Shootout itself, where every driver in the top five recorded a faster lap than the second-place finisher from 2025. Not a single timed lap exceeded 44.5-seconds, even when competitors experienced spins on course, further demonstrating the depth of talent throughout the field.

Now in its fifth season, the LIQUI MOLY Autocross Invitational Shootout serves as the season finale for the LIQUI MOLY Summer Autocross Series. Throughout the season, drivers made 1,151 qualifying attempts in pursuit of one of just 30 spots to compete for nearly $20,000 in prizes, including autocross memberships, a private rental of the FCP Euro Proving Grounds and additional driving opportunities designed to further develop their skills.

“We saw tremendous improvement across the field, but what really stood out was the camaraderie among the drivers this year,” said Lime Rock Park Track Programs Manager Stephen Huntly. “Everyone comes out wanting to be the fastest, but they’re also the first to offer advice, share what they’ve learned and help each other find that extra tenth of a second. That competitive spirit and willingness to help one another is what makes this grassroots motorsports community so special.”

The Shootout also served as a tribute to the late John “Murph” Murphy, a longtime Lime Rock Park driving instructor, accomplished racer and mentor who passed away earlier this year. A familiar presence on the FCP Euro Proving Grounds, Murphy helped countless drivers develop their skills and confidence behind the wheel. Every competing car carried a commemorative decal honoring his legacy, designed by autocross member and Shootout competitor Mike Appel.

The event also recognized Dean DiGiacomo as the recipient of The Drive with the Fear Instructor of the Year Award for his dedication to driver development and contributions to Lime Rock Park’s autocross programs. Selected in part by the autocross participants, DiGiacomo played an instrumental role in launching The Park’s Intro to Racing program, including developing its instructional presentation, while providing support to the track programs team throughout the season.

While the Invitational Shootout marked the conclusion of the competitive autocross season, opportunities to get behind the wheel remain at Lime Rock Park in 2026. The FCP Euro Proving Grounds still has Autocross Lapping Days available, including MiataX presented by SuperMiata, an exclusive all-Miata autocross experience held during MiataCon, Oct. 23-24. For more information and registration, visit limerock.com/drive/driving-programs/summer-autocross-info/.

Live Stream Replay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAAf_4xx04c

Full Results: https://autocross.club/

2026 LIQUI MOLY Autocross Invitational Shootout Top Five Finishers

1. Trever Lowe – 1999 Mazda Miata – 40.566 seconds

2.  Jeff Bakken – 2009 Acura NSX – 40.949 seconds

3. Jay Lotaj – 2024 Toyota Supra – 41.278 seconds

4.  Andrew Hiro – 2020 Toyota GR86 – 41.337 seconds

5. Josh Lipman – 2015 Porsche 911 – 41.390 seconds

2026 LIQUI MOLY Autocross Invitational Shootout Prizes

• 1st place: One year of AutoX Unlimited and a private half-day rental of the FCP Euro Proving Grounds ($10,000 value)
• 2nd place: One year of AutoX Unlimited ($5,000 value)
• 3rd place: One standard AutoX membership and Intro to Racing ($2,000 value)
• 4th place: One standard AutoX membership ($1,500 value)
• 5th place: Three days of autocross ($975 value)

2026 LIQUI MOLY Autocross Invitational Shootout Special Awards

• The Drive with the Fear Instructor of the Year Award: Dean DiGiacomo