COMPASS RACING LAUNCHES IMSA PROGRAM WITH KINGSLEY AND FARNBACHER

Team debuts Acura NSX GT3 Evo WeatherTech Sprint Cup effort for its 18th-consecutive IMSA season

VISTA, CA — One of the longest-running teams in the IMSA paddock announced its 2021 WeatherTech Sprint Cup program today. Compass Racing’s new No. 76 Richard Mille Acura NSX GT3 will debut at Mid-Ohio for the first round of the series, May 14th to 16th, with Jeff Kingsley and Mario Farnbacher signed for driving duties.

“We’re excited not only to return to GTD competition and extend our relationship with Honda Performance Development and Acura, but to welcome two top-level drivers to the program,” enthused Team Owner Jill Beck. “The platform has proven to be championship-caliber over the past few seasons, and we’re looking forward to continuing that in IMSA’s Sprint Cup.”

Kingsley is the 2020 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge champion. He also drove with Compass Racing last season, subbing for Corey Fergus and impressing with a strong P4 qualifying at Charlotte in adverse conditions. “Jeff jumped in our GTD car and was turn-key, and so we’ve worked over the off-season to have him race with us again,” continued Beck. "Having the opportunity to pair him with Mario gives us what we feel is one of the stronger Sprint Cup driver line-ups.”

Farnbacher comes to the team as two-time IMSA champion, having driven the NSX GT3 with Meyer Shank Racing for the past three seasons, and having competed in the WeatherTech series since 2014.
The addition of the NSX to the Compass Racing's 2021 programs extends a very successful relationship with Honda Performance Development (HPD), which produced has nine Manufacturer Championships, six Driver and Team Championships, and three Rookie of the Year trophies from 2006 through 2015.

“We’re truly thrilled to add another Richard Mille Acura NSX GT3 Evo to our 2021 programs,” said Team Principal Karl Thomson. “We’re pleased to be working with two great drivers, and to continue with the folks at HPD and our other commercial partners: Richard Mille, MOTUL, Ebullition Brew Works and AERO Advanced Paint Technology.”

“The two races I did with Compass last year paved the way for this opportunity, and I’m excited to get the season under way in Ohio,” remarked Kingsley. “Mid-Ohio is close to the Honda factory that builds the NSX, and with the track set to welcome at least 20,000 fans we’ll be racing to bring the staff there a great results at their home track!”

Farnbacher was similarly excited. “I’m proud to once again represent HPD as a Factory Driver. I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel of an NSX GT3 Evo, and to work with my new team and team-mate to bring more podiums and wins for Acura."The No. 76 livery will pay tribute to visually-impaired philanthropic artist and long-time Compass collaborator Jeff Hanson, who passed away suddenly last December at the age of 27 from neurofibromatosis, the genetic disorder that took his vision 15 years prior. Compass will 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. Donations can be made here: http://racedayfoundation.org/jeffhanson

The 2021 IMSA Sprint Cup season begins May 14th at Mid-Ohio. The race will be broadcast on NBC Sports.

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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 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.