Speeding into Sonoma Pirelli GT4 America Championship Protected by CrowdStrike Set for Opening Round
As the first round of the 2024 Pirelli GT4 America Championship approaches, all eyes will be on Sonoma Raceway as drivers from across the globe converge to the California track to put the new season in motion. The GT4 series has gained immense popularity in recent years for its close racing, diverse field of manufacturers, and thrilling on-track battles across all three Silver, Pro-Am, and Am classes.
Anticipation fills the air as the Sonoma hills prepare to host an adrenaline-fueled weekend, with over 100 racecars across five fiercely contested championships. Competitors will battle for glory, turning the picturesque landscape into a stage for gripping action.
With a grid packed full of talented drivers and an array of powerhouse racing teams, fans can expect nothing short of edge-of-your-seat action from start to finish. Race One will take place on Saturday, April 6th with the second race being held the following day on Sunday, April 7th.
Silver Class
Many elite talents will be returning to the Silver Class field for another year of thrilling competition, with some emerging stars also looking to make a strong first impression on the grid.
2023 Driver’s Champion Zac Anderson will be back with Team Championship winners AutoTechnic Racing in the No. 51 BMW M4 GT4, with 2023 TC America Champion Colin Garrett stepping up to join him as his teammate. The two possess a great deal of experience and winning caliber and will be targeting another title to add to their achievements.
Vice Champion Michai Stephens will also be preparing for another action-packed year, this time with Jonathan Neudorf and TechSport Racing as the duo embarks on a new journey with the No. 23 Nissan Z NISMO GT4.
Meanwhile, Kenton Koch and Kevin Boehm will be resuming their duties with the No. 97 Random Vandals Racing BMW M4 GT4, with John Geesbreght and Tyler Gonzalez, and Daniel Hanley and Parker Thompson pairing up once again in the No. 68 Smooge Racing Toyota Gazoo Racing GR Supra GT4 EVO and No. 999 Hanley Motorsports Toyota Gazoo Racing GR Supra GT4 EVO entries.
The all-Canadian lineup of Demi Chalkias and Jake Cowden will be making their debut in the series in the No. 34 Mercedes-AMG GT4 in an exciting new chapter for the JMF Motorsports team.
Pro-Am Class
Last year’s Pro-Am championship battle came down to the last race of the season, and 2023 Vice Champions James Walker Jr. and Tyler McQuarrie will be aiming for redemption in the No. 82 BimmerWorld BMW M4 GT4 this time around.
Several driver pairings will be in hot pursuit following successful prior seasons together. Gray Newell and Roman De Angelis return once again, fitted with the No. 24 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4, and will be looking to pick up where they left off after claiming the final win of the season last year at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Curt Swearingin and Kay Van Berlo will be reuniting to co-drive the No. 7 ACI Motorsports Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, as will Eric Powell and Colin Harrison in No. 22 TechSport Racing Nissan Z NISMO GT4, and Todd Parriott and Tom Dyer in the No. 13 Flying Lizard Motorsports Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4. Michael Cooper will also be returning to the competition, this time paired with Tony Gaples in the No. 9 Blackdog Speed Shop Nissan Z NISMO GT4.
The 2024 season will also serve as an important new chapter for many teams and driver pairings in this class. Notably, Damir Hot and Stefan Rzadzinski will be ready to make a splash with the No. 5 Flying Lizard Motorsports Nissan Z NISMO GT4. Harry Cheung and Ryan Eversley have already been garnering a great deal of attention for their No. 07 Precision Racing LA Toyota Gazoo Racing GR Supra GT4 EVO entry. Alex Vogel and Matt Bell will be stepping up to the plate with the No. 43 P1 Groupe Mercedes-AMG GT4, with Michael Auriemma and Matheus Leist doing the same with the No. 89 RENNtech Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT4.
Am Class
Back-to-back Am Class Champions James Clay and Charlie Postins will be arriving in full force to try to secure their third consecutive championship title with their trusty No. 36 BimmerWorld BMW M4 GT4.
Nicholas Shanny and Terry Borcheller will be in the mix as well with the No. 20 Carrus Callas Raceteam BMW M4 GT4.
Many duos will be back on the grid to build on experience gained over the previous season, including Sean Gibbons and Sam Owen in the No. 17 OGH Motorsports Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, Roland Krainz and Austin Krainz in the No. 18 RS1 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, and David Peterman and Lee Carpentier in the No. 052 NOLASPORT Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport.
There are also several returning competitors who have switched up their partnering drivers for the upcoming season, with Hannah Grisham now teaming up with Hannah Greenemeier in No. 26 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT4. Anthony Geraci will be competing with Lance Bergstein in the No. 72 KRUGSPEED Toyota Gazoo Racing GR Supra GT4 EVO, with Robb Holland and Jaden Lander making up the lineup of the No. 099 Rotek Racing Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, and Paul Sparta co-driving with Kris Wilson for the No. 98 Random Vandals Racing BMW M4 GT4.
Finally, Matt Million and Troy Lindstrom will be newcomers to the field in the No. 53 AutoTechnic Racing BMW M4 GT4, with Steve Schneider and Seth Thomas being the newest additions to the NOLASPORT family in the No. 60 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport.
