Apex Member News: Big Accomplishments

Breaking News!  Our very own APEX Member, Matt McMurry, reigning IMSA LMP2 Champion will make his return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Algarve Pro Racing.   McMurry’s return to 24LM will be his third attempt, which is impressive for any driver but certainly for the youngest competitor in history to have raced LeMans at the age of 16.  Now that McMurry has graduated from University, we are sure to be seeing the Arizona native on track more often.  Fun fact – McMurry also set the lap record for the Radical SR3 at APEX his first time out in the Radical and we look forward to watching him set new records as he continues to push the limits!  Be sure to tune into the 24 Hours of Le Mans race this September and cheer on our very own

APEX Member, Matt McMurry Racing LMP2 car #25

Just last month APEX Member George Kurtz took the overall and Pro/AM win at the GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS Round 4 at VIR with teammate Colin Braun.  Very fitting is that in 2019, Kurtz and Braun claimed their first GT World Challenge podium together.  To return a year later and take home the win again was impressive.  Kurtz and Braun then took fourth place at Sonoma this past weekend and are on to Road America at the end of August with team CrowdStrike in this powerful Mercedes AMG-GT3.  Some of you may have seen his GT3 turning some laps at the track, but if you missed it, don’t worry, he’ll be back for more seat time.

Crowdstrike Mercedes-AMG GT3 at APEX Motor Club Photo. Credit: Nico Bandin

Also last month, APEX Member John Lennon took home second place in the Ferrari Challenge North America series at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) in his .  This is Lennon’s first year competing in the Ferrari Challenge North America and has stayed in the top ten for all four races thus far, with two podium finishes including Indianapolis and Road Atlanta which was Lennon’s debut race.  When we talk about a tight knit community, we mean it!  Lennon’s race coach is none other than his personal longtime friend as well as APEX friend and ambassador, Johnny O’Connell, so we know he has great people helping him drive his way to first place!  Take a few minutes to listen to John’s interview, filmed right here at APEX Motor Club.

Lennon’s LMP3 at APEX Motor Club – photo credit @APEXMotorClubAZ

Just this past weekend, APEX Member, Michael McGrath, took to the track at Sonoma Raceway in the #14 GMG Racing Audi R8 LMS in the AM division.  Race 1 of the Pirelli GT4 America SprintX Race Series. McGrath took the lead but in the final minutes of the race was overtaken, with McGrath finishing 2nd in class, 13th position overall.  We want to wish McGrath the best of luck as SprintX continues on to Road America at the end of August.  Tune in to the livestream and watch your fellow member race for the podium.

APEX Member, McGrath in the #14 GMG Racing Audi R8 LMS

Our very own superstar and member, Paul Tracy, “the thrill from west hill” and NBC Sports analyst for IndyCar is the most recent driver addition to Tony Stuart/Ray Evernham’s Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) series and we are excited to cheer him on. The season’s schedule and tracks have yet to be announced, but we will be sure to share them so you all can follow along. Lucky for us, when Paul isn’t working on camera as an analyst for IndyCar, you can find him at APEX laying down impressive lap times in his Lamborhgini Super Trofeo.

Paul Tracy in his Lamborghini Super Trofeo at APEX. Photo Credit: @APEXMotorClubAZ

Don’t let these incredible drivers intimidate you, they’re passionate motorsports fans like the rest of us… just a little more practice and talent than some of us have been able to reach yet.  No matter your skill level we have professionals.  Let APEX help you learn to drive like the professionals and get you to that next level with one-on-one coaching from an APEX professional.  Stay tuned for updates, podium finishes and more from your fellow APEX members!  We hope you will join us in cheering them on and showing support as they head for the podium in each of their series.