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

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

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.

Parker Thompson Ready to Take on Road America with Hanley Motorsports and Pirelli GT4 America

Parker Thompson Ready to Take on Road America with Hanley Motorsports and Pirelli GT4 America

Elkhart Lake, WI

After standout performances in IMSA race series through June and July, Parker Thompson is gearing up to return to action with SRO and Pirelli GT4 America. He’ll join teammate Daniel Hanley, piloting the No. 999 Hanley Motorsports GR Supra GT4 EVO as the series visits Road America this weekend, August 18th-20th.

Though the Pirelli GT4 America series has been on break since its June visit to VIRginia International Raceway, Thompson has been anything but idle. Since that time, he earned race victories in both the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with Vasser Sullivan and Lexus Racing USA, and the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge with Hattori Motorsports and Toyota Gazoo Racing North America. Combine these victories with his Silver-class triumph in May at the Circuit of the Americas in the SRO GT4 series, and its clear that the young Canadian is a formidable force in his rookie season with the Toyota sports car family.

Thompson holds high hopes for his return to “America’s National Park of Speed.” The 4-mile Wisconsin circuit, with its storied history spanning over six decades, has played a pivotal role in Thompson’s career. “From the track itself to the atmosphere of the region, Road America is always one of my favorite places to race. It’s been home to some of my career’s most memorable battles and wins.”

Thompson and teammate Hanley will share driving duties in two one-hour races scheduled on Saturday and Sunday, and hopes are high. Thompson reflected, “While our team has faced challenges earlier in the season, that doesn’t deter our ambitions. Road America offers a perfect opportunity for us to have a big impact.”

 

Event Schedule

Races 8 & 9 of Pirelli GT4 America at Road America

Friday, August 18, 2023
12:00 PM – Practice 1
5:15 PM – Practice 2

Saturday, August 19, 2023
10:25 AM – Qualifying Driver 1
10:40 AM – Qualifying Driver 2
5:00 PM – Race 1

Sunday, August 20, 2023
10:55 AM – Race 2

*All times CDT

Follow Parker through the weekend @parkertracing on social media channels and at parkerthompsonracing.com/live.
Watch races live via SROMotorsports YouTube or Twitch channels.

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 So Far at VIR

Thompson Looks to Continue Upward Momentum with Strongest Effort of the Season So Far 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.