After competing in three TUDOR United SportsCar Championship events in 2015, Flying Lizard Motorsports has announced the driver lineup and a new partner for their fourth race on the IMSA-sanctioned series calendar, Lone Star Le Mans at Circuit of the Americas.
The 2015 race season has been a busy one for the Sonoma, California based sports car team. In addition to running a full season in Pirelli World Challenge with K-PAX Racing, Flying Lizard Motorsports has also competed in several Porsche Club events, as well as the TUDOR Championship’s 24 Hours of Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring and the Monterey Grand Prix.
“We are really looking forward to coming back for another event this year in the TUDOR United SportsCar Challenge,” said Program Manager Darren Law. “This is where Flying Lizard’s roots are and where we have had so much success in the past. Unfortunately, with so many other projects going on this year, we haven’t been able to commit to a full season, so we have chosen select races that can fit within our existing schedule.”
Drivers Mike Vess and Jason Hart will pilot the No. 45 Audi R8 LMS, both of whom have tested previously at Circuit of the Americas with the team. Vess has earned five class wins so far this year in Porsche Club of America, having also clinched five PCA class wins in 2014. In 2013, Vess, alongside driver Mike Skeen finished 6th in the GTD class at Circuit of the Americas in GRAND-AM Road Racing. Hart also comes with experience, having run in Continental Tire (2011 and 2012), select GRAND-AM and TUDOR United SportsCar events from 2012 to 2014. Hart also has valuable seat time as a driver coach and testing driver, and currently holds the OEM SportsCar with OEM Tire track record at Texas World Speedway, a title previously held by Kuno Wittmer.
“Although our drivers are new to the team, they’re not new to endurance racing,” said Law. “Both Mike Vess and Jason Hart have experience in TUDOR, and this is their home track. Both guys are solid drivers and have a great shot at doing well. We came to COTA about a month ago and spent a day testing with them and letting them get used to the Audi. They did a great job and were very consistent.”
The Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, the leading driving school in North America, will also join Flying Lizard Motorsport as a partner for the event. Before accepting his role Program Manager with the Lizards, Darren Law previously held the title of COO for four years at Bondurant, a company he has remained close with since his departure.
“I have spent a lot of time with the school both as an instructor and in management as the COO,” said Law. “They are a great school with a great product, and if we can help bring more students to them to either get involved in racing or just be a safer driver on the road, it benefits all of us.”
“We are thrilled to be participating with Flying Lizard Motorsports,” said Phil Neri, Sr. Vice President of the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving. “To be involved with a team of their caliber is thrilling for the school. We hope this effort will lead to more involvement with Flying Lizard Motorsports in the 2016 race season.”
Mike Vess
I enjoy driving at COTA. It is a technical and challenging track, giving you a little bit of everything. It is exciting to be driving with Flying Lizard such a legendary organization. I have been so impressed with the professionalism of the Flying Lizard team. I am truly looking forward to racing with Jason Hart. He is such a talented committed driver and so technical in his race preparation. We may be the only bronze/bronze driver team in the race, but I believe one of Audi’s new slogans is “Challenge the Givens” — we intend to do that.
Jason Hart
I have to start by thanking Mike Vess, his family and Vess Energy for having me as a teammate for the TUDOR Championship GTD race at COTA. I couldn’t be more excited about joining Flying Lizard Motorsports for this effort; they are without a doubt one of the most powerful racing teams in the world. Mike and I have really enjoyed the professional approach the team takes, and it could be felt in the Audi R8 LMS during our recent test at COTA. The car was very well balanced and the entire crew was focused on putting forth their best effort with every adjustment; the additional pace realized with each session was proof of that! Having looked up to Flying Lizard Motorsports for so many years and getting to co-drive with a great friend/driver like Mike Vess, this race will be very special for me. I am humbled, blessed and excited to start this coming race weekend.
About Bondurant
The Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving is the official high-performance driving school of Chevrolet and Polaris. Opened in 1968 by Bob Bondurant, an internationally recognized leader in advanced driver training, it provides a full range of driver training to pros and novices alike. The largest purpose-built driving school in the world, the Phoenix facility includes a 15-turn, 1.6-mile road course, an eight-acre asphalt pad and more than 200 race-prepared vehicles. Bondurant SuperKart School offers two karting tracks with state-of-the-art equipment and training. Bondurant is also the premier leader in hosting unique corporate and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) events
Source. Flying Lizard Motorsports
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