TR3 Switches to Mercedes-AMG, Adds GT4 Program

Photo: Daniel Morad

TR3 Racing has made the switch from Lamborghini to Mercedes-AMG machinery in Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS, while adding a Pirelli GT4 America program to the mix.

The Florida-based team confirmed that it will field a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo for Daniel Morad and Ziad Ghandour in the Pro-Am class, beginning with this weekend’s season-opener at Sonoma Raceway.

“It’s been a flawless transition to Mercedes,” said team principal Gregory Romanelli.

“Thanks to all the personnel behind AMG, and especially Julian Schoch (Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing project manager), who has made everything so simple for us.

“We have been running the car for a few months now and we’ve gotten up to speed fairly quickly. The SRO field will mainly be Mercedes, so we can’t wait to put ourselves up against teams that have been running the car for quite some time now.”

While new to the team, Morad brings a number of years of Mercedes-AMG experience to the team, including previous GTWC America campaigns with the brand.

“We are excited to have Daniel in the car with Ziad,” said Romanelli. “We have had some great battles against each other in the past, and I can say I’m happy to have Daniel on our side now.”

Morad added: “I’m really happy to join TR3 alongside Ziad. It’s great to see another top-level team switching over to the Mercedes-AMG platform. With so much prior success in the series, I’m very much looking forward to get to work with the team and tackling this new challenge.”

TR3, meanwhile, will also campaign an Aston Martin Vantage GT4 for Jon Branam and Paul Kiebler in GT4 America competition.

Branam is a veteran racer, stunt driver and coach, having scored a pole and podium finish in previous SRO America competition.

Kiebler, who has experience in single-make series and SRO America races, will be driving the No. 77 Aston in the accompanying GT America powered by AWS rounds this year in addition to GT4 America alongside Branam.

“It’s been almost a year in the making to put this program together with Paul Kiebler,” said Romanelli. “The off-season was quite busy for us putting together a whole new program to TR3 Racing.

“We had a great outing in Daytona together, finishing first in the Bronze Cup in the GS race. We were able to put together a very experienced team with these cars. So we are confident to offer Paul Kiebler and Jon Branam a competitive car.”

The family-run team is looking forward to building on the relationship with this expanded program.

“I’ve had a great friendship with John for over 10 years now, and I’m very excited to be working together with him,” said Romanelli. “He really excelled for us in the Indy 8 Hour last year. I look forward to this new venture with this new program, new cars, and new drivers for TR3 Racing.”

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