Bell’s Switch to GT America a “Reset” Before Indy 8H

Jason Bell said his mid-season switch to GT America powered by AWS competition from GT World Challenge America powered by AWS at Virginia International Raceway serves as a “reset” to help him prepare to return to SRO America’s flagship series for the season-ending Indianapolis 8 Hour presented by AWS.

Bell, now in his second full season of GT3 competition, co-drives the No. 2 Racers Edge Motorsports Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo with Michael Cooper and stepped up to GTWC America for the first time this year after a 2024 season with Flying Lizard Motorsports in GT America.

By his own admission, it has been a difficult start to the season, with Racers Edge sitting ninth in the driver’s standings and a best result of fifth at the Circuit of The Americas earlier this year.

With plans to contest the eight-hour season finale at The Brickyard in October, Bell hopes his return to GT America this weekend, as well as outings at Road America and Barber Motorsports Park will allow him to get more comfortable in the car and be better prepared for Indianapolis.

“My decision to do this wasn’t based on anybody. It was more personal,” Bell told Sportscar365. “I’m just really trying to reset.

“If we would had been in the championship hunt, at least even third, I wouldn’t have done it.

“It’s been really frustrating. I’ve had a lot going on, so I haven’t been able to focus on testing or anything like that, which at this level, you have to do more of.

“The plan right now is we’re definitely going to race the eight-hour. What I’m trying to do is focus on that. And we’re working with Aston Martin to fill another driver spot.

“We’ll focus on that race to where we can actually get a result there, which I think we can do. It’s more of a longevity race.”

Sportscar365 understands that Bell and Racers Edge could make a return to GTWC America competition for the round in Alabama, though the team’s and Bell’s focus remains on preparing for the Indy 8H.

Bell’s only other participation in GT America this year came in an appearance at the Long Beach Grand Prix.

However, he failed to make the start in Race 1 due to an electrical gremlin and suffered a troubled Race 2, which saw multiple trips down pit lane and Bell unable to make it to the finish in a damaged Aston Martin.

Nevertheless, Bell’s 2024 GT America campaign yielded a pair of SRO3 class podium finishes, including a season-best second-place finish at VIR in his Aston Martin GT3 car.

Bell said part of his goal in coming back to GT America for a few rounds prior to his planned return to SRO America’s flagship championship is to get back to fighting for podium results in a series where he has found success in the past.

“Last year, I raced a season there, and that was my first season in the car,” said Bell. “I do like GTA. I like driving the whole race. If I had it my way, I would do both [series], but it’s a lot to put on [the team] with one car.

“I’d like to be on the podium. That’s what my goal is. That’s what I was used to doing.

“We step back to this series, but there are still good guys that we’re racing. I am racing against the same or better. Some are the same guys, so it’s not like I’m losing out on the level of competition for me.”

Bell said he is already feeling a positive difference this weekend at a circuit where he first drove to victory with Racers Edge back in 2017 aboard a SIN R1 GT4 in Pirelli World Challenge.

“I think the goal is to focus on getting better and still learning the car,” Bell said. “The goal is just to make it smooth. It’s mental too.

“I like this [place]. I won my first race at this track with [Racers Edge]. I like it because it’s a driver’s track.

“It’s a lot less pressure right now. I feel a lot better this weekend with what we’re doing. I’m just going to dial it back. This class is a lot less stress.

“Without the pressure of pit stops and the results, it kind of just lets me relax a little bit. The team is ready to do it. I definitely like GT World Challenge and I want to be in there, but right now I’m just trying to reset everything.”