LONG BEACH, Cali., (April 16, 2024) – Race week for the Long Beach Grand Prix has arrived and this year’s running of the event has a special meaning for Flying Lizard Motorsport. Not only will the team compete with three Aston Martin entries in the SRO America GT America series, but the team will also return to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD class after an eight-year hiatus, fielding a fourth Aston Martin entry.

“Long Beach is a special event for Flying Lizard and for me,” said Program Manager Darren Law. “I love this event. I grew up in Southern California, so I have been attending this race for many years but also have many race laps here as well. We will have a busy weekend racing in two different series, but it is great to be back with IMSA WeatherTech and we are looking forward to the weekend.”

Each year, the downtown waterfront streets of downtown Long Beach transform into a 1.968, 11-turn temporary street course. The circuit’s layout, comprised only out of public roads, presents drivers with narrow sections, tight corners, and unforgiving barriers. The proximity of walls and barriers leaves little margin for error as competitors throughout the weekend fight for top honors across all series. The Long Beach Grand Prix hosts a strong variety of racing action for all race fans, including the IMSA WeatherTech Championship, IndyCar, historic racing, drifting, and stadium super trucks.

IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship
Race Length: 100 minutes
Classes: GTP, GTD
Race Start: 4/20 at 1:35 PM PT
Race Stream: Peacock

As previously announced, the Lizards are making a welcome return this weekend only to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship on the 20th anniversary of the team’s debut in the American Le Mans Series. Hometown hero Elias Sabo brings his No. 28 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 to the foray with co-driver Andy Lee. The two will dive into the deep end of North American sports car racing, competing in the 100-minute sprint race against some of IMSA’s fiercest competitors. Twenty-seven entries are set to compete in the event, with 17 in the GTD class.

Sabo and Lee will strive for a flawless weekend, having taken delivery of their new GT3 shortly before the Fanatec GT World Challenge America season opener earlier this month.

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GT America powered by AWS
Race Length: 40 minutes
Classes: SRO3, GT2, GT4
Race Start: 4/20 at 4:45 PM PT; 4/21 at 4:20 PM
Race Stream: YouTube.com/GTWorld

In GT America, the two full-season entries of Todd Parriott in the No. 13 Aston Martin GT4 and 2023 series champion Jason Bell in the No. 2 Aston Martin Vantage GT3. They’ll be joined by Elias Sabo in his No. 8 Aston Martin Vantage GT4. With two races already under their belts, Parriott and Bell have the advantage of the season opener’s momentum, while Sabo will get extra time on track due to his WeatherTech festivities. In the GT4 class, Parriott has celebrated two fifth-place finishes and is off to a strong start for his debut season with the Lizards. After conquering the GT4 championship last season, Jason Bell has stepped up to the more powerful and more technical GT3 racing machinery. Bell took delivery of his car just before the Sonoma Raceway season opener and is ready to get more track time in with his machine.

Event Schedule | All Times Pacific
Thursday, April 18
6:00 PM – 10:30 PM Thunder Thursday at the Pike Outlets

Friday, April 19
7:45 AM – 8:15 AM GT America Practice 1
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM WeatherTech Practice 1
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM GT America Practice 2
12:50 PM – 2:20 PM WeatherTech Practice 2
4:25 PM – 4:40 PM GT America Qualifying
5:00 PM – 5:15 PM WeatherTech GTD Qualifying

Saturday, April 20
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM WeatherTech Autograph Session
1:35 PM 3:15 PM IMSA Grand Prix of Long Beach
4:45 PM – 5:25 PM GT America Race One

Sunday, April 21
4:20 PM – 5:00 PM GT America Race Two

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About Flying Lizard Motorsports
Based out of Sonoma, California, Flying Lizard Motorsports is one of the most iconic sports car teams in motorsports, having celebrated ten driver and team championships, as well as competed internationally at the 24 Hours of Le Mans eight times.

The Lizards burst on the American Le Mans Series scene in 2004, competing in the GT class until 2012. In 2013, the team moved to the GTC class, still competing in legendary events such as the 12 Hours of Sebring and 24 Hours of Daytona. In 2014, the team expanded its program to include running two Audi R8 LMS in the TUDOR Championship, and in 2015, again expanded the program to include two Porsches in Porsche Club racing. Flying Lizard closed out the season with a dominating win at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill with Toyo Tires, a win they repeated in 2016, 2017, and 2018. The 2020 season proved the team’s most successful to date, earning four titles in the GT4 America championship. Flying Lizard Motorsports has proven to be a championship contender no matter the race series or race car. For more information, visit lizardms.com.

About 5.11
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About Apex Motor Club
Apex Motor Club is Arizona’s premier motorsports club located just 35 miles southwest of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and the only private motorsports club located within a major metropolitan area. APEX is the ultimate country club for automotive enthusiasts where car culture, racing and country club lifestyles converge. Enjoy an hour of track time in your latest acquisition, drive off track, into your privately-owned garage and join like- minded enthusiasts in the clubhouse for food, beverages, and activities.

To learn more about the newest racing circuit in the country, visit https://apexmotorclub.com