Mark Motors Racing & Kelly Moss Racing are pleased to announce Roman De Angelis as their driver for the 2019 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Yokohama and Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama.
The 18-year-old Canadian race car driver is no stranger to the track: it’s his third year in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge series and his second competing in the Platinum class. In 2016, De Angelis was the youngest driver in the GT3 Cup Challenge. Since then, he’s made his mark on the track with consistent impressive results.
Roman’s 2018 race season started out with a massive, career highlight win at Daytona in the IMSA Prototype Challenge Roar Before the Rolex 24, driving the No. Ligier JS P3 for Ansa Motorsports.
De Angelis has not had much of an off season since and has competed and won in the inaugural 4 hour Michelin IMSA Sportscar Encore at Sebring IMC prototype challenge endurance race in Sebring with team Ansa Motorsport. This past January, Roman had the opportunity to fulfill a lifetime dream and compete in the 24 Hours of Daytona representing Canada with the #88 WRT/Team Audi Canada R8 finishing 3rd overall in their class.
“It’s not been the most relaxing off season for me, however I have been so lucky to compete in both the Sebring events as well as Daytona. I cannot explain what a feeling it was for me to live out this dream of mine and be given such an amazing opportunity” says De Angelis. “In between races I have been training very hard for this upcoming season and feel very energized and ready to get back behind the wheel of my GT3.”
This season De Angelis will be pulling double duty by running both sides of the border in both the Canadian and USA series with Mark Motors Racing and Kelly-Moss Road and Race.
“Being surrounded by two great teams in Mark Motors and Kelly- Moss is a privilege for me and I can’t thank both enough for their faith in my ability as a driver.”
While racing for Kelly Moss in the USA Challenge, De Angelis will be representing “Racing for Children’s” sponsored by Medical Properties Trust to benefit Children’s of Alabama, one of the leading pediatric medical centers in the U.S., and its medical research efforts to treat and cure every form of childhood cancer. Roman’s “Racing for Children’s” car carries colorful handprints of actual young cancer patients at Children’s and this inspiring cause is very important to Roman and the team. (www.racingforchildrens.org)
“We at Kelly-Moss Road and Race are very pleased to continue our support of Roman DeAngelis and his quest for the IMSA GT3 Cup Platinum Championship in 2019,” said Jeff Stone, Sr. of Kelly-Moss Road & Race. “Roman has proven himself to be an outstanding young man and a fierce competitor in all series he has been involved in. Our relationship continues to grow with Roman and I feel confident his career is on a dynamic path of success.”
“With the support of Medical Properties Trust and Racing for Children’s, we look forward to a fantastic season of racing and bringing awareness of our cause to fight childhood cancer and blood disorders that affect so many children. We are humbled and thrilled to be involved in such a fantastic cause and to have the opportunity to work with Children’s of Alabama, one of the leading pediatric centers of the United States which treats patients from across the US and abroad,” Stone added. “Our roll out of the new car with Roman at Children’s of Alabama yesterday here in Birmingham was tremendously uplifting for all involved and we so look forward to this every year.”
“We also look forward to a very special annual charity fundraiser dinner to benefit Children’s of Alabama that will take place this Friday at the Barber Museum at 6:30 PM.,” he said. “This is a fantastic event that is inspirational to all who attend each year, and we encourage you to participate if you are able to and support such a wonderful cause. To join us Friday evening, go to racingforchildrens.org/dinner-information and purchase a table, a seat or sponsor a handprint.”
On the northern side of the border, alongside teammate Marco Cirone, De Angelis will be continuing to compete in the Platinum Class and looking to capture the series title this season.
“This is a big year for Mark Motors Racing” said Mark Motors Group Executive Vice President Liza Mrak. “We have the pressure of coming off a winning year and of course, wanting to keep that spot in 2019. Roman is part of the winning recipe and we have full faith that he has what it takes to get us there!”
Roman De Angelis will be competing in all 6 Canadian race weekends this season as well as all 8 race weekends in the USA series, including a combined Canadian/American race weekend at Road America in August.
Roman kicks off his GT3 Cup Challenge season this weekend at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama for the first race of the USA series.
Follow Roman’s season on social:
Canadian Series
Twitter: @MarkMotors_Race
Facebook: @MarkMotorsRacing
Instagram: @MarkMotorsRacing
USA Series
Twitter: @KellyMossRacing
Facebook: @KellyMossMotorsports
Instagram: @KellyMossRoadAndRace
About Mark Motors Racing
Mark Motors has a long history of racing, dating back to the 1960’s when Louis Mrak, founder of Mark Motors Group, began working on a small Volkswagen racing team in Ottawa as a mechanic. From 1985-1988, Mark Motors sponsored driver Paul Tracy in the 944 Racing Series. The passion for racing evolved in 2011 when Mark Motors Porsche was inaugurated into the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada race series. The formation of their own race team happened in 2013. Today the Mark Motors Racing team includes Roman De Angelis (79), Marco Cirone (88), and a dedicated, hardworking crew.