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Thompson and Hattori Secure Victory in Michelin Pilot Challenge Debut at CTMP

Jul 10, 2023

Thompson and Hattori Secure Victory in Michelin Pilot Challenge Debut at CTMP

BOWMANVILLE, ON, CANADA

In an electrifying debut, Alberta native Parker Thompson won this weekend as IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge visited Canadian Tire Motorsports Park. Driving the No. 50 Weins Auto Group GR Supra GT4 EVO for Hattori Motorsports, Thompson earned the first-place starting position in qualifying and, alongside teammate Billy Johnson, shone throughout the two-hour race to gain the race victory.

As the team familiarized themselves with the GR Supra GT4 EVO race car and the historic Ontario road course, both drivers showed a middling performance in practice sessions on Friday. In qualifying however, the No. 50 GR Supra demonstrated new pace as Thompson clocked an impressive 1:22.334 second lap in the early minutes of the session. When the session was red-flagged due to a collision, the timing sheet showed the blue, red, and white No. 50 in pole position by more than half a second margin.

When the Canadian Tire Motorsports Park 120 contest started on Saturday afternoon, Thompson continued to lead all entries. Through 37 laps, he created a thirteen-second margin over the field before entering the pits and handing the No. 50 off to Billy Johnson.

Johnson rejoined the race, finding himself in a tight battle for the lead with the No. 95 Turner Motorsports BMW, who had made up considerable time in the pits. Although he would surrender the lead early in his stint, Johnson kept the No. 50 Weins Auto Group GR Supra within striking distance, applying pressure to the leader. He would take the checkered flag in second place. In post-race inspections however, officials found that the leading No. 95 had violated series regulations. The resulting penalties critically awarded the victory to Thompson and the Hattori Motorsports squad.

The result is Thompson’s first win in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, and one that caps off a recent string of outstanding performances for the young Canadian. “Winning at CTMP this weekend is such a great achievement for our team,” said Thompson. “This was my first weekend in Michelin Pilot Challenge, and it was also the first meeting for Billy, myself, and the Hattori Motorsports team. We set the bar high for ourselves here. The team at Weins Auto Group put together a strong effort to celebrate their 50th anniversary in front of a home crowd. It’s so satisfying to reach our goal and give them the win they deserve. On top of that, I’m proud to have helped Toyota earn its first win in the Michelin Pilot Challenge series. The GR Supra GT4 EVO is proving to be one of the most well-rounded cars in the GT4 category. I’m honored to help them earn the top accolade in this series.”

For Thompson, the performance marks two consecutive IMSA race weekends where he has celebrated first place. Just two weeks ago, he was part of a GTD class victory at Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen with Lexus Racing USA and Vasser Sullivan. Further proving his versatility and performance, in 2023, Thompson has now celebrated wins in three series with three Toyota race cars. In May, he earned a Silver-class victory in Pirelli GT4 America with the Hanley Motorsports No. 999 GR Supra GT4 EVO. That is where Thompson will return to action next, when that series visits Road America, August 18-20.

More Details:

IMSA.com
Hattorimotorsports.com
Weins Auto Group

Images credit @sidelinesportsphotography

Thompson to Pilot No. 50 Weins Auto Group GR Supra at CTMP IMSA Weekend with Hattori Motorsports

Jun 29, 2023

Thompson to Pilot No. 50 Weins Auto Group GR Supra at CTMP IMSA Weekend with Hattori Motorsports

INDIANAPOLIS, IN

Racing in July marks a homecoming for Parker Thompson. The Red Deer, Alberta native, is set to compete in Canada’s most prominent annual sports car weekend when IMSA visits Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, July 7-9. Thompson will join Hattori Motorsports (HM) to pilot the No. 50 Weins Auto Group GR Supra GT4 EVO in Saturday’s Canadian Tire Motorsports Park 120 for the Michelin Pilot Challenge.

Thompson brings a wealth of experience at CTMP to the team and a strong track record with the GR Supra GT4 EVO platform. Combining early career open-wheel races with recent contests in sportscars and prototypes, Thompson has battled on the iconic Canadian road course ten times, earning four victories and nine podiums.

“I am honored by the opportunity to join Hattori Motorsports in the Toyota GR Supra for IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge at CTMP next weekend. Any race north of the border feels like a home race for me, and the CTMP track has rewarded me with success on multiple occasions,” said Thompson. “This is one of my favorite events! I’m grateful to Vasser Sullivan and Hanley Motorsports for helping me incorporate this opportunity into my busy race schedule.

“After just a few short meetings with Shigeaki and the rest of the team, I feel like we have the right ingredients for a special performance. I appreciate Shige’s early career experiences in open-wheel racing and how he’s built an outstanding legacy with the Toyota brand that spans multiple series. The chance to contribute to that legacy, even if it’s just for a single race weekend, is something I don’t take lightly.”

Team owner Shige Hattori commented on the addition of Thompson to the team, “We brought in an amazing driver in Parker to contend right away and give us some feedback on our program.”

The Michelin Pilot Challenge series combines GS (GT4) and TCR class race cars with two driver lineups and a mandatory pit stop. A driver who has yet to be named will join Thompson behind the wheel on the No. 50 Weins Auto Group GR Supra for the 2-hour Canadian Tire Motorsports Park 120. The race will be a special one for the team as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of Weins Auto Group.

More Details:
IMSA.com
Hattorimotorsports.com
Weins Auto Group

Event Information

2023 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge 
Chevrolet Grand Prix

Friday, July 7
10:00 AM EDT – Practice 1
1:30 PM EDT – Practice 2

Saturday, July 8
10:50 AM EDT – Qualifying
4:00 PM EDT – Canadian Tire Motorsport Park 120

Thompson and SCM Earn Second Place Finish with Late Race Charge at CTMP

Jul 4, 2022

Thompson and SCM Earn Second Place Finish with Late Race Charge at CTMP

CANADIAN TIRE MOTORSPORT PARK, ONTARIO, CANADA

Alberta native Parker Thompson had a prominent performance, driving the No. 14 SCM Exelixis/Focal One/Alta Equipment Ligier JS P320 in Prototype Challenge as IMSA crossed the border into Canada for the first time since 2019. Sporting a livery featuring American stars and stripes and the Canadian maple leaf, Thompson and co-driver Lance Willsey were keen to make a mark on the holiday weekend festivities at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP). Last month, fueling issues spoiled an impressive performance by the pair in their debut together in Round 2 at Mid-Ohio. A strong result at CTMP would bring redemption and elevate the team’s position in the season’s points standings. Through a ninety-minute race on the historic Ontario road course, Thompson and Willsey accomplished precisely that, piloting their white, red, and blue SCM machine to a second-place finish.

The high-speed, undulating Canadian Tire Motorsport Park circuit presented a daunting challenge for much of the field after nearly a three-year absence from the IMSA schedule. Thompson however, entered the weekend with a stellar record on the track, showing eight career podiums and a total of four wins. On his first laps in Saturday’s Practice 1, he immediately appeared comfortable, setting a benchmark time for the Prototype Challenge field. Less familiar with the 3.957-kilometer, 10-turn road course, teammate Lance Willsey showed quick progress through practice sessions. When Qualifying launched on Sunday morning, Willsey earned an eighth position start.

Thompson, Willsey, and Sean Creech Motorsport shined when racing action began. From P8, Willsey made steady progress early in the race. When he entered the pits at the halfway mark, he had moved his way into fifth place. After the driver change and refueling, the team suffered a setback. Race officials deemed that Thompson had been released from the stop a half-second short of the minimum requirement. He was immediately called back into the pits for a stop-and-go penalty.
The No. 14 had dropped back to seventh place when Thompson re-entered the track. From there, he showed the dominant pace we had seen in May during Round 2 at Mid Ohio Sports Car Course. Navigating through the field, Thompson put together a series of laps that saw him set and reset the fastest racing lap multiple times, advancing his position to fourth. When a full-course-yellow was required late in the race, Thompson capitalized on the subsequent restart, capturing two spots to claim second place. Having already made significant advancements throughout his stint, Thompson had limited capacity to challenge the race lead. He held second through to the checkered flag.

 

Parker Thompson
“From start to finish, I’m so proud of our effort this weekend in Prototype Challenge. When Lance and I got together earlier this year, we felt we could challenge the front of the field. That didn’t quite pan out in our first event at Mid-Ohio, but I’m delighted that both of us put it together here at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. For me, it’s incredible to do it in Canada, where I haven’t had an opportunity to race in almost three years. I feel like the sum of my experiences showed in my performance here today – from the races earlier in my career here at this track to the frequent race restarts I’ve seen in Carrera Cup recently. Thank you to Sean Creech and Lance Willsey for allowing me this opportunity. With our finish this weekend, we can only do one better! In the future, I’d be honored to do exactly that.”

 

For the present, Thompson has his sights set on another significant Canadian event. He will reunite with JDX Racing when Carrera Cup North America visits the Honda Indy Toronto, July 15 – 17. Marking Carrera Cup’s first and only stop in Canada, the event is particularly significant to Thompson and JDX Racing team principal Jeremy Dale. Each has strong connections to the region. Currently sitting second in that season’s championship, the pair will look to advance their position in the standings by winning on the Streets of Toronto.

Images credit Bob Chapman / Autosport Image

Event Results

2022 IMSA Prototype Challenge
Round 3 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park

Qualifying – Official (PDF)
Race – Provisional (PDF)
Fastest Lap by Driver (PDF)
Championship Standings – Provisional (PDF)

Complete results are available at results.imsa.com

Thompson Rejoins SCM as the IMSA Prototype Challenge Visits Canadian Tire Motorsport Park

Jun 29, 2022

Thompson Rejoins SCM as the IMSA Prototype Challenge Visits Canadian Tire Motorsport Park

TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA

For the first time since 2019, Canadian Parker Thompson will come home to race, joining Sean Creech Motorsport (SCM) for Round 3 of the 2022 IMSA Prototype Challenge at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP). Thompson rejoins SCM after a strong performance with the team at Mid-Ohio last month in a race effort that was ultimately compromised by mechanical issues. At Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Thompson and teammate Lance Willsey will look for a strong result to improve the team’s sixth-place position in the current IPC standings. The green flag will drop on Sunday, July 2nd, at 11:35 AM EST for a 90-minute race.

Thompson is no stranger to the historic Ontario road course. Through nine career races at CTMP in multiple series, Thompson has stood on the podium in all but one, earning four wins in the process. Driving the No. 14 SCM Exelixis/Focal One/Alta Equipment Ligier JS P320, Thompson is likely to clock a faster lap around the 3.957-kilometer, 10-turn circuit than he has in any other series to date. Still, after earning the quickest race lap and a new track record in his debut with SCM at Mid-Ohio, Thompson has proven he is more than up to the challenges that the IPC car and series present.

Parker Thompson
“I want to thank Sean Creech and Lance Willsey for inviting me to join them again for Round 3 of the IMSA Prototype Challenge. In my first race with the team, we performed well on track but didn’t get the result we deserved. I’m ecstatic that Lance and I have another opportunity together. The fact that this opportunity comes at a track like Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, and puts me back in front of Canadian fans for the first time in two years, makes this weekend even more special.”

 

About SCM

Team leader Sean Creech has competed in a multitude of sports car series from 1990 until the present day, including Group C, IMSA GTP, WSC, Grand-Am, SRO World Challenge, and IMSA. SCM will contest the full WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2022 with João Barbosa and Lance Willsey. http://seancreechmotorsport.com/

Event Information

IMSA Prototype Challenge at Chevrolet Grand Prix
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park

Saturday, July 2nd, 2022
10:15 AM EST – IPC Practice 1
02:05 PM EST – IPC Practice 2

Sunday, July 3rd, 2022
08:15 AM EST – IPC Qualifying
11:35 AM EST – IMSA Prototype Challenge at CTMP

Flag-to-flag coverage of the race is available to USA viewers on PeacockTV. International viewers can watch via IMSA.tv, with IMSA Radio also available at IMSA.com.Follow Parker throughout the weekend at https://parkerthompsonracing.com/live

Thompson and SportsCarBoutique Maintain Course in Action Packed GT3 Cup Weekend at CTMP

Jul 7, 2019

Thompson and SportsCarBoutique Maintain Course in Action Packed GT3 Cup Weekend at CTMP

CANADIAN TIRE MOTORSPORT PARK – BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO

Continuing the success from events earlier this year, Rounds 5 & 6 of the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge Canada at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, showed close wheel to wheel racing action and parity deep in the field. Embroiled in battle with multiple drivers throughout the two races, Parker Thompson drove the #3 SCB Racing and Porsche Centre Victoria entry to 5th and 2nd place finishes. He completed the weekend, maintaining his second place standing in the Platinum Cup Championship.

The result was hard earned for Thompson, who started Race 1 from fourth position, but found himself near the back of the fourteen car field early on. Contact from behind in the opening corner forced the black and gold coloured #3 off the track, allowing multiple cars to pass-by. Making the most of the remaining laps, Thompson showed a steady offensive drive from that point on. He cleanly worked his way up to fifth place before the 45-minute race timed out.

“The #3 SCB Racing / Porsche Centre Victoria Cup Car certainly had more pace than the results sheet showed. For that reason, I’m disappointed by our result. In turn one on the opening lap, I took a solid bump from the inside and ended up putting the car off the track. I was forced to make a quick decision on whether to fight back and risk the whole race, or find a safe escape path that would allow us to continue racing. I’m proud of the fight we showed working our way back up the ranks. There are some great competitors in this series. That was no easy task.”

Race 2 saw Thompson make a move into second place on the opening lap, and then play defense against two hard-charging competitors. Former teammate, and fellow championship contender, Jeff Kingsley would present the greatest challenge. The two drivers were nose-to-tail until Kingsley spun on the sixth lap while trying to make a pass on Thompson in turn 10. Thompson would hold off another challenge from Patrick Dussault before creating a comfortable gap later in the race. He would finish second. 

The strong finish is important leading into the most significant weekend on Thompson’s 2019 race schedule. Both the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge Canada, and Indy Pro 2000 will visit the Toronto Indy next weekend, giving Thompson four races over two days. His final race of that weekend will mark the 100th auto race of his young career.

“I’m excited about the chance to race in two different series next weekend at the Toronto Indy. I’m so blessed to have had so many opportunities in racing this far in my career. We’ve got a great group of people coming to celebrate my 100th race milestone, but more critically, there are four important races in two series where we are contending for the overall championship. Alternating race cars is certainly going to test my adaptability as a driver. I’m grateful to be working with the crews of SCB Racing in GT3 Cup, and Abel Motorsports in Indy Pro 2000. I’m confident that they will give me the support we need to get a good result.”

Images Credit: Sandile Magadlela – 778-951-3984 – sandile@mgdla.com – @_mgdla

Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada – CTMP Round 5 & 6

Qualifying (pdf)
Round 5 – Race – Provisional (pdf)
Round 6 – Race – Provisional (pdf)
Overall Standings – Provisional (pdf)

 

Next Events

JUL 12 – 14, 2019 – Indy Pro 2000 & GT3 Cup Canada – Streets of Toronto, ON
JUL. 26 – 28, 2019 – Indy Pro 2000 – Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, OH
AUG. 02 – 04, 2019 – GT3 Cup Canada – Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI