DXDT Racing kicks off the 2024 Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS campaign at Sonoma Raceway this weekend with familiar faces behind the wheel.
Mercedes-AMG Factory Driver Philip Ellis will be joining the team for the entire season in the No. 91 Burton Lumber Mercedes-AMG GT3, expanding on the endurance role he had in last year’s Indianapolis 8 Hour presented by AWS. With wins at the Nurburgring 24, Spa 24, and Daytona 24 Hour races, the Swiss driver has proven his ability at the top levels of GT3 racing. That trend has continued in 2024, with Ellis winning the prestigious Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring, which make up two legs of the Triple Crown of endurance racing.
Ellis will be joined in his quest for the Pro-Am Cup by American Jeff Burton, who is returning to the team for his second season. After a rookie season that saw him capture four top-five results in Pro-Am Cup – highlighted by a runner-up performance at Road America – Burton is hungry for more success in 2024.
“I’m really excited to have Philip join our team,” said Team Principal David Askew. “He’s had so much success with the car as a factory driver. I am sort of ‘rebooting’ our program, and part of that is adding personnel from other successful AMG efforts to see what we can learn. We are working hard, and we expect to see results on the track this season.”
On the other side of the garage, lineup consistency is key for the No. 08 Qelo Mercedes-AMG GT3 piloted by Bryan Sellers and Scott Smithson, who both return for a third season with the team. After a season mired by bad luck, Sellers and Smithson are ready to come good on the promising pace they showed in Pro-Am Cup en route to four top-five results and a second-place finish at New Orleans Motorsports Park last April. The opening round in Sonoma will also be the pair’s final round in the Mercedes-AMG GT3, with the duo debuting the Corvette Z06 GT3.R in worldwide SRO competition at the next round in Sebring.
You can keep up with all the action this weekend at Sonoma Raceway, with practice starting on Friday, April 5th, followed by Race 1 on the 6th and Race 2 to conclude the weekend on the 7th. For more updates, follow DXDT Racing’s social media channels and watch along for free on GT World Challenge’s YouTube channel, which can be found at www.youtube.com/GTWorld.
From the Drivers
Philip Ellis, No. 91: “I‘m very excited to join the team after having been with them in Indianapolis last year for the first time. We have a great group of people in the team and I‘m sure we can have some great success with our potential. I can’t wait to get to work and take this new challenge head on.”
Jeff Burton, No. 91: “Philip Ellis has been a huge benefit not just to me, but the entire DXDT Racing team. His knowledge and his driver's ability has been very helpful and Phil and I have high expectations on doing well. I know the team have worked hard to prepare a fast car and it will be up to us to execute and earn good results. I can’t wait for this season to start!”
Bryan Sellers, No. 08: “I’m really looking forward to the first event of the season this weekend. We have had some really good offseason testing, and I feel like we are in a good place for this season. I also cannot wait to drive the new repaved surface of Sonoma!”
Scott Smithson, No. 08: “I’m excited to get back to racing again. Bryan and I have high hopes this season and are ready to put it together. Sonoma is a tough track for me personally, but I’m ready to turn that around. The team has been working hard in the off season and I think all the pieces are place to win. Let’s go 2024!”