Cooper, Gaples hoping to rebound at America’s toughest road course
Blackdog Racing doesn’t have to wait long to find redemption as its No. 33 McLaren Artura GT4 returns to action this weekend at Sebring International Raceway for the fourth and fifth rounds of Pirelli GT4 America.
Michael Cooper and Tony Gaples will team for a pair of one-hour races around the bumpy and unpredictable circuit at Sebring. The 17-turn, 3.74-mile track has tested sports car racing’s best for more than 70 years and will do so again this Friday through Sunday.
The Blackdog team has enjoyed a strong run at Sebring in the last four years. Cooper and Gaples were third and second, respectively, in the pair of GT4 America races last year in the McLaren. Gaples won in both 2024 (GT4 America) and 2023 (GT America). In addition, Cooper won at Sebring in a McLaren GT4 on the 12 Hours weekend.
Blackdog Racing is eager to rebound from a tough event at Circuit of The Americas only a few days ago. The team was forced to retire early from the double-points event after the McLaren was hit as Gaples came out of the pitlane. Two other cars were fighting for position and turned down on the Artura GT4 at the apex of the first corner.
Of note, Sebring will be the site of a career milestone for Gaples. With starts in both GT4 America races, he will tie James Sofronas for the most career starts in SRO/World Challenge competition at 272, based on official series records.
Blackdog’s Toyota GR Cup entry of Liam Harrison is off this weekend and will return at Road Atlanta in June.
Blackdog Racing’s first race of the Pirelli GT4 America weekend is scheduled for 5:40 p.m. ET on Friday with Race Two at 12:45 p.m. ET on Saturday. All races will stream live on SRO Motorsports’ GT World YouTube channel.
MICHAEL COOPER, NO. 33 BLACKDOG CARS McLAREN ARTURA GT4: “It’s hard to remember if our team has had a weekend like we did at COTA. I know everyone on the crew was just as disappointed as Tony and me were, but we’re moving on and looking ahead. The positive is that we’re coming to a track that I really like, and that Tony and the team like as well. Our goal for the rest of the year is to win as many races as we can. That’s the only way we can get back in the championship. If there’s any group that can do it, it’s this one.”
TONY GAPLES , NO. 33 BLACKDOG CARS McLAREN ARTURA GT4: “After a tough weekend at COTA, I think we’re all glad to get back to the track so soon. Those results were disappointing but the good thing is that the team performed well and was on top of things before the collision. We’ll carry that on at Sebring, which is a place where I’ve always enjoyed racing. It’s a track that demands so much out of the car and the driver. This is the type of challenge I like so hopefully we can get back on the right track.”
RAY SORENSON, TEAM MANAGER, BLACKDOG RACING: “There’s no better way to move from a rough weekend like COTA than getting right back to it. Sebring offers us the opportunity to rebound quickly. It’s a track where we have a lot of experience both in testing and competition. The rest of the season will be an uphill climb but this is a good place to start.”
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 Performance Cars
At Blackdog Performance 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.