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

New Orleans, LA

Event Information

Rounds 3 & 4 Pirelli GT4 America at NOLA Motorsports Park

Friday, April 28, 2023
12:05 PM – Practice 1
4:30 PM –  Practice 2

Saturday, April 29, 2023
10:20 AM – Qualifying Driver 1
10:40 AM – Qualifying Driver 2
5:00 PM – Race 1

Sunday, April 30, 2023
11:30 AM – Race 2

**All times CDT

Follow along at parkerthompsonracing.com/live

SONOMA RACEWAY, CA

Thompson had a strong performance early in Race 2. By the halfway point, he had worked his way forward to 6th overall (2nd in the Silver category). When the pit window opened for the series-mandated driver changes, the team immediately called Thompson into pit lane to hand the No. 999 off to Hanley.

Critically, the call to make that pit stop came with a full-course-yellow (FCY) imminent, and if the team did not enter the pits before that FCY, the pit stop and driver change would not meet Pirelli GT4 America regulations. When Hanley took over and resumed action on course, the team believed they had completed a good stop. Hanley advanced through the field and into the lead position, holding that position through to the checkered flag.

Following the contest, series officials demonstrated that the team did not enter the pits prior to the full-course-yellow. In turn, Hanley Motorsports accepted a 50-second penalty for the violation. The final result will show them in the 30th position.

PARKER THOMPSON
“Three weeks ago, we didn’t have a car, and we didn’t have a crew. I’ve been incredibly proud to work with Rob Hanley and Toyota Gazoo Racing North America to start Hanley Motorsports and launch this Pirelli GT4 America campaign. Ryan, Geoff, Neil, John, Dan – Everyone on our team has been absolutely amazing!

In Race 2 at Sonoma, we saw an opportunity to get the No. 999 to the front and earn a win. We made our mandatory driver change as soon as the pit window opened following the restart. We made that stop knowing a FCY was imminent, but we thought we could get in before the window closed. That aggressive, split-second decision-making is what it takes to win races. I love that we put our day on the line and went for a win on our opening weekend. From our perspective, it almost paid off. It was close, but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

Reviewing after the race, our team accepts the assessed penalty. We’ll carry on and bring our best effort to NOLA later this month.”

More info:

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

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