Parker Thompson Joins Pirelli GT4 America with Hanley Motorsports

Mar 27, 2023

SONOMA, CA

Hanley Motorsports is excited to launch a new team effort in 2023 as it joins the Pirelli GT4 America championship with the #999 Toyota Supra GT4 Evo. Parker Thompson and Daniel Hanley will pilot the retro-inspired white, red, orange, and yellow Supra in the Silver category.

Thompson has experience in multiple tiers of sportscar racing, including a championship win in the 2022 Carrera Cup North America and recent top-five finishes at Daytona and Sebring with Vasser Sullivan and Lexus Racing USA. He will lead 19-year-old Hanley as he tackles his first season of racing.

Hanley Motorsports team founder, and father to Daniel, is Robert Hanley. A race-winning driver himself, Robert will look for his next success in motorsports as a team owner.

“Parker and I got to know each other last year as Carrera Cup teammates. When he approached me this spring with the opportunity to launch a Toyota entry in Pirelli GT4 America, the idea was too enticing to pass up. We’re a last-minute addition to this 2023 championship. Despite that, we have the highest expectations. Parker is a proven race winner, and Daniel will quickly find his legs. Behind the pit wall, Ryan Heller will lead our effort. Ryan has been crew chief for very successful campaigns in other series, and after watching him prepare our team for Sonoma, I understand why.”

Although 2023 will mark his first season behind the wheel, Daniel Hanley is not new to motorsports. Last year, he served on the crew for Thompson’s championship-winning effort. He has been closely involved with his father’s endeavors as well.

“Working in the garage and the pits has taught me a lot about the work ethic required to perform at the top of racing. It takes a full team effort, extreme attention to detail, and when things don’t go as planned, you have to put your head down and find a way forward. This year, I’m keen to take that mindset and apply it behind the wheel. With Parker to learn from and the group we’ve assembled supporting us, I’m positioned to have a great rookie season.”

Parker Thompson joins SRO, hoping to continue the championship success he had last season in Carrera Cup North America. From junior formulas to GT3, the twenty-five-year-old Canadian has podiumed in half his more than 170 career races. Recalling his experiences with both well-established teams and small start-up teams, he has embraced a lead role in Hanley Motorsports’ new campaign. 

“I’m ecstatic to be involved here with Daniel, Robert, Ryan, and also with Toyota. Toyota Racing Development and Toyota Gazoo Racing have been instrumental in bringing our SRO campaign together, and I’m proud to strengthen my connection to the Toyota family. It’s been a lot of work to build this team from the ground up over the last couple of months and that has given me a very personal interest in our success. No doubt there is a lot more work ahead of us, but I expect it won’t be long before we are up to speed. Competition in the GT4 category is intense. There are a lot of great drivers in this series, some with whom I already have great rivalries. I can’t wait to meet them on track at Sonoma and throughout 2023 in Pirelli GT4 America.”

More info:

https://hanleymotorsports.com
https://www.gt4-america.com

2023 Pirelli GT4 America Championship Schedule

Sonoma Raceway
March 30 – April 2, 2023

NOLA Motorsports Park
April 28 – 30, 2023

Circuit of The Americas
May 19 – 21, 2023

VIRginia International Raceway
June 16 – 18, 2023

Road America
August 18 – 20, 2023 

Sebring International Raceway
September 22 – 24, 2023

Indianapolis Motor Speedway
October 5 – 8, 2023

Follow along at https://parkerthompsonracing.com/live