52 Entries Already Confirmed for 24H COTA; Large U.S. Interest

Interest is growing for Creventic’s third annual Hanokook 24 Hours of COTA, with 52 entries already confirmed from across Europe, Asia and North America.

The provisional entry list for the Nov. 16-17 enduro at Circuit of The Americas already surpasses grid sizes for the inaugural race in 2017, which saw 41 cars, and last year’s event, which attracted 34 entries

More than one-third of the grid consists of North America-based teams.

LightSpeed racing, an event regular, returns to 24H Series action with the SCG 003C, a bespoke creation of American entrepreneur Jim Glickenhaus.

CP Racing is another high profile entrant. Charles Putman’s eponymously entered Mercedes-AMG GT3 secured titles in both the 24H GT Series Europe and Continents rankings in 2018.

Putman will once again partner compatriots Charles Espenlaub, Joe Foster and Shane Lewis.

Endurance fans will also be out in force to celebrate the 100th 24-hour (or longer) race for Jim Briody.

Briody competed in his first 24-hour event in 1981, and will start his last as a driver in the Cor Euser Racing MARC II V8 alongside fellow endurance racing legend Cor Euser and team stalwart, Einar Thorsen.

In the 991 class, Porsche GT3 Cup USA contenders Kelly-Moss Motorsports and Wright Motorsports will battle for class honors alongside reigning 991-class 24H Series Europe champion, Porsche Lorient Racing.

Across in the TCE division, Honda specialists Atlanta Speedwerks and LA Honda World Racing will defend American honors with their ‘FK7’ Civic TCR and Type-R TCR cars, respectively.

A stacked field in GT4 sees an impressive ten entrants hailing from the U.S., plus one from Canada.

Winward Racing returns for its third consecutive crack at class victory after two near misses, along with RHC Jorgensen/Strom and RENNtech Motorsports, both of which collected GT4 podium finishes in last year’s event.

On that note, Classic BMW is a two-time class winner at the race and looks to continue its undefeated streak with its M4 GT4.

Nolasport will bring a three-car Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport lineup to COTA, while Rearden Racing will be pulling double duty in both the GT4 and SP3 classes with its established Audi R8 LMS GT4 and Nissan 370Z respectively.

Canadian racer Samantha Tan makes her 24H Series debut with her eponymous ST Racing BMW M4, as does the Ginetta G55 of GT4 America runner, USRD.

Other notable entrants on the entry list include Black Falcon, the record-setting four-time winner at the Hankook 24H Dubai that also won the COTA race outright last year.

The German team has confirmed two Mercedes-AMG GT3s for the A6 class and GT4, while a Porsche 991 Cup MR will compete for SPX honors.

Inaugural race winner Herberth Motorsport will also contest the A6 class.

The Bavarian squad, a former series champion, goes into this year’s race in contention for the 24H GT Series Continents crown alongside current standings leader Leipert Motorsport and reigning Hankook 24H Dubai winner, Car Collection Motorsport.

This year’s event kicks off in with private testing on Thurs. Nov. 14, ahead of 90 minutes of Free Practice and two 45-minute qualifying sessions on Friday.

The green flag will fly at 11.30 a.m. CT on Sat. Nov. 16, and following an overnight intervention, will be brought to a close on Sunday at 9 p.m.