AUSTIN, Tex., (May 15, 2024) – Continuing on a busy swing to the first half of the 2024 sports car racing calendar for Flying Lizard Motorsports, this week, the team heads to Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, for the next rounds of the GT World Challenge America, GT America, and GT4 America. Armed with the fleet of Lizard Aston Martin GT4s, GT3s, and a Nissan Z, the team is ready for what is promising to be an exciting weekend in the Lone Star State.

“COTA is a great facility and a track we have had success at previously,” said Program Manager Darren Law. “As usual during this time of year it will be hot and very humid, this always adds an extra challenge to the races for the drivers, the engineers and the crew but we are up for the challenge. Lastly, it is nice to be welcoming Rodrigo Baptista back to the program in the Nissan Z GT4. He has raced for us for several years and is always fast. It will be nice to get his input on the car and see what we can do.”

Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS
Race Length: 90 minutes
Classes: Overall, Pro-Am, AM
Race Start: 5/18 @ 12:30 PM CDT; 1:30 PM @ 5/19 CDT
Race Stream: YouTube.com/GTWorld

COTA will host rounds five and six of the GT World Challenge America championship, where the field has expanded to a healthy 16 cars. Elias Sabo and Andy Lee are still on their quest to crack into the top five as they continue to ride the learning curve off the new Aston Martin Vantage GT3, and the level of competition in GT World Challenge America. The pair hold two sixth-place finishes and have shown themselves to be podium contenders, and are hungry for that first top-three result together.

GT America powered by AWS
Race Length: 40 minutes
Classes: SRO3, GT2, GT4
Race Start: 5/18 @ 3:25 PM CDT; 9:35 @ PM 5/19 CDT
Race Stream: YouTube.com/GTWorld

Though the GT America season has been filled with highs and lows for many of the competitors, including Flying Lizard, the team currently has a foothold on fourth place in the GT4 standings following four top-five finishes by Todd Parriott in the No. 31 Aston Martin Vantage GT4. While Jason Bell had some bad luck in race one at the previous event at Sebring International Raceway, he was able to come back to finish in eighth place in race two in the GT3 class. With each weekend, he and the team made strides in his new GT3 Aston Martin, rising to the challenge of the new endeavor.

Pirelli GT 4 America
Race Length: Three Hours
Classes: Silver, Pro-Am, Am
Race Start: 5/18 @ 5:00PM CDT
Race Stream: YouTube.com/GTWorld

This weekend, the Pirelli GT 4 America series will hold the first-ever endurance race, switching up from the two-race 60-minute format to a three-hour endurance event. The No. 5 Nissan Z will undergo a driver change with longtime Lizard driver Rodrigo Baptista stepping in for the COTA weekend to race alongside Damir Hot. Baptista first joined Flying Lizard in the Pirelli World Challenge in 2017, where he finished in fourth place in the GTS championship standings. He raced with Flying Lizard-managed GT3 programs in North America and Europe for the next three years, earning two wins and 12 podiums, gaining valuable endurance racing experience. His return to the team will be a welcome one as the Lizards continue to learn and develop the new car.

Todd Parriott and Tom Dyer will remain co-drivers in the No. 13 Aston Martin Vantage GT4, competing in the three-hour one-off. Both drivers have endurance racing experience and coupled with the endurance racing history of Flying Lizard, are eager to build on their pair of top-five finishes. Thirty-one cars are set to compete in the endurance event, which will count for double points.

Event Schedule | All Times CDT
Friday, May 17
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM Bronze Test
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM GT America Practice 1
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM GTWCA Practice 1
12:05 PM – 12:55 PM GT4 America Practice 2
1:35 PM – 2:05 PM GT America Practice 2
3:05 PM – 4:05 PM GTWCA Practice 2
5:10 PM – 6:00 PM GT4 America Practice 2

Saturday, May 18
8:00 AM – 8:15 AM GT America Qualifying
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM GTWCA Qualifying 1
9:20 AM – 9:35 AM GTWCA Qualifying 2
10:20 AM – 10:35 AM GT4 America Qualifying
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM GTWCA Race 1
3:25 PM – 4:05 PM GT America Race 1
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM GT4 America Race

Sunday, May 19
9:35 AM – 10:15 AM GT America Race 2
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM GTWCA Race 1
2:15 PM – 3:45 PM GTWCA Race 2

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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 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.