Law: “Learning Year” for Flying Lizard Vantage GT3 Evo Effort

Photo: Aston Martin

Flying Lizard Motorsports is approaching its re-entry into Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS as a “learning year” with the new Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo according to program manager Darren Law, with the team set for a two-pronged approach with the British manufacturer.

The Arizona-based squad, which was last represented on a full-time basis through the operation of K-PAX Racing in the 2022 Fanatec GT season, will field a upgraded Aston for the longtime driver pairing of Elias Sabo and Andy Lee.

Sabo and Lee, who finished third in the Pirelli GT4 America Pro-Am championship last year, step up to Fanatec GT competition for the first time.

Jason Bell, meanwhile, will continue in GT America powered by AWS although will move to the top class after winning the GT4 title in 2023.

“Obviously we worked with K-PAX and ran that for multiple year from but Flying Lizard’s standpoint, it’s back into the GT3 series,” Law told Sportscar365. “It’s really good for us. We’re excited.

“We have Elias, who has been with us for two seasons now and have done really well and have improved a bunch. It’s time for him to move up. So we’ve got a brand new Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo for him.

“Jason, who also ran and won the [GT America GT4] championship with us last year has decided he’s moving up too.”

Law said the team will be taking a measured approach with its dual-series Aston program, particularly in Fanatec GT, which will feature a number of returning GT3 efforts, including defending class champions CrowdStrike by Riley.

“There’s some great teams there,” said Law. “This will be a bit of a learning year for Elias in that car but he’s shown a ton of pace.

“We’ve been doing a lot of testing. We’re at our new facility at APEX Motor Club in Arizona. I feel like we’re ready and Elias has been quick, so I think we’ve got good potential.”

While having campaigned GT4-spec Astons in recent seasons, Law said the step up to GT3 competition, particularly with the brand’s updated car and new North American parts support from Jackson Motorsports Group, adds several new dynamics.

“Obviously we’ve worked with Aston for multiple years now, so we’ve got a good relationship,” he said.

“This is all new with their parts program but from what I’ve seen and working with them, it looks very organized and I think it will be good. Jackson is a well-run well-organized program.

“Aston has been great, although they have a lot of new cars and a lot of stuff going on. We’re maybe a little behind on a few things but we’ll be ready.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John