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CJ Wilson Racing Adds Burkett, Retains Miller for CTSC

CJ Wilson Racing confirms Burkett, Miller in Porsche for 2016…

Photo: CJ Wilson Racing

Photo: CJ Wilson Racing

CJ Wilson Racing has announced its first driver pairing for the 2016 Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge season, as the ST class championship-winning team moves up fully into the GS class following selected starts in 2015.

“We’re excited to be in GS full-time now and committing to that is important for the overall growth of the race team we want high-level drivers to come in and race our cars and we’re going to put a high-level racecar together for them,” Wilson said.

Team veteran Marc Miller returns for another season after a mix of ST and GS starts in 2015 and a full ST program the year before, now joined by team newcomer Daniel Burkett in the team’s new No. 33 Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport.

“I spent the holiday break looking forward to a full season of racing in the Continental Tire Series,” Miller said. “2014 saw me recovering and playing catch up after a rather harsh accident early in the year. 2015 was more of a learning year as we experimented with moving up into the GS class for the first time as a team.

“Heading into 2016, I know we still have a lot to learn and sort out. I have a young teammate that is very eager to learn and we have new cars to develop.

“Strangely enough, I wouldn’t want it any other way and look forward to working with Danny and the new Cayman GT4 Clubsport. I know we are capable of the same success we had in ST and are all prepared for the challenge.”

Burkett, a rising open-wheel star who made his maiden sports car starts in a pair of Prototype Challenge races with BAR1 Motorsports last year, including scoring a podium on debut at Watkins Glen, will join Wilson’s Continental Tire Challenge program for the full season.

“Coming out of 2015, I wasn’t exactly sure where I would end up driving, if I’m completely honest,” Burkett said. “I knew I needed to land somewhere not only where I could succeed as a driver, but also succeed on the business side of racing.

“After meeting with the CJ Wilson crew I knew I had found the right place. Working with Marc in 2016 is going to be awesome; he’s got a lot of experience. Seriously, the guy could be my dad!

“It’s great to have a teammate who I can learn so much from, but is also still a kid at heart. My confidence is very high coming into the 2016 regular season and I can’t wait to get started.”

ONE Capital Management joins returning partner Motor Oil Matters on the team’s No. 33 car.

Official testing began with the new cars this weekend at the Roar Before the Rolex 24 test, and announcements regarding the team’s second planned car will follow at a later date.

Tony DiZinno (@tonydizinno) is Sportscar365's North American Editor, focusing on coverage of the IMSA-sanctioned championships as well as Pirelli World Challenge. DiZinno also contributes to NBCSports.com and other motorsports outlets. Contact Tony

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