Flying Lizard Withdraws; AF Corse Absent from Sebring

Photo: Bob Chapman/Autosport Image

A total of 15 cars are set for this weekend’s fifth and sixth rounds of the GT World Challenge America powered by AWS season at Sebring International Raceway, with several teams not present.

Both AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3s as well as the No. 8 Flying Lizard Motorsports BMW M4 GT3 Evo will not make the trip to central Florida, resulting in a reduced field that’s expected only for the Sebring round.

The two AF Corse entries, which have been entered in the Pro-Am and Am classes this year, are expected to return for the next event at Virginia International Raceway in July, although Flying Lizard confirmed the withdrawal of its entry for the remainder of the season in both GTWC America and GT America powered by AWS.

“The decision follows Elias Sabo’s need to focus on critical business commitments,” the statement provided to Sportscar365 read.

“While stepping back mid-season is never ideal, we remain dedicated to our motorsport programs and look forward to returning to SRO America GT3 competition with renewed energy in the near future.”

Sabo pulled out of Sunday’s races at the most recent round at Circuit of The Americas due to business commitments.

The other change to the entry list since COTA is with the No. 6 Dollahite Racing Ford Mustang GT3, which returns to the Pro-Am class with Anthony Lazzaro replaced by Stefano Gattuso.

Stefano Gattuso competes with fellow Mustang GT3 team Proton Competition in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Following their class victory in Race 2 at COTA, JMF Motorsports’ Michai Stephens and Mikael Grenier have retaken the lead of the Pro class standings, three points ahead of Connor De Phillippi and Kenton Koch of Random Vandals Racing.

Philip Ellis and Jeff Burton, meanwhile, have closed the gap to Pro-Am points leaders Justin Rothberg and Robby Foley following their overall triumph at COTA, with only six points separating the Turner Motorsport and Regulator Racing teams.

Track activity kicks off on Thursday with a pair of test sessions for GTWC America competitors, followed by two practice sessions on Friday and qualifying on Saturday morning.

Race 1 takes the green flag Saturday at 3 p.m. EST, with Race 2 on tap for Sunday at 1:45 p.m. EST, both which will be streamed live on SRO’s GT World YouTube and Twitch channels, as well as on MAVTV.