ATLANTA, GA (Wednesday, December 20, 2023) – After a highly successful limited season in 2023, culminating in winning the SRO GT America Masters Class Championship, SKI Autosports is looking forward to even greater success in 2024.
The team’s early Christmas present came in the form of a recently acquired 2022 Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II – the latest iteration of the classic and race-winning Audi R8.
The new car replaces the Audi R8 LMS Ultra used to great effect by Johnny O’Connell, who scored multiple podiums in 2023 and a win on the Streets of Nashville.
“With an older car, we were able to post five podium finishes this season at such iconic tracks as Sebring, VIRginia International Raceway, Road America, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway and captured our first SRO GT America win of the season in August on the streets of Nashville at the Music City Grand Prix,” said SKI Autosport owner Kent Hussey.
“The team was coming off a couple of great seasons, with International GT winning the Maranello Cup Championship in 2021 after running a limited season in 2020. The decision was then made to step up to SRO GT America on a very limited season in 2022, garnering multiple podiums and our first SRO race win at Road America.
“We only participated in 7 of the 9 races this year, starting out our season with a Ferrari 458 at NOLA Motorsports Park and had great success at Circuit of The Americas, winning the pole. Changing to the Audi R8 LMS at VIRginia International Raceway, we continued our string of podium finishes.
“For 2024 we are taking our commitment further with the Audi R8 EVO and we have re-signed Johnny for another full season. The team will be testing the new car extensively during the off-season with Johnny and Matthew Bell (UK) in advance of our first race in Sonoma.”
O’Connell is an SRO GT World Challenge legend, having won four consecutive championships from 2012 to 2015.
This year’s GT America championship will feature eight rounds at amazing venues such as Sonoma Raceway, Long Beach, Sebring International Raceway, Circuit of The Americas, Virginia International Raceway, Road America, Barber Motorsports Park and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“We’ve heard that several new teams and drivers are stepping into the SRO GT America ranks in 2024 and the competition will be fierce,” Hussey said. “However, we are excited about the performance of the new Audi and are focused on continuing our Masters Class reign, as well as going for the overall Championship.”
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JOHNNY O’CONNELL
“As someone who spent the majority of his career racing for factories (25 years), I have to say that last year racing for SKI Autosports was one of my most favorite experiences in racing so far.
“A tiny little team with ten-year-old cars, we became family. Winning the Masters Class Championship, getting overall wins and multiple podiums with barely any testing, the results were due to the talent and hunger of everyone on the team.
“Looking to 2024, there is a passion and drive from Kent and Melissa to win the overall championship and well Christmas came early in the form of a new Audi. Needless to say I’m looking forward to the challenge and also to delivering for them.
“With our team of Phil and Rossella, Alton and Raphael – and a whole lot of desire and commitment to the goal, I expect next season to be one of my best ever.”
