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Thompson Secures Podium Finish at Lone Star Enduro with Hanley Motorsports

May 22, 2024

Thompson Secures Podium Finish at Lone Star Enduro with Hanley Motorsports

AUSTIN, TEXAS

Parker Thompson delivered a solid performance at the inaugural Lone Star Enduro at Circuit of the Americas this past weekend, earning the top starting position among all silver-class entries and a third-place overall race finish. The event, Round 5 of the 2024 Pirelli GT4 America Championship, featured a challenging three-hour race format instead of the series’ traditional double-header race weekend.

Competing against 30 other GT4 entries, Thompson’s performance was evident from the outset. In Saturday’s qualifying session, he clocked the fastest time among silver-class entries and third overall. Teammate Daniel Hanley started the race, maintaining a top-five position as the field found its rhythm early in the contest.

Thompson began his first stint near the fifty-minute mark, rejoining the race in third position after an exemplary pit stop by the Hanley Motorsports crew. Showing strong pace, the native Canadian advanced to second overall before a full-course-yellow closed the pits at an inopportune time and disrupted Hanley Motorsports’ strategy. The incident allowed the race leader and much of the field to pit before the yellow. Thompson was unable to do the same and fell to ninth position after he and the remainder of the field cycled through the pits under caution.

Despite this setback, the team remained focused. Daniel Hanley pushed through the field in his final stint to regain third position overall. Thompson closed the race and navigated to the checkered flag without incident.

Parker Thompson 
“Very proud of our effort here at Circuit of the Americas! There’s no doubt that we felt a win was within reach for us this weekend. I have to give a tonne of credit to our engineer, Chris Bohlman, and our crew chief, Ryan Heller. The unique regulations for this event and the demands of tire changes and refueling meant we had to make some big adjustments. We were well-prepared and handled those adjustments flawlessly. Unfortunately, our strategy took a big blow when a full-course yellow locked us out of the pit lane near the halfway point. Despite that, Daniel’s excellent mid-race drive and perfectly executed pit stops allowed us to solidly claim the final podium spot.”

Thompson will be back in action with Hanley Motorsports at VIRginia International Raceway from July 19-21. In the meantime, he continues his campaign in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with Vasser Sullivan and Lexus Racing USA. The Detroit Grand Prix is next, with a 100-minute race on Saturday, June 1, when Thompson and Frankie Montecalvo will make a special appearance in GTD Pro with the No. 15 Vasser Sullivan / Lexus Racing USA RC F GT3.

Parker Thompson rejoins Hanley Motorsports for 2024 Pirelli GT4 America campaign

Feb 15, 2024

Parker Thompson rejoins Hanley Motorsports for 2024 Pirelli GT4 America campaign

DENVER, CO After a strong debut in Pirelli GT4 America last season, Parker Thompson will return to the series with Hanley Motorsports in 2024. The team will reunite Thompson with co-driver Daniel Hanley and #999 Toyota Gazoo Racing GR Supra GT4 EVO Silver-class entry. Returning with an unchanged lineup, Hanley Motorsports looks to build on a 2023 season where they lead sixty-three race laps, earning one overall victory, two class wins, and three class podiums in twelve races. For the new year, they have set their sights on the Silver-class season championship. Team owner Robert Hanley shared confidence in the team and their targets for the new season. “In 2023, we made a late decision to form a team and join Pirelli GT4 America. Despite having minimal preparation, our group performed exceptionally out of the gate. By the end of the season, we felt like we were among the best in the field. I’m excited that we are returning this year with a team that is virtually unchanged. From our drivers to our crew, having key individuals return gives us the best chance to build on the progress we made in our first year. It also demonstrates each individual’s belief that our team can find the next level. I expect we will challenge the best in this Pirelli GT4 America series and fight for the championship title.” Parker Thompson was a big part of the team’s success in its rookie year, bringing experience to the group and exceptional performance on track. In 2023 with Hanley Motorsports, the Canadian earned two pole positions and three Crowdstrike Fast Lap awards. Thompson’s talent behind the wheel has been broadly recognized. In January, he earned pole position in class at the Daytona 24 Hour with Vasser Sullivan and Lexus Racing USA. Thompson is excited to return to Hanley Motorsports and Pirelli GT4 America, highlighting the competitive environment and advantages of GT4 machinery.
“Pirelli GT4 American continues to be one of the most competitive sports car championships on the continent. We saw some great competition at the front of the field last year and fully expect that to continue in 2024. It was rewarding to work closely with Daniel and see him grow in his first year of racing. We’ve continued to work together through the off-season and gotten to the point where I can challenge him, and he can challenge me right back. The Hanley Motorsports GR Supra GT4 EVO has been a riot to drive. It’s a very well-rounded race car. That makes it a great platform for driver development, and it puts us in the mix at every track we visit. Altogether, we’re in a promising position in the Silver-class.” After starting 2023 with virtually zero experience, Daniel Hanley begins his sophomore season confidently. The twenty-year-old showed poise and pace under pressure throughout his rookie year, closing races at Sebring and Circuit of the Americas in the lead position. Daniel shared hopes for further growth individually and as a team. “I think every member of Hanley Motorsports is entering the year with a new outlook. We’ve learned a lot about the Pirelli GT4 America format, and in turn, we feel like we understand better what it will take to win a championship. Our lineup look’s the same; our car look’s the same, but expect a better Hanley Motorsports team this season.” The team is gearing up for a 2024 season that will feature thirteen races at seven American tracks, starting with Sonoma Raceway, where Parker and Daniel will launch their championship effort with a doubleheader weekend April 5-8.
2024 PIRELLI GT4 AMERICA SEASON SCHEDULE

April 5-7, 2024 – Sonoma Raceway, Rounds 1 & 2
May 3-5, 2024 – Sebring International Raceway, Rounds 3 & 4
May 17-19, 2024 – Circuit of the Americas, Round 5
July 19-21, 2024 – Virginia International Raceway, Rounds 6 & 7
August 16-18, 2024 – Road America, Rounds 8 & 9
September 6-8, 2024 – Barber Motorsports Park, Rounds 10 & 11
October 4-6, 2024 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Rounds 12 & 13

More info at https://gt4-america.com and https://hanleymotorsports.com

Thompson Continues Upward Trend with Remarkable 2023 Season

Oct 17, 2023

Thompson Continues Upward Trend with Remarkable 2023 Season

After coming out on top in Carrera Cup North America last year, Parker Thompson showed no signs of suffering a championship hangover in 2023. The twenty-five-year-old Canadian followed up his championship season with standout performances in top-tier sportscar series. Joining the Toyota family, he drove the Lexus RC F GT3 and Toyota GR Supra GT4 EVO to victories in three series with three teams. At times, Thompson dominated his competitors, solidifying his position in sports car racing’s upper echelon and arguably delivering the most successful season of his career to date.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS FOR THE 2023 SEASON:

  • 18 Total Races: Thompson competed in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with Vasser Sullivan Racing, the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge with Hattori Motorsports, and the SRO Pirelli GT4 America with Hanley Motorsports.
  • 4 Race Victories and 5 Podiums: With wins in each series, Thompson claimed four race wins. He stood on the podium five times, with seven top-five finishes. 
  • Lightning Pace: Behind the wheel of a GR Supra GT4 EVO, Thompson posted the top time in five qualifying sessions (earning three pole starts) and set the fastest race lap in three contests.
VASSER SULLIVAN RACING AND IMSA WEATHERTECH:

Thompson’s season began in January at the Rolex 24 at Daytona with Vasser Sullivan and Lexus Racing USA. Alongside teammates Telitz, Montecalvo, and Kirkwood, Thompson excelled in the globally recognized GT3 contest, helping the black, yellow, and green No. 12 Lexus RC F GT3 earn a fifth-place finish in GTD. 

Thompson joined Vasser Sullivan for all four IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship endurance stops. At the Sebring 12 Hour, he set the No. 12’s best lap time as the team earned another fifth-place finish. At Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen, an outstanding stint by Thompson established a significant margin for the race lead, putting his team in a commanding position to claim victory.

DEBUT WIN IN IMSA MPC WITH HATTORI MOTORSPORTS:

Thompson found instant success in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, piloting the No. 50 Hattori Motorsports, Weins Auto Group GR Supra GT4 EVO alongside Billy Johnson. On his native ground, at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, Thompson earned the pole position and established a dominant lead through the first half of the two-hour contest. Johnson took over for the second half, and when the dust settled, the No. 50 came out on top. The result marked the first IMSA race victory for the Toyota GR Supra race car.

HANLEY MOTORSPORTS – FULL SEASON GT4 CAMPAIGN:

Joining forces with Robert Hanley, Thompson launched a new Hanley Motorsports team to take on Pirelli GT4 America with the No. 999 GR Supra GT4 EVO. Thompson led and mentored rookie co-driver Daniel Hanley, and the duo had an immediate impact on the series. Thompson earned the top time in seven official sessions throughout the season, starting from pole position twice and earning the Crowdstrike Fastest Lap award three times. The Hanley Motorsports team captured their first Silver-class race win at Circuit of the Americas in May, then took overall victory at Sebring in September.

After his triumphs in 2023, Thompson looks to continue his progression. With a new race season and January’s Rolex 24 at Daytona rapidly approaching, Thompson is hard at work, focused on claiming a premier North American sports car championship.

 

IN THOMPSON’S OWN WORDS:

“After the year I had in 2022, I had the highest expectations for this season. It did not disappoint! That said, there have been moments of uncertainty where I wasn’t sure which direction my career would lead. First, I must thank Jimmy and ‘Sulli’ of Vasser Sullivan for putting me in the Lexus Racing No. 12 RC F GT3. As demonstrated by their GTD Pro Championship win this season, they’ve assembled an outstanding team. I would be honored to play a role in their future endeavors. In Pirelli GT4 America, Rob Hanley put tremendous faith in me to help launch the Hanley Motorsports team and mentor his son, Daniel. I’m proud to have won in every race car I drove this year. That said, winning races is only part of winning championships. Whatever happens in 2024, earning another series title will be at the top of my mind!”

Thompson and Hanley Motorsports Deliver Win, Pole and Fastest Lap at Sebring

Sep 26, 2023

Thompson and Hanley Motorsports Deliver Win, Pole and Fastest Lap at Sebring

SEBRING, FL

Hanley Motorsports showed exceptional performance in a tightly fought #GTSebring battle that saw three different manufacturers win in three races. Parker Thompson, teammate Daniel Hanley, and the Hanley Motorsports No. 999 GR Supra GT4 EVO clenched victory in the weekend’s opening race, earned a podium in the second, and started from pole position in the third. With their result, Hanley Motorsports and the GR Supra GT4 EVO continue to represent a premier force in the Pirelli GT4 America series.

The weekend began with a victory as Thompson started on the front row in Friday afternoon’s NOLA makeup race. The Canadian driver took the lead early on, clocked the fastest lap, and established a comfortable margin for the No. 999 through the first half of the contest. Daniel Hanley took over at the halfway mark and cleanly drove to the checkered flag.

Qualifying for two official Sebring races took place on Saturday morning, where the team earned its best overall starting positions to date. Daniel posted the 6th best time overall in Qualifying 1 (5th in Silver class), while Thompson took the outright pole position in Race 2.

Rookie Daniel Hanley had a strong start in Saturday’s Race, impressively challenging the competitors ahead of him while preserving his car and position. Thompson continued the effort in the latter half of the contest, momentarily taking the race lead and ultimately finishing third place overall.

On Sunday morning, Thompson lined up on the pole versus a thirty-three-car GT4 field. The twenty-five-year-old was challenged early on when the No. 51 entry of Kenton Koch stole the lead in the opening corner. Thompson battled Koch for eight laps before recapturing first position. Daniel took the wheel and maintained the lead for several laps before the pressures of close battle and Florida heat took a toll on his tires, dropping him into the grips of the lead pack. Ultimately, the team was assessed a drive-thru penalty for a pit-lane speed infraction. The violation dropped the No. 999 to 8th overall and 6th in Silver.

Thompson was ecstatic about the team’s performance. “Our first overall win, our third and fourth podiums, and a pole position make this the best weekend ever for Hanley Motorsports and our GR Supra GT4 EVO. From start to finish, we were right at the front in each race. That says a lot about the progress of my teammate, Daniel Hanley. He’s less than 12 months into his racing career, but there is no doubt that he fits in at the front of this Pirelli GT4 America field. Despite our strong performance, when we review our performance this weekend, I know we’ll find some things we could have done even better. I expect our Toyota to be in an even stronger position in two weeks when the series visits my home track, Indianapolis Motor Speedway.”

The 2023 Pirelli GT4 America season closes October 6-8 with two races on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Thompson and Hanley will look for maximum impact, expanding their growing collection of trophies in the series.

Images credit Bob Chapman / Autosport Image

Thompson Powers Hanley Motorsports GR Supra GT4 EVO to Pole, Podium and Fastest Lap at Road America

Aug 22, 2023

Thompson Powers Hanley Motorsports GR Supra GT4 EVO to Pole, Podium and Fastest Lap at Road America

ELKHART LAKE, WI

Parker Thompson’s prowess was on full display this weekend at Road America in the SRO Pirelli GT4 America series. The Canadian standout earned Hanley Motorsports and the No. 999 GR Supra GT4 EVO a pole position start for Race 2 and the Crowdstrike Fastest Lap award as the team achieved a Silver-class podium finish.

The action-packed weekend saw Thompson and teammate Daniel Hanley skillfully navigate a contentious thirty-four-car GT4 field. Despite numerous on-track incidents and limited green flag action, Thompson’s skill and the impressive pace of the Hanley Motorsports GR Supra shone through. Thompson quickly adapted to the recently re-paved, 4.0-mile Road America circuit. In Practice 2, he clocked the session’s fastest lap. When Driver 2 Qualifying results were abandoned due to a red flag, the twenty-five-year-old’s best practice lap earned Hanley Motorsports the pole position for Race 2.

In Race 1 on Saturday afternoon, Thompson’s stint was again impacted by incidents on track. Teammate Daniel Hanley started from the 15th position and made significant progress early in the race. Thompson took the wheel at the halfway point but only saw one lap of green flag action. He drove the No. 999 to the checkered flag under yellow, 10th overall and fifth in class.

On Sunday morning, Thompson showcased his pace when Race 2 began. Starting first on the grid, he accomplished an exceptional start, pulling a gap on former Carrera Cup North America rival Kay Van Berlo in the second position. Thompson dominated the field through the contest’s first half, clocking the race’s fastest lap and establishing a 7-second margin over second place. An unfortunate pit stop mishap during the driver change led to a fierce fight at the front for Daniel Hanley and the No. 999. Ultimately, the team secured a fourth-place finish overall and third in the Silver class.

Thompson’s performance was pleased with his performance and the team’s effort. “The Hanley Motorsports GR Supra GT4 EVO consistently proves its potential in this Pirelli GT4 America series. Road America is a special track for me, and I’m happy to secure the fastest lap and help earn the team another podium finish. Daniel’s progress through his rookie year is impressive. Not only is he showing improved pace with each consecutive weekend, but he’s also looking fierce and calculated during race action. I’m excited about our potential as the end of the 2023 season approaches.”

The Pirelli GT4 America series will resume action at Sebring International Raceway (September 22-24), featuring a three-race schedule that includes a make-up race after a cancellation due to weather at NOLA Motorsports Park. The season ends at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, October 5-8.