AUSTIN, TX (Thursday, May 16, 2024) – SKI Autosports GT America racer Johnny O’Connell heads to Circuit of the Americas ready for redemption in a Texas showdown aboard his Audi R8 LM3 GT3 Evo.
O’Connell already has one “win” to his credit for SKI Autosports. Last year he was first to take the checkered flag on a damp track aboard the team’s Ferrari, only to have the victory taken away for a pre-race tire selection procedural penalty.
While the veteran knows full well about the “swings and roundabouts” of penalties – SKI Autosports’ Sonoma victory for this year came at the expense of another racer’s post-race penalty – O’Connell dearly wants to the team to atone for last year and to take home a winner’s trophy from COTA.
SKI Autosports and O’Connell enter this weekend trailing by only four points in the championship battle. The team’s No.3 Audi is the only car to earn a spot on the podium in all six GT America races contested to date in 2024.
“Last year at COTA certainly stung a little because Johnny did such an outstanding job in slippery conditions. I know he would love to get back to victory lane this weekend,” SKI Autosports team owner, Kent Hussey said.
“The team has done a brilliant job with the new car this year and we’re starting to really unlock its speed secrets. Continuing our consistency is really important in chasing down the championship this year.
“The competition in GT America is very close, and we have to take advantage of every opportunity to collect points where we can.
“COTA is such an amazing facility to race at, and I know Johnny and the entire team are really looking forward to going into battle this weekend.”
GT AMERICA POWERED BY AWS SCHEDULE
Friday
9:30 – 10:00 GT America Practice
2:35 – 3:05 GT America Practice
Saturday
9:00 – 9:15 GT America Qualifying
4:25 – 5:05 GT America Race 1
Sunday
10:35 – 11:15 GT America Race 2
Live on-track race action is available at https://www.gtamerica.us/
Follow SKI Autosports at:
Twitter @AutosportsSki
Instagram @skiautosportsofficial
JOHNNY O’CONNELL
“Needless to say, I’m pretty pleased with how the season has begun. Still stinging a bit from Long Beach, where I thought we should’ve had that first win in a race one, I am pleased with the points that we got at Sebring.
“COTA should be interesting. I’m hopeful that it is a circuit that is going to lend itself to our car’s strengths. I also feel that the circuit very much owes us from last year, when we really did win that race with the Ferrari.
“I know that everybody at SKI Autosports, Kent, and Melissa, the entire team are really looking forward and motivated for this championship.”
