Thompson Earns Double Pole Position at VIR in Drama-Filled Event with Pirelli GT4 America

Thompson Earns Double Pole Position at VIR in Drama-Filled Event with Pirelli GT4 America

ALTON, VA

Parker Thompson and Hanley Motorsports navigated a challenging weekend at the Pirelli GT4 America series at VIRginia International Raceway, marked by significant highs and lows. Despite an accident with Daniel Hanley and the No. 999 GR Supra GT4 EVO during Practice 2, the team rallied. Thompson shouldered the load of both drivers, achieving a double pole position in qualifying.

Thompson set qualifying times of 1:52.479 sec and 1:52.588, sec with his best time coming in Race 2 qualifying, just 0.008 seconds ahead of the next fastest competitor. Unfortunately, his remarkable performance was later ruled invalid due to a technical issue concerning the team’s backup car and series-mandated in-car performance monitoring systems. This ruling led to a decision by Hanley Motorsports to withdraw from the event before the start of racing action.

Following these developments, Parker Thompson had this to say:

“Earlier today, I was thrilled to qualify on pole position for both races in Pirelli GT4 America here at VIR. Due to a technical issue with the series mandated performance monitoring system on our backup car, our times were unfortunately invalidated after the session.

Hanley Motorsports and I thought we had all this sorted out and cleared before we started qualifying, but the officials saw it differently. The consequence of that is that I’m not out there racing right now. I’m really gutted not to be going any further this weekend, but racing is a team sport and I stand by Hanley Motorsports in their decision to withdraw.

This weekend has been one for the books. From the emotions of Daniel’s crash yesterday, a late night at the hospital while the team was getting our spare car race-ready, and early morning working with series staff to sort through our plans and intentions, it’s been a whirlwind! Despite all this, I’m incredibly proud of the performance we showed on track today. We may not get the chance to build on our pole starts this weekend, but I have no doubt that future success awaits all of us at Hanley Motorsports.”

Thompson Looks to Continue Upward Momentum with Strongest Effort of the Season at VIR

Thompson Looks to Continue Upward Momentum with Strongest Effort of the Season at VIR

Alton, VA

With each round of the 2023 Pirelli GT4 America series, Parker Thompson and Hanley Motorsports have shown steady improvements in performance. Piloting the No. 999 GR Supra GT4 EVO alongside rookie driver Daniel Hanley, the team secured their first podium and win at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) last month. As Hanley Motorsports heads to VIRginia International Raceway, Thompson knows that continuing the team’s upward momentum could be their greatest challenge to date. Races 7 & 8 of the 2023 season are scheduled at the historic 17-turn Virginia road course this Saturday and Sunday.

With over forty factory-backed GT4 race cars in the field, Pirelli GT4 America is among the most hotly contested sports car series on the globe. Amongst fierce competition, Thompson and Hanley endured early challenges but have begun to show great form as the season crosses its halfway point. At Circuit of the Americas and the prior round at NOLA Motorsports Park, Thompson placed second overall in Driver 2 qualifying sessions. He leveraged his P2 starting position in Austin to take an early overall race lead, lining the No. 999 up to earn its first class victory.

Now at VIRginia International Raceway this weekend, Thompson will look for a similarly strong performance, identifying that both he and his fellow Hanley Motorsports team members must continue seeking improvements.

“We had a great result at COTA, but at the same time, we’ll need an even greater effort than we showed there to earn our second win of the season! This Pirelli GT4 America series is fiercely competitive, and if we didn’t already, I think we have the attention of the other forty-something entries here. We’re going to give it our all! Daniel’s progress this season is commendable; from top to bottom, everyone at Hanley Motorsports continues to show a hunger for improvement. Our partners at Toyota Gazoo Racing North America and TRD USA have been instrumental in our success. The GR Supra GT4 EVO has proven to be very well-rounded and versatile. I expect it to suit this fast and fun VIR road course well.”

Event Information

Rounds 7 & 8 Pirelli GT4 America at VIRginia International Raceway

Friday, July 16, 2023
Practice 1 – 12:00 pm
Practice 2 – 5:15 pm

Saturday, July 17, 2023
Qualifying 1 – 10:20 am
Qualifying 2 – 10:40 am
Race 1 – 5:15 pm

Sunday, July 18, 2023
Race 2 – 10:55 am

*ALL TIMES EDT

Follow Parker and Hanley Motorsports throughout the weekend, with daily updates on social media channels and live streaming of all race action on YouTube and Twitch. Details are available at PTR Live.

Thompson and Hanley Clinch Silver Class Victory at COTA in Pirelli GT4 America

Thompson and Hanley Clinch Silver Class Victory at COTA in Pirelli GT4 America

AUSTIN, TX

Following their launch mere weeks before the season opener at Sonoma, Hanley Motorsports showcased their mettle in Rounds 5 and 6 of Pirelli GT4 America at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA). Drivers Parker Thompson and Daniel Hanley drove the No. 999 GR Supra GT4 EVO to their first class victory in the series.

Consistently demonstrating strong performance, Thompson and Hanley marked season-best results through all sessions on track during the COTA weekend. Thompson secured a front-row grid position for the No. 999 GR Supra GT4 EVO, placing 2nd overall and first in the Silver class. Daniel Hanley ranked in the top ten overall during Practice laps on Friday morning and Race 1 Qualifying.

In Race 1, Hanley and the No. 999 avoided early race turmoil and maintained a strong position near the front of the 41-car GT4 field. Thompson took the wheel of the white, red, orange, and yellow Toyota at the halfway point of the contest and pushed hard to secure a 7th place overall finish (6th in the Silver category).

Race 2 featured a commanding display from Hanley Motorsports. Thompson took an early overall lead, and the team successfully maintained the Silver class lead following the pit stop and transition to Daniel Hanley. The 19-year-old rookie held his own amidst stiff competition in a second-half stint dominated by yellow flags and an eventful race restart. On that restart, Hanley showcased a  good jump on the field and a strong move on the inside of turn one that put the Hanley Motorsports No. 999 into second overall and also crucially, just ahead of a collision that took out second place competitors in both the Silver and Pro-Am classes. With an extensive clean-up required, Hanley’s overall position and silver-class lead were uncontested as the field drove to the finish under yellow.

Team owner Robert Hanley expressed his satisfaction with the weekend’s outcome, “We’re thrilled with the team’s performance this weekend. Earning a strong points finish in Race 1, and a class win in Race 2 is a testament to our commitment and the exceptional talents of our drivers, engineer, and crew. We hope to build on our success here when we head to Virginia International Raceway next month.”

Driver Daniel Hanley echoed these sentiments: “It’s been a great weekend. I’m so grateful for all the hard work and support that our team has shown. It’s starting to show on the results sheet! I couldn’t be more excited about the direction we’re heading.”

Parker Thompson emphasized the team’s efforts. “I’m immensely proud of our success as a group. As a mentor to Daniel, it’s been incredible to see his rapid growth. I said going in that COTA might be the most challenging circuit on the GT4 America schedule. For us to perform as we did here is a testament to our potential. So much of that comes from the exceptional work of our engineer Geoff Fickling. Our crew, Ryan, John, and Neil, always have the No. 999 ready for battle. The people at Toyota Gazoo Racing and TRD USA have developed a very well-rounded race car. Our team focus doesn’t change – keep trending up. We’re looking for our next victory.”

Hanley Motorsports and Pirelli GT4 America move to Virginia International Raceway for Rounds 7 & 8 next month, June 16 – 18.

Parker Thompson and Hanley Motorsports Looking for Top Spot as Pirelli GT4 America Visits COTA

Parker Thompson and Hanley Motorsports Looking for Top Spot as Pirelli GT4 America Visits COTA

Austin, TX

Parker Thompson is all set to battle it out at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) this weekend for Rounds 5 & 6 of the 2023 Pirelli GT4 America season. Showcasing impressive speed and potential behind the wheel of the Silver category No. 999 Hanley Motorsports GR Supra GT4 EVO throughout early rounds, Thompson is targeting his first victory of the season.

Thompson’s resilience and speed have been undeniable despite challenges in preceding rounds. A standout performance at NOLA Motorsports Park saw him secure second overall in Race 2 Qualifying. In Race 1, he lead an impressive charge through the field, gaining 16 positions during his stint. After an impressive showing in test sessions at Circuit of the Americas last week, Thompson is set to make a mark on the results sheet in races this Saturday and Sunday.

The 5.5-km, 20-turn COTA circuit is often regarded as the most challenging circuit on the continent, but it is one that Thompson has already proven he can conquer. In his only previous visit to the Texas road course, Thompson made a dramatic, final corner, final lap pass to earn his first racing victory of 2021 during the inaugural season of Carrera Cup North America. Armed with that experience and a Hanley Motorsports team that is rounding into form, Thompson is clear about his goal for the weekend. “We’ve shown that we have the speed to challenge the best in this series,” said Thompson. “I’m aiming to put us on the top of the podium at Circuit of the Americas.”

Event Information

Rounds 5 & 6 Pirelli GT4 America at Circuit of the Americas

Friday, May 19, 2023
12:00 PM – Practice 1
5:15 PM – Practice 2

Saturday, May 20, 2023
10:20 AM – Qualifying Driver 1
10:40 AM – Qualifying Driver 2
5:00 PM – Race 1

Sunday, May 21, 2023
10:50 AM – Race 2

**All times CDT

Follow along at parkerthompsonracing.com/live

Parker Thompson Shows Brilliant Pace in Challenging Weekend at NOLA with Pirelli GT4 America

Parker Thompson Shows Brilliant Pace in Challenging Weekend at NOLA with Pirelli GT4 America

NEW ORLEANS, LA

Parker Thompson displayed exceptional talent this weekend at NOLA Motorsports Park in his second weekend with Hanley Motorsports and Pirelli GT4 America. Piloting the No. 999 GR Supra GT4 EVO, the 25-year-old Canadian, showcased outstanding pace despite inclement weather and penalties.

Thompson, a versatile driver with experience in multiple North American series, set a dominant lap in Practice 1 on Friday, demonstrating his skill and potential from the factory Toyota GT4 race car. In Qualifying, he secured an impressive second-overall starting position for Race 2.

Heavy rains on Saturday forced the postponement of Race 1 to Sunday morning where, Thompson’s teammate and rookie driver Daniel Hanley started in the 18th position. At the halfway point of the 60-minute contest, Hanley pitted from 29th and handed driving duties off to Thompson. Exhibiting remarkable pace and determination, Thompson advanced to P15 in the first four laps of his stint. Ultimately he brought the white, red, orange, and yellow No. 999 to the finish line in 11th place overall and 5th in the Silver category.

Unfortunately, a pit stop violation was assessed to Hanley Motorsports after the team’s mandatory stop and driver change did not meet the minimum time requirement. The resulting penalty dropped their entry to 35th overall (7th in class). Changes to the weekend schedule due to weather also forced the cancellation of Race 2, where Thompson and Hanley Motorsports would have started in second place among the 42-car field. That starting position would have granted him an opportunity he has not yet seen in the Pirelli GT4 America series.

Despite the challenges faced at NOLA Motorsports Park, Thompson remains optimistic and focused on demonstrating improvement. “The Hanley Motorsports GR Supra GT4 EVO was exceptionally fast out there. Toyota Gazoo Racing North America and TRD USA have put together an amazing car that shows great pace and flexibility on the track. My personal training efforts and experiences so far in 2023 are paying off, and I think that was on display here this weekend. As a team, we’re feeling a bit unlucky, but we know we also have to make our own luck. There is a great group of people behind the No. 999, and we’re all going to put our heads down and keep pushing,” said Thompson. “We’ll regroup and be even more threatening next round at COTA.”

Pirelli GT4 America returns to action with Rounds 5 & 6 of the 2023 season taking place at Circuit of the Americas on May 19-21. Thompson and Hanley Motorsports have their sights set on the upcoming event, hoping to build on the promising pace they displayed at NOLA Motorsports Park.

More info:

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