Adversity for Thompson and McIntosh at SRO GT4 America Opener

Adversity for Thompson and McIntosh at SRO GT4 America Opener

SONOMA, CA  –  Parker Thompson and teammate Anthony McIntosh showed strong pace and serious potential in their debut weekend with Ghost Rider Squad Racing / JTR Motorsports Engineering in the Pirelli GT4 America championship. But despite standout moments—including leading the overall field in Race 2—the pairing left Sonoma without the results they deserved.

The No. 69 Toyota Gazoo Racing GR Supra GT4 EVO2, competing in the Pro-Am class, qualified strongly on both days. McIntosh set the 10th-fastest overall time in the Driver 1 session (P3 in Pro-Am), while Thompson secured third overall (P2 in class) in the Driver 2 session.

In Race 1, McIntosh executed a clean and assertive opening stint, navigating early incidents and advancing to fifth overall before the mandatory driver change. A drive-through penalty for a pit lane infraction during the stop, however, dropped the team to the back of the field. Thompson completed the race, recovering positions to finish 18th overall and 10th in class.

Race 2 began under wet conditions, and Thompson wasted no time pushing to the front—taking the overall race lead and holding the top Pro-Am position throughout his stint. During the mid-race pit stop and driver change, however, the crew discovered a leaking valve stem on the right-front tire. McIntosh returned to the track and attempted to nurse the car to the finish, but the tire failed in the final minutes, forcing an unscheduled stop. The team crossed the line 22nd overall and 10th in class.

“We didn’t get the results we wanted, but we showed real pace this weekend,” said Thompson. “We made smart moves on track, and Tony did an awesome job managing the car when the tire issue came up in Race 2. We were in the fight, and that’s something to build on. I was proud to take the overall lead in GT4 America, and it was great to see Tony come away with a win and a second-place finish in GT America. Now it’s about converting that speed into results for both programs when we visit COTA next month.”

The next round of Pirelli GT4 America takes place at Circuit of the Americas (April 25–27) and will feature a special three-hour endurance race. The Ghost Rider Squad and JTR Motorsports Engineering team will look to bounce back with a double effort across both GT4 and GT America competitions.

2025 Pirelli GT4 America Schedule

March 28–30       Sonoma Raceway
April 25–27          Circuit of the Americas (3-HR Enduro)
May 16–18           Sebring International Raceway
July 18–21           Virginia International Raceway
August 15–17        Road America
September 5–7     Barber Motorsports Park
October 16–19      Indianapolis Motor Speedway

All races will be streamed live on YouTube via @GTWorld.
For full schedule details, livestream links, and more, visit parkerthompsonracing.com/live

Thompson and McIntosh Unite To Take on 2025 Pirelli GT4 America

Thompson and McIntosh Unite To Take on 2025 Pirelli GT4 America

While Parker Thompson continues to chase the GTD championship in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with Vasser Sullivan and Lexus Racing USA, he’s also adding a new challenge to his 2025 calendar. This weekend at Sonoma Raceway, Thompson will kick off a full-season campaign in the Pirelli GT4 America series, teaming up with Anthony [Tony] McIntosh in the Pro-Am class in the No. 69 Ghost Rider Squad Racing GR Supra GT4 EVO2, operated by JTR Motorsports Engineering.

Known for its highly competitive fields, the Pirelli GT4 America series features six double-header race weekends with a special three-hour endurance round at Circuit of the Americas. The standard weekend consists of two 60-minute races featuring mandatory pit stops and driver changes. The 2025 season kicks off at Sonoma Raceway with a 30-car grid spread across three classes (Am, Silver, and Pro-Am). The Pro-Am class where Thompson and McIntosh are featured, looks to be the most competitive, with thirteen entries at the opening round and some notable new driver pairings set to make their series debut.

For Thompson, the Pirelli GT4 America series is familiar ground. Across two previous seasons in the Silver class, he earned 6 pole positions, 6 podiums, and 2 race wins in 21 starts, all in Toyota’s flagship GR Supra GT4. Thompson’s achievements with the platform are world-class. In 2023, he added another milestone—claiming the GR Supra GT4’s first-ever victory in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge competition. He has also played a central role in the development of Toyota Gazoo Racing’s new GR Supra GT4 EVO2, making its competition debut this season.

“I’m excited to return to Pirelli GT4 America, driving the No. 69 Toyota Gazoo Racing GR Supra GT4 EVO2 with Tony and Ghost Rider Squad Racing,” said Thompson. “Our group brings a lot of personality to the paddock. I think we’re going to have a lot of fun out there. Don’t be fooled though, we’re fully focused on performance. Tony is an extremely talented Bronze driver. I expect big things!”

Teammate Anthony McIntosh enters the season with a remarkable list of accomplishments from 2024, where he claimed four championship wins including: (1) Lambo Super Trofeo Worlds Pro-Am, (2) Lambo Super Trofeo North America Am, (3) Porsche Endurance Championship, (4) Italian GT3 Am Championship .

Thompson and McIntosh already have a winning record together, having earned recent victories in both the Porsche Endurance Challenge at COTA and Asian Le Mans Series Race 1 in Dubai. For 2025, the duo joins Pirelli GT4 America looking to further hone their race craft while pushing for Pro-Am honors.

2025 Pirelli GT4 America Schedule

March 28–30       Sonoma Raceway
April 25–27          Circuit of the Americas (3-HR Enduro)
May 16–18           Sebring International Raceway
July 18–21           Virginia International Raceway
August 15–17        Road America
September 5–7     Barber Motorsports Park
October 16–19      Indianapolis Motor Speedway

All races will be streamed live on YouTube via @GTWorld.
For full schedule details, livestream links, and more, visit parkerthompsonracing.com/live

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

Thompson and Hanley Primed and Ready for Pirelli GT4 America at NOLA

Thompson and Hanley Primed and Ready for Pirelli GT4 America at NOLA

New Orleans, LA

Hanley Motorsports is prepared for a strong performance in Rounds 3 & 4 of the 2023 Pirelli GT4 America season at NOLA Motorsports Park, April 28-30. Parker Thompson and Daniel Hanley will share duties behind the wheel of the No. 999 GR Supra GT4 EVO in the Silver category. After pushing through challenges in their first weekend of racing last month at Sonoma Raceway, Hanley Motorsports is eager to showcase its full potential at this weekend’s event.

With two races in the season-opener under their belts and two days of testing completed at NOLA Motorsports Park last week, Hanley Motorsports is primed for action. “We’re excited to be heading to NOLA Motorsports Park and are ready for what awaits us there,” said team owner Robert Hanley. “At Sonoma, we dove in headfirst and still felt like we were on the cusp of success. Now that we’ve had a chance to start developing our team and our car, we’re excited to see what we can accomplish.”

Parker Thompson emphasized the benefits of testing at the unique, 16-turn New Orleans road course. “Neither Daniel nor I have much experience at NOLA Motorsports Park, so we both appreciated the opportunity to familiarize ourselves with the course in advance of race weekend. On top of that, we are excited to have recently taken delivery of a brand-new GR Supra GT4 EVO. Having two cars on hand helped Daniel, myself, and, notably, our engineer Geoff Fickling make the most of our time. I’m enjoying the balance of the GR Supra. As I get more comfortable with the car, my expectations continue to rise,” said Thompson. “We have a great team. Now it’s time to show it.”

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

Promise for Hanley Motorsports and Parker Thompson After Opening Weekend in Pirelli GT4 America

Promise for Hanley Motorsports and Parker Thompson After Opening Weekend in Pirelli GT4 America

SONOMA RACEWAY, CA

 

Hanley Motorsports performed admirably in their Pirelli GT4 America debut at Sonoma Raceway. Entering the weekend, the newly assembled team and No. 999 GR Supra GT4 EVO of Parker Thompson and Daniel Hanley expected to challenge the front of the field. The pair showed great pace throughout the season-opening weekend despite challenges that ultimately prevented them from having a major impact on the results sheet.

In just his second career race weekend, rookie driver Daniel Hanley showed good progression. The nineteen-year-old trimmed lap time in every session as he learned the Sonoma Raceway road course and GT4 race car. In Race 1 Qualifying, Hanley finished 28th out of forty-three entries.

With extensive experience and a record of winning in multiple series, expectations were high for Hanley’s codriver and coach, Parker Thompson. In Friday’s second practice session, the Canadian was 3rd fastest among all competitors. In Qualifying on Saturday afternoon, he earned a tenth-place grid position for Race 2.

In races on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, the Hanley Motorsports team faced significant adversity. In the first contest, Daniel Hanley experienced a collision while making a routine-looking overtake early in the race. Damage to the driver’s front corner on the white, red, orange, and yellow Hanley Motorsports GR Supra forced the team to retire.

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.”