AUSTIN, Texas (March 14, 2023) – The new CrowdStrike Racing by APR (Algarve Pro Racing) program aims to continue its strong initial season in the LMP2 class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship this weekend, competing in the 12 Hours of Sebring.
The CrowdStrike Racing by APR team of George Kurtz, Ben Hanley and newcomer Nolan Siegel will compete in the No. 04 CrowdStrike/Accel ORECA 07-Gibson prototype coupe. Sebring will be CrowdStrike Racing by APR’s second race towards the Michelin Endurance Cup, a unique four-race competition encompassing the marquee endurance races on the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship schedule.
The CrowdStrike/APR program is coming off a runner-up finish in the Rolex 24 At Daytona to start the IMSA season with Kurtz, Hanley, Matt McMurry and Esteban Gutiérrez teaming together. It was a strong debut for the CrowdStrike Racing/APR alliance, which led the race multiple times with each of the four drivers taking turns out front.
Turning the page to Sebring, there is ample reason for those who follow CrowdStrike Racing by APR to be excited by the prospect of success at the 12 Hours.
For starters, Kurtz was part of the LMP3-winning lineup in the 2021 Sebring 12 Hours, his first victory in IMSA competition. This will be his third start in IMSA at Sebring as he looks to continue his string of top-five class finishes.
This will be Hanley’s first IMSA at Sebring competition. Previously, he was part of the LMP1 battle at the FIA World Endurance Championship’s 1,000 Miles of Sebring in 2019. He also is a past winner of the Rolex 24 in P2.
Siegel will also be competing for the first time at Sebring, having recently finished second in the LMP3 class at January’s Rolex 24 to go along with a runner-up finish to close 2022 at Petit Le Mans.
The trio will also contest the final three long-distance races on the WeatherTech schedule: Sebring, the Sahlen’s Six Hours at The Glen and the 10-hour Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
In addition to winning the 12 Hours in the LMP2 class, the CrowdStrike Racing by APR team is keen to take home the CrowdStrike Endurance, Teamwork, Speed award for the Sebring round. The honor is part of CrowdStrike’s official partnership with IMSA, now in its second year. As presenting sponsor of the contest at Sebring and the other Michelin Endurance Cup rounds, CrowdStrike will honor the team in each of the five IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship classes that demonstrates the unique qualities needed to be successful – both on the racetrack in the pitlane:
- Endurance: Running at the finish of the race;
- Teamwork: The most efficient time on pitlane, putting a premium on efforts by the driver and crew;
- Speed: A car’s best qualifying time and fastest race lap.
The philosophies within the Endurance, Teamwork and Speed Award match CrowdStrike’s approach as a global leader and provider of cybersecurity solutions. In racing, as in cybersecurity, success comes from delivering superior performance as a team, having a relentless focus on execution, and understanding that the clock doesn’t lie — speed matters.
CrowdStrike Racing by APR is also set to compete in the historic 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. Kurtz, APR regular James Allen and Colin Braun – Kurtz’s teammate in Fanatec GT World Challenge America – will compete in the race as part of the LMP2 field. It will mark the first Le Mans for Kurtz and the CrowdStrike Racing brand, which will be part of APR’s entry in the June 10-11 French classic.
The Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring is scheduled for 10:10 a.m. ET on Saturday, March 18. The race will air on USA Network from 4:30-10:30 p.m. ET with full streaming coverage on Peacock at 10:05 a.m. ET. IMSA Radio will air all on-track sessions beginning at IMSA.com along with Sirius 216, XM 207, SiriusXM Online 992 and 100.9 FM at the circuit.