COMPASS RACING ADDS SRO GT WORLD CHALLENGE PROGRAM WITH ACURA NSX GT3

Multiple-championship-winning team to field new effort with Rodrigo Sales and Matt McMurry

VISTA, CA — Long-time SRO competitors Compass Racing enter new territory with the debut of an Acura NSX GT3 Evo for the 2021 season of SRO GT World Challenge America. Drivers Rodrigo Sales and Matt McMurry have been tapped as pilots for the seven-weekend championship, which features two 90-minute races each weekend, with the exception of the 8-hour finale at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
 

The move marks the first time Compass Racing will race in the top tier of the GT-based championship, after having won in GT4 America, TCR and Touring Car classes. The addition of the NSX to the team’s 2021 programs rekindles a very successful relationship with Honda Performance Development (HPD), which produced nine Manufacturer Championships, six Driver and Team Championships, and three Rookie of the Year trophies from 2006 through 2015.

“We’re truly thrilled to introduce the No. 77 Acura NSX GT3 Evo as the newest platform Compass Racing competes with,” enthused Team Owner Jill Beck. “We’re equally excited to enter SRO’s GT World Challenge for the first time, with two tremendous drivers. It’s an exciting new chapter for our team, and we are so pleased to once again be working with the wonderful people at HPD."Sales, who races under both Mexican and American flags, is no stranger to the team, having been vice-champion in IMSA’s inaugural TCR championship in 2018, whilst American McMurry won the GTD title in an NSX GT3 last year and has been named an HPD Junior Driver. “The are championship-caliber talents, and we’re excited to get the season under way at Sonoma,” noted Beck.

“I’m pleased to return to race with Compass in their new Acura, which is a proven, competitive platform” said Sales. “We had a great run together in 2018, and I’m looking forward to being back in the SRO paddock again!”McMurry was equally effusive. “After a tremendous season last year with the NSX, I could not be happier to make my start as a new HPD Junior Driver with Compass Racing. It’s a new platform to the team, but they have great pedigree in World Challenge and I hope to bring my knowledge of the car to help get us wins and be in the hunt for the championship."

The No. 77 livery will pay tribute to visually-impaired philanthropic artist and long-time Compass collaborator Jeff Hanson, who suddenly passed away last December at the age of 27 from neurofibromatosis, the genetic disorder that took his vision 15 years prior. Compass plans to honor Jeff's legacy throughout the 2021 season, with its' NSX livery featuring Jeff’s vibrantly hued painting “Light Show at the Louvre”. The team has established a fundraising campaign in memory of Jeff, via their partner non-profit the Race Day Foundation in hopes of helping to reach Jeff's goal of raising $10 million for charity by his 30th birthday in 2023. Dontations can be made here: http://racedayfoundation.org/jeffhanson“We ran cars featuring Jeff’s artwork throughout the 2014, 2015 and 2016 seasons with great success, and it warms my heart to see his work return on our new Acura NSX GT3,” remarked Beck.

The 2021 GT World Challenge America season begins March 4th at Sonoma Raceway. Live streaming, news updates and live timing are available at https://www.gt-world-challenge-america.com.

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About Compass Racing

Compass Racing is a professional motorsports operation that competes in top-level sportscar series in North America. Based in San Diego, California, the multiple championship-winning team has fielded cars in IMSA's WeatherTech Championship, the Michelin Pilot Challenge, SRO GT World Challenge America, GT Celebration and Canadian Touring Car. The squad is one of the continent’s longest-running teams, having competed at the pro level continually since January 2004.

About Jeff Hanson

Jeff Hanson (1993-2020) was an award-winning, philanthropic artist with a mission to change the world through art. Visually impaired since childhood from neurofibromatosis (NF) and an optic chiasm brain tumor (which he playfully named CLOD), Jeff’s acrylic-on-canvas works employ bold color and heavily sculptured texture to create an unmistakable signature style. A book written by his father, Hal Hanson, MD about the lessons learned from Jeff’s triumphs through adversity – Lessons From CLOD – is available at amazon.com. For more information about the life and art of Jeff Hanson, visit http://jeffhansonart.com 

About Honda Performance Development

Honda Performance Development, Inc., (HPD) has a rich heritage creating, manufacturing, and supporting Honda Racing and Acura Motorsports customers since 1993.  From pinnacle racing in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and IMSA Sports Cars to commercial racing programs, HPD powers the dreams of professional and amateur racers. HPD is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. and leads all of Honda and Acura’s high-performance racing programs in North America.  HPD specializes in the design and development of race engines, chassis and performance parts, as well as technical/race support across a wide palette of racing programs that make Honda racing products available to amateur and professional racers alike, from karting and Quarter Midgets to the highest levels of sportscar and open-wheel racing: https://hpd.honda.com.

About Richard Mille

The first watch to carry Richard Mille’s name, the RM 001 Tourbillon, launched the millennium: the year was 2001, and the model marked the beginning of a new era in watchmaking. Today, the collection points resolutely towards the future, while holding steadfast to the time-honored traditions of fine watchmaking. Richard Mille endeavored to apply the techniques and materials found in the most innovative sectors such as in the domains of F1 racing car development and the aerospace industry to watchmaking, with the goal of creating an extreme timepiece, without compromise, without gimmicks. http://richardmille.com

About Ebullition Brew Works

Ebullition Brew Works is at the crest of Southern California’s craft brewery wave. With more breweries on tap than any other county, rising to the top requires the blending of quality ingredients, expertise and experience. Voted Best North County Brewery by San Diego Magazine in 2018, Ebullition opened its Gastro-lounge in Bressi Ranch to rave reviews in 2020, joining its industrial-chic brewery in Vista as one of the “must-visit” locations in San Diego. For details visit http://ebullitionbrew.com.

About AERO™ Advanced Paint Technology

AERO Advanced Paint Technology™ is an environmentally sustainable paint applique that eliminates the need for harmful sprayers. AERO was initially designed for The Boeing Company as a lightweight paint film technology for the 787 Dreamliner. As such, the technology provides significant performance gains in weight reduction while enabling the finish to be a fully strippable system. AERO has proven to be successful in the motorsports industry due to the ease of install, significant weight savings, and enhanced durability. For details visit http://rethinkpaint.com.

About The Race Day Foundation 

The Race Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) for-good foundation with an unwavering commitment to offer powerful experiential activities that spark inspiration and kindle hope. Whether a young girl interested in pursuing a path in the male-dominated field of motorsport or a child battling a life-changing medical condition, Race Day experiences are uniquely empowering. Learn more at http://racedayfoundation.org.