Blancpain GT Series driver Rodrigo Baptista will complete Flying Lizard Motorsports’ driver lineup in its two-car Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport effort in the Pirelli World Challenge GTS class, the team confirmed Monday.
The 20-year-old Brazilian, who drove for Belgian Audi Club Team WRT in the Sprint Cup last year, joins the previously announced Nate Stacy in Flying Lizard’s new season-long program with the SRO GT4-spec machinery.
“There’s no better start in this new chapter in my racing career here in the United States,” Baptista said. “As I am coming from a European series, everything will be a new challenge for me and I like that.
“I can’t wait to drive the new Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR. I want to say thank you to my sponsor, HT Pro, to my family, always supporting my decisions and to everyone helping me so far.”
Both Stacy and Flying Lizard team principal and program manager Darren Law will travel to Germany to take part in a driver fitness camp at Potsdam University Outpatient Clinic in Brandenburg.
It is the same program Porsche’s Factory GT drivers, junior drivers and others are invited to undergo physical evaluations and training in preparation for each season.
“I am really looking forward to the upcoming season,” Law said. “We have signed two great drivers in Nate Stacy and Rodrigo Baptista. They are both young and have very credible racing backgrounds.
“We are thankful for our relationship with Porsche. Not only do they produce great cars but they are very supportive of their teams.
“Having the opportunity to take our drivers to Germany and put them through the fitness program and visit Porsche helps them to understand the history and culture of the brand.”