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.

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