Di Meo Returns to Compass as Sub for Sales at VIR

Michael Di Meo will make his return to Compass Racing this weekend at Virginia International Raceway, subbing for Rodrigo Sales, who has a conflict with the rescheduled European Le Mans Series event at Paul Ricard.

The addition of Di Meo to the No. 77 Richard Mille-sponsored Acura NSX GT3 Evo reunites the 2014 World Challenge Touring Car Champion with the team he won it with. 

“Michael was such a fantastic champion – winning with sublime drives throughout the 2014 season – and we are thrilled to have him back, this time to co-drive with Matt McMurry,” said team owner Jill Beck.

Toronto-based Di Meo has been busy in the years since, leading a Porsche Cayman program in Canadian Touring Car, and more recently competing successfully in Porsche’s GT3 Cup Challenge Canada.

“I’m so grateful to Compass for the opportunity to step up to World Challenge’s GT3 America, and have been working hard in the off-season to make the most of it,” said Di Meo.

“I’m looking forward to racing the NSX and working with Matt to get the number 77 to the front.

“I’m also looking forward to being in a car with Jeff Hanson’s livery, since Racing4Research was such a big part of my championship year.”

The No. 77 livery pays tribute to visually-impaired philanthropic artist Jeff Hanson, who suddenly passed away last December at the age of 27 from neurofibromatosis, the genetic disorder that took his vision 15 years prior.

Jeff’s art was on Compass race cars in 2014 as part of an at-track program – Racing4Research – that evolved into the Race Day Foundation in 2016.

“We ran cars featuring Jeff’s artwork throughout the 2014 season, and we’re so pleased to have Michael back with us in a Hanson-liveried car,” added Beck.

“I think Michael and Matt will make great teammates, and after a couple of difficult weekends in the first two rounds, we’re looking for race wins.”