ATLANTA, GA (Tuesday, August 1, 2023) – After debuting the SKI Autosport Audi R8 LMS at VIRginia International Raceway in June, the team will move from the sweeping 3.3-mile road course in Alton, VA, to the intense, tight turns of the Nashville downtown street course.
The 2.17-mile Nashville street circuit runs adjacent to the home of the Tennessee Titans NFL team and crosses back and forth across the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge, which spans the Cumberland River.
GT America will headline the support events for this weekend’s race which is also the 13th round of the NTT INDYCAR Series.
“We were thrilled with our debut of the Audi at VIR, with an overall podium and Master’s Class win on Sunday,” said team owner Kent Hussey.
“This is what we came into SRO GT America competition to do, podiums and wins.
“Street courses have a bad reputation for race car carnage, but Johnny is a big fan of the street course. He has a ton of experience racing on street tracks, and the Audi should fare well on the Nashville circuit.
“The heat will be a big part of the challenge with temps into the 90s on Saturday and Sunday. However, we’re excited about Nashville and all it will bring.”
As the team tackles the demanding streets of Nashville, their prized Callaway Corvette, one of the gems in the Hussey family classic car collection, will be on display at the famed Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California.
Hussey explained, “The Callaway Corvette that we raced last December at the HSR Classic Daytona 24 is on display as part of an exhibit that celebrates eight of the greatest racing Corvettes from seven generations.”
The display, which is titled “Corvettes in Competition: Racing America’s Sports Car” opens August 5 at noon. Click here for further information: https://www.petersen.org/corvette
SRO GT AMERICA SCHEDULE:
Friday, August 4, 2023
11:30 – 12:00 Practice #1
5:30 – 6:30 Practice #2
Saturday, August 5, 2023
11:55 – 12:15 Qualifying
4:15 – 4:45 Autograph Session
7:05 – 7:45 Race #1
Sunday, August 6, 2023
3:50 – 4:30 Race #2
Live on-track action is available at https://www.gtamerica.us/
Follow SKI Autosports at:
Twitter @AutosportsSki
Instagram @skiautosportsofficial
JOHNNY O’CONNELL
“This will be my first time racing at Nashville, and from what I’ve heard the city puts on an amazing event, and I’m really looking forward to it.
“I’ve always been a massive fan of street circuits. Heck, I can still remember my first time racing at Long Beach in 1986. Street courses require such concentration, precision, and commitment.
“Clearly, there are some very good guys competing in the series. This far into the season, I’d say there are six or seven guys that are super quick and have their cars well sorted.
“This being our second race with the Audi, we’re still learning the car. We know we have a ways to go to maximize what we can do with the car. Having Phil Crieghton and Rossella Manfrinato guiding everything, prepping the car – this really motivates me to perform to my best for them, and especially for Kent and Melissa (Husssey).”
