Blackdog Racing is taking its two-pronged program in SRO Motorsports to the spacious Circuit of The Americas this weekend for key early-season races.
Most important for the Blackdog team is Saturday’s three-hour race in Pirelli GT4 America. It’s only the third race of the season for the pairing of Michael Cooper and Tony Gaples, but it also is probably the biggest for the duo and the No. 33 Blackdog Cars McLaren Artura GT4.
The COTA round is the lone endurance race on the GT4 America schedule, and it pays double the amount of points with 50 going to the race-winner. A victory there can boost the Cooper/Gaples tandem well up the championship order, where they currently stand fifth in the Pro-Am class following a runner-up finish in the second of two races at Sonoma Raceway nearly a month ago.
A total of 28 cars – including 12 in the Pro-Am – are on the entry list. A year ago, Cooper and Gaples placed third in a topsy-turvy race that saw the No. 33 McLaren start second in class, fall back to ninth in class and eventually drive back through the field.
Given the extended length of the event, there are a number of additional regulations that teams must follow. For one, there is a 100-minute maximum drive-time, and drivers are not permitted to drive more than 50 minutes at a time, and double-stints are not permitted. Tire changes also can be performed during refueling by a maximum of two crew members.
As is the case at many GT4 America venues, the team has a strong record at COTA. This will be the fourth event together at COTA for the Cooper/Gaples tandem with the pair recording a GTS Sprint X podium in 2018.
Cooper has a stellar record at COTA including four wins in 2020 with Blackdog Racing. He also recorded his first victory with the Blackdog team at COTA in 2015. In addition to that, Gaples raced his way to the podium two times in the 2020 spring visit followed by another podium finish later in the season. He also set the fastest lap at COTA in the second of two GT America races during the 2023 season.
Also on the COTA schedule are the fifth and sixth rounds of Toyota GR Cup, where series rookie Liam Harrison will make his first career start at the circuit. The rookie in the No. 55 Blackdog Cars Toyota GR86 has shown promise in his first two events against a strong and deep field of competitors.
While the young driver has recorded just one top-10 finish so far, Harrison has made a habit of moving up through the field in all four rounds far – as evidenced by claiming the series’ Hard Charger award in his 2026 debut at the Arlington street circuit.
Blackdog Racing will compete at COTA on April 24-26. 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: “We saw at Sonoma how tough the competition is going to be. We will have to be perfect in every way – driving, pit stops and race strategy for this three-hour race at COTA. I have full confidence in the team that we have at Blackdog Racing. We’ve shown we can contend in these long-distance races last year. Now we just need to go out and maximize our points haul in Texas.”
TONY GAPLES , NO. 33 BLACKDOG CARS McLAREN ARTURA GT4: “I personally like these long-distance races, and I think we have what we need to contend and be successful. I know the team will be fully prepared and I couldn’t ask for a better teammate than Michael. Executing as a team and as drivers can go a long way in these races. We’ve seen what we’re capable of the last two years. I’m ready for us to break through.”
LIAM HARRISON, NO. 55 BLACKDOG CARS TOYOTA GR86: “Racing at COTA is something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. I went through the Skip Barber Racing School there but competing there in a series like GR Cup is something I’m really excited about. It’s a big deal to race on the same track as Formula One and some of the other top series in the world. The track provides drivers with a strong test and a mix of technical and high-speed sections. I can’t wait to get out there for a full race for the first time.”
RAY SORENSON, TEAM MANAGER, BLACKDOG RACING: “There are a couple of weekends that we’ve had circled as a team, and COTA is definitely one of those. We know how unpredictable the three-hour GT4 America race can be. From a team side, I think we have to be as close to perfect as possible. We have the car and the people to do the job. As long as we go out and do what we know we’re capable of doing, we should be in really good shape.”
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@blackdogpeedshop.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.blackdogcars.com.