Blackdog Racing update

Blackdog Racing, McLaren Reunitefor GT4 America Title Push

Cooper, Gaples set for full-season effort in No. 33 McLaren Artura GT4

LINCOLNSHIRE, Illinois (March 7, 2025) – Blackdog Racing is renewing its relationship with McLaren Automotive ahead of this year’s Pirelli GT4 America championship, which will see the team field a McLaren Artura GT4 for returning drivers Michael Cooper and Tony Gaples. The pairing will debut the No. 33 Blackdog Performance Cars McLaren at Sonoma Raceway March 26-30 for the kickoff to the 2025 Pro-Am season. This will be the first time that Cooper and Gaples will share a McLaren although the team and drivers have a past history with the brand. The Blackdog squad fielded McLaren 570 GT4s in the Pirelli GT4 Sprint championship in 2019 and 2020. Cooper recorded 15 victories with 11 in 2020 alone plus the Sprint Drivers’ championship. He was part of the winning Artura GT4 effort in the first round of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge at Daytona. Gaples found success as well with the McLaren during the 2019 and 2020 seasons with 12 podiums including five runner-up finishes. Blackdog Racing is one of the stalwarts of American GT4 racing. The team has recorded 43 GT4/GTS wins – the most in series history – along with five Drivers and Teams championships plus four Manufacturers titles. The McLaren Artura GT4 is the racing version of the Artura road car. It features all-new McLaren Carbon Fibre Lightweight Architecture (MCLA) and is powered by a twin-turbo V6 production-based engine.  Blackdog Racing will start its Pirelli GT4 America campaign at Sonoma Raceway from March 26-30. MICHAEL COOPER, NO. 33 BLACKDOG PERFORMANCE CARS McLAREN ARTURA GT4: “It’s always a great year racing with Blackdog Racing and Tony. We’ve captured a lot of race wins and multiple championships as a team. Not only am I excited to go racing with the continuity Blackdog brings to the race track, but we’re very excited to be reuniting with McLaren. It’s a manufacturer that we had a plethora of success with in the previous-gen GT4 but now in the latest GT4 Artura. I’ve already driven the car, and the new McLaren gives me largely improved but familiar feelings to its successful predecessor.”   TONY GAPLES, NO. 33 BLACKDOG PERFORMANCE CARS McLAREN ARTURA GT4: “The McLaren is obviously a brand that we have some previous history with. I’m looking forward to learning more about it from my teammate Michael with his experience in the car already this year. We felt like we needed to make a change to stay competitive in a very tough Pro-Am class of Pirelli GT4 America. The team learned a ton last year about the competitive level of the series and what it takes to be successful. I’m confident we can put those lessons to good use.” RAY SORENSON, TEAM MANAGER, BLACKDOG RACING: “Last year was a nice step for our team in a very deep championship. I don’t think anyone believes that the level of competition in Pirelli GT4 America Pro-Am will be any less this season. We’re all looking forward to seeing how quickly we can get up to speed with the McLaren. Having the experience with the previous GT4 car a few years ago should help as the crew and engineers learn this next-generation version. Michael already has race-winning experience with it so obviously it’s very competitive. We’re hoping it’s a front-running package that can help us keep Blackdog Racing at the sharp end all season.”About Blackdog RacingEver dreamed of piloting a real SRO GT race car? Blackdog offers rental and “arrive and drive” racing in addition to purpose-built cars. Email sales@blackdogspeedshop.com to discuss the best way to put you in the driver’s seat! About Blackdog Performance CarsAt Blackdog Performance Cars, luxury and performance converge in an exclusive collection of high-end vehicles, each designed to deliver an unparalleled driving experience. Our curated inventory is a testament to exceptional craftsmanship and innovation, while our GT4 America McLaren Artura race team subtly underscores our passion for precision engineering on the track. Discover the ultimate blend of sophistication and speed at www.blackdogperformancecars.com.

Blackdog Racing at a Glance

• Pirelli GT4 America/GTS Driver Championships: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2020

• Pirelli GT4 America/GTS Team Championships: 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2020

• Pirelli GT4 America/GTS Manufacturer Championships: 2013, 2017, 2019, 2020

• Pirelli GT4 America/GTS Victories: 43 – Most in class history