After easing its way into racing two weeks ago at the Arlington Grand Prix, Blackdog Racing is ready to roll out both of its 2026 programs for the first full SRO Motorsports America weekend.
The team’s No. 33 McLaren Artura GT4 of Michael Cooper and Tony Gaples will make its season debut in a pair of one-hour races in Pirelli GT4 America while Liam Harrison continues his rookie year in Toyota GR Cup in the No. 55 Blackdog Cars Toyota GR86.
A year ago, Cooper and Gaples gave the Blackdog McLaren a fitting debut with a Pro-Am victory in the weekend’s first GT4 America race. It started a season that saw the pair finish third in the championship standings with two additional victories and eight podium finishes.
There aren’t many places on the schedule that are as friendly to Blackdog Racing than Sonoma. The team has claimed eight victories over the years in GT4 and GTS machinery. Six of those wins have come with Cooper at wheel; he has nine total at the track.
A total of 31 cars are on the entry list for Pirelli GT4 America, including 13 in Pro-Am.
Blackdog Racing also will continue its first-year Toyota GR Cup campaign with two more races for Harrison. The young driver posted positive results in a deep and competitive championship – just missing two top-10 finishes while recording the series’ Hard Charger award in his 2026 debut.
Blackdog Racing moves to Sonoma Raceway on March 27-29 for the first full weekend of SRO Motorsports America competition. All races in both Pirelli GT4 America and Toyota GR Cup will stream live on SRO Motorsports’ GT World YouTube channel.
MICHAEL COOPER, NO. 33 BLACKDOG CARS McLAREN ARTURA GT4: “I’m happy to start another season with Tony, Ray (Sorenson, team manager) and everyone at Blackdog Racing. That we get to do it again at Sonoma makes it even better. I’ve had a ton of success there, and so has the team. Looking at the entry list in Pro-Am this year, it will be important to get off to a good start. Tony and I were able to do that last year and I see no reason we can’t do it again.”
TONY GAPLES , NO. 33 BLACKDOG CARS McLAREN ARTURA GT4: “Racing at Sonoma is always a highlight and something that I look forward to. Being able to go back with a year’s worth of experience with our McLaren is a big boost. We always know the car can be successful there from our win there last year. Our expectation is to contend in both rounds and get our season off to a strong start.”
LIAM HARRISON, NO. 55 BLACKDOG CARS TOYOTA GR86: “I’m looking forward to getting to Sonoma and building on our good start from the Arlington weekend. Looking back, I’ve realized in the last few days how much I learned from that weekend. This week will be a completely different experience with one of the best road courses in America. I’ve always wanted to race at Sonoma so I’m excited to go there. Thankfully I will be able to tap into Blackdog Racing’s knowledge of how to be successful at this track, and I’m hopeful to put it to good use.”
RAY SORENSON, TEAM MANAGER, BLACKDOG RACING: “This is a big weekend for everyone on our team. It’s the first time that we will have dual programs running on the same weekend, but it’s something we are prepared for. We have a much better understanding of the McLaren than when we arrived at Sonoma last year, and we also had a good experience in our first race with Liam in GR Cup at Arlington. It will be a big effort from our group, but every person on the team is ready to do what we need to do in order to be successful in both championships.”
About Blackdog Racing
Ever dreamed of piloting a real SRO GT race car? Blackdog offers rental and “arrive and drive” racing in addition to purpose-built cars. Email sales@blackdogspeedshop.com to discuss the best way to put you in the driver’s seat!
About Blackdog Cars
At Blackdog Cars, luxury and performance converge in an exclusive collection of high-end vehicles, each designed to deliver an unparalleled driving experience. Our curated inventory is a testament to exceptional craftsmanship and innovation, while our GT4 America McLaren Artura race team subtly underscores our passion for precision engineering on the track. Discover the ultimate blend of sophistication and speed at www.blackdogperformancecars.com.