M1 GT Racing Set to Compete in Intercontinental GT Challenge
First North American based team to register for series
Adding to their 2016 plans, M1 GT Racing, an Audi Sport customer racing (AScr) program, is excited to announce their participation in the SRO promoted Intercontinental GT Challenge. Confirming plans and entering events, M1 GT Racing is the first North American based team to enter the four continent series, as they will see action in the highly anticipated program.
“The Intercontinental GT Challenge is something that we had looked at since the Spa event in June of 2015,” explained Remi Lanteigne, M1 GT Racing Technical Director, who has also taken the business development role within the organization. “We reached out to the series, gathered and evaluated information, and were blessed by the timing of the 2016 Intercontinental GT Challenge and will contest multiple events.”
M1 GT Racing will enter the headline GT3 division at the SRO Motorsports Group promoted Intercontinental GT Challenge. Flying the Audi colors at the Six Hours of the Circuit of the Americas in March in conjunction with the Pirelli World Challenge and Sprint-X programs, M1 GT Racing will also compete in worldwide events and organized tests with the much awaited series.
Lanteigne continued, “We were really hoping to compete in all four events but the first event in Australia is just around the corner in February and the entire team agreed that if we couldn’t do it right, then we should hold off to make sure that we are 110% prepared and ready. We really like the product that SRO Motorsports has put to the racing community and believe in the series.”
Piloting the M1 GT Racing Audi R8 LMS will be the likes of Walt Bowlin, Guy Cosmo and Larry Pegram, as the trio will globetrot in their hunt for international success. Bowlin returns to the M1 GT Racing lineup as he will see action in not only the Pirelli World Challenge GTA division, but also in the Intercontinental GT Challenge program. Having driven all kinds of high-powered racecars, the Florida resident has experience in Formula Renault, Pro Mazda and Star Mazda machines and was the 2012 Star Mazda Expert Division champion on the strength of eleven victories.
“Racing in Spa at the 24 Hour race has been a dream of mine. To me, it is the Granddaddy of Sports Car racing, similar to the Indy 500, Daytona 500 and Monaco,” explained M1 GT Racing’s Walt Bowlin. “I am really excited to race on such an international stage, not only as part of M1 GT Racing, but also with two great friends in Guy (Cosmo) and Larry (Pegram). I will be working hard on the simulator to ensure that I am primed and ready to go.”
Bowlin continued, “There is also a strong chance of expanding our schedule to several other European events in 2016 and beyond.”
Guy Cosmo is a driver that needs no introduction in the world of sports car competition and will join Bowlin behind the wheel of the high powered and sleek looking Audi R8 LMS. A standout in open wheel racing, Cosmo transitioned to sports cars in 2003 where he quickly established himself. Known for not only his off track marketability, but also his on track speed and ability to maintain and preserve equipment, Cosmo claimed the American Le Mans Series Rookie of the Year honors in 2005. With race wins, pole positions, podium results and fast times to his credit, Cosmo will play a valuable role in the M1 GT Racing program in both North America and abroad.
“I’m so excited to be joining Remi and all the guys at M1GT and Audi Sport customer racing for the SRO Intercontinental GT Challenge. The SRO has created a platform for some of the most exciting and hotly-contested GT racing in the world lately and I’m honored to join M1GT as the first North American team to enter,” explained Cosmo. “M1GT has evolved considerably since it’s inception and is really stepping up it’s game. With a new Audi R8 LMS, continued support from Audi Sport customer racing and the fire and motivation within this crew, we will have a great experience making our foray into international competition.”
As a prominent figure in the two-wheel community, AMA World Superbike Rider Larry Pegram will be the third entrant in M1 GT Racing’s Intercontinental GT Challenge driver lineup. Gaining experience in the Pirelli World Challenge Sprint-X series and through multiple planned tests with the team, Pegram has also seen competition in the open wheel racing community behind the wheel of a Pro Mazda for three seasons and in IMSA GTD competition. Testing with M1 GT Racing at the NOLA facility earlier in 2015, Pegram was able to turn fast and competitive race laps and will be a great fit behind the wheel of the M1 GT branded Audi R8 LMS.
“I have been racing motorcycles my entire life and I feel honored to be able to jump into a team like M1 GT Racing at such high profile events such as the Intercontinental GT Challenge,” explained Larry Pegram. “My motorcycle career has been great, and I am excited and welcome the opportunities and challenges of sports car competition. To face these challenges with people such as Guy (Cosmo) and Walt (Bowlin) and in a first class operation at M1 GT Racing, I feel right at home and look forward to the 2016 season.”
M1 GT Racing would like to extend an extra thank you and welcome Tampa Bay Jaw Surgery and Surgery Centers of America to the international stage, as they will be partner and be prominently displayed on the M1 GT prepared Audi R8 LMS. Partnering with the Florida based squad in both North America and international competition, these two partners round out a solid M1 GT Racing program that will be a threat for race wins worldwide.
2016 Intercontinental GT Challenge Schedule:
Bathurst 12 Hours – Australia – February 6–7, 2016
Circuit of the Americas – U.S.A. – March 5–6, 2016
Total 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps – Belgium – July 28–31, 2016
Sepang 12 Hours – Malaysia – December 10–11, 2016