Van der Steur Racing Moves into GS With Aston Martin

Van der Steur Racing will move up to the top class of IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge next year with an Aston Martin Vantage GT4.

The Maryland-based squad has competed in TCR since 2020 but is now making the step up to the higher GS category in a bid for overall honors.

Austin McCusker, the 2019 Prototype Challenge champion, and Rory van der Steur will team up for the full season.

Indy Pro 2000 Championship driver Wyatt Brichacek will join them for the season-opening BMW M Endurance Challenge at Daytona next month.

Van der Steur shared a Hyundai Veloster N TCR with Tyler Gonzalez this year.

“I have known Austin for quite some time going back to the karting days,” said van der Steur.

“I’m super excited to have him for the full year as I have a lot of confidence in ourselves and the team to figure out this car very well.

“It’s a big jump to go into the GS class, but I knew it was coming and so did everyone on the team. I think all the personnel will adapt to the car very quickly to give Austin and I a competitive car.

“Having Wyatt join us for Daytona will be a huge eye-opener for him as it’s his first endurance race. He is coming from open-wheel and as well as sprint races, so he definitely will have a lot to learn before the race, but I have full confidence in him.”

McCusker is set for his Pilot Challenge debut and his first season of GT racing.

After winning the 2019 Prototype Challenge title, the 24-year-old American spent two years in the European Le Mans Series with LMP3 teams Nielsen Racing and RLR MSport.

“I’m really excited to join Van Der Steur Racing for the IMSA Michelin Pilot season,” McCusker said.

“This will be my first season in GT cars, so there will be a bit of a learning curve for me but the Aston Martin GT4 looks to be a good package and I believe it will give us the opportunity to fight at the front of the stacked grid.

“On top of that, I am very pleased to return to the IMSA paddock full-time for the first time since winning the IMSA prototype challenge in 2019.

“I first met Rory and [team owner] Gunnar [van der Steur] in karting, so we have a long history together and I can’t wait to really push for some solid results together.”