ATLANTA, GA (Wednesday, April 26, 2023) – Johnny O’Connell and SKI Autosports will return to SRO GT America Powered by AWS competition this weekend with rounds five and six of the 18-race series taking place at NOLA Motorsports Park outside of New Orleans, LA.
This will mark the return to the top level of sportscar competition for the four-time SRO (formally known as World Challenge) Champion. O’Connell has one of the most impressive résumés in professional sportscar racing, including four Le Mans 24 Hour class wins and three American Le Mans Series Championships.
“We are very excited to have Johnny drive for us this season in GT America,” said team owner Kent Hussey. “Johnny has achieved so much in sportscar racing; we’re honored to be the team he joined to make his return to the top level of sportscar competition.
“Due to schedule conflicts, we had to miss the first two events of the season. However, we are ready to make our 2023 debut with Johnny at the wheel of our Ferrari 458 GT3 and compete in the series for the remainder of the season
“Last season, we got our feet wet in GT America, running three races with a podium finish at each and scoring our first win. This year the competition has increased significantly, but we still have the same goal to be on the podium.”
SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, APRIL 28
9:20 – 9:50: Practice 1
1:45 – 2:15: Practice 2
SATURDAY, APRIL 29
8:00 – 8:15: Qualifying
12:55 – 1:35: Race 1
SUNDAY, APRIL 30
9:30 – 10:10: Race 2
HOW TO WATCH:
Event tickets available at https://www.showpass.com/sro-nola-motorsports-park/
Watch live on SRO TV: https://www.gtamerica.us/live
Live on-track action is available at https://www.gtamerica.us/
Follow SKI Autosports at:
Twitter @skiautosportsofficial
Instagram @skiautosportsofficial
JOHNNY O’CONNELL
“It’s been a really long time, but I have been to NOLA before. I think we did two days of testing there with the Cadillac.
“I liked the circuit, but at that time it was very bumpy. With my having been away for five years, and us doing minimal testing, I’m trying to set my expectations at a realistic level.
“There’s still so much we need to learn about the car, I need to shake off some rust and I know there are some very fast guys we will be racing against.
“The only guy I really know about is Memo Gidley. He’s a top guy, very clean racer and very fast. The other guys I’ll just have to learn as we go.
“At the end of the day, the most important thing is that I’m grateful to SKI Autosports for giving me this chance to show I can still compete at the highest-level.”
