Starworks Motorsport Aims to Repeat Past Success at Detroit Grand Prix

BELLE ISLE, Mich., (May 30, 2019) – Following a challenging start to the 2019 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the drivers and crew at Starworks Motorsport are optimistic heading into their first street course race of the year, the Chevrolet Sports Car Classic in Detroit, Michigan. The three day festival of speed will take place May 30 to June 2, and with over 30 guests on site, Starworks Motorsport will race the No. 8 Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO, looking to defend their back to back 2015 and 2016 wins.

“We’ve proven to be highly competitive in Detroit in years past, and I have no doubt we’ll be able to contend again for the win this year,” said Team Owner Peter Baron. “Vertical Bridge, our primary sponsor for the season, will be bringing guests to cheer us on for race day, and that’s even more motivation for us to fight for a podium.”

Founded in 2014, Vertical Bridge is the largest private owner and manager of communication infrastructure in the United States, with over 266,000 wireless and broadcast towers, rooftops, land parcels, billboards and other managed sites nationwide. Thirty representatives of Vertical Bridge will arrive to Belle Isle, a small island between downtown Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, on race day to catch the 100-minute race Saturday afternoon.

With two challenging endurance races and one sprint race complete, the team has made the final preparations, hoping the Detroit Grand Prix will bring the team their first podium of the season. The 14 turn, 2.3 mile temporary street course is expected to suit the No. 8 Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO well, driven by Ryan Dalziel and Parker Chase.

“It has not been the start to our season we wanted, but Detroit is hopefully the changing point,” said Dalziel. “I love street courses and Detroit is a tough one. I think our Audi will be fast on the streets so I’m looking forward to getting on track. It’s also a big event for our sponsor, Vertical Bridge, who will have around 30 guests there to support us, so we will be doing our very best to give them something to cheer about.”

Dalziel, a sports car veteran, is no stranger to the Detroit street circuit. The Chevrolet Sports Car Classic will be Chase’s debut at the track, but the young American has had ample success on street courses, with three consecutive podiums at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (2016, 2017, 2018), and another podium at the Long Beach Grand Prix circuit (2018).

“Can’t wait to get on track in Detroit,” said Chase. “It’s my first time going and I really love street courses. I’m hoping to keep the Starworks Detroit winning streak alive this weekend.”

The drivers will begin their race weekend on Thursday evening, May 30, with a track walk to inspect and review the circuit while the team sets up the garage for the weekend in the IMSA paddock. The track time will be minimal, with all practice and qualifying sessions on Friday, before taking the green flag for the race on Saturday afternoon. IMSA Radio will offer live coverage of every session on imsa.com, and live timing will be available on livescoring.us. The 100 minute Chevrolet Sports Car Classic begins Saturday, June 1 at 12:40PM Eastern. Live domestic coverage begins at 12:30PM Eastern on NBC Sports, and international audiences can steam live on IMSA.tv.

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2019 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Schedule

January 24-27

Rolex 24 at Daytona

Daytona Beach, Florida

March 13-16

Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring

Sebring, Florida

May 3-5

Acura Sports Car Challenge at Mid-Ohio

Lexington, Ohio

May 31-June 1

Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix Presented by Lear

Detroit, Michigan

June 27–30

Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen

Watkins Glen, New York

July 5 - 7

Sports Car Grand Prix

Bowmanville, Ontario

July 19 – 20

Northeast Grand Prix

Lakeville, Connecticut

August 2-4

Road America

Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin

August 23-25

Michelin GT Challenge at VIR

September 13-15

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

Monterey, California

October 8-12

Motul Petit Le Mans

Braselton, Georgia

About Starworks Motorsport

Established in 2010 by Peter Baron, Starworks Motorsports is a sports car racing team based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The team entered the history books in 2012 by becoming the first LMP2 Champions in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the first North American team to win an FIA World Championship in 46 years. The team also won the 2012 GRAND-AM North American Endurance Championship and led with the most laps in a Daytona Prototype. The team again clinched the driver and team championships in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2016.

About Vertical Bridge

Vertical Bridge is the largest private owner and manager of communication infrastructure in the United States owning or master leasing towers, rooftops, billboards, utility attachments and other site location assets, and leasing them to telecommunications carriers and other users of wireless technology. Vertical Bridge sites and assets are located in hard-to-zone areas, and offer significant opportunities to their clients to enhance their subscribers’ experience via improved network performance.

Sparco

Sparco USA is an online retailer for action sports enthusiasts offering high end performance apparel and accessories for vehicles, racing and karts. As one of the most recognizable brands in the world of motorsports, Sparco provides the world of motorsports with safety gear including suits, gloves, shoes, helmets and underwear. Sparco is also a leader in sportswear and team wear.

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