In anticipation of the Pirelli World Challenge’s SprintX championship kicking off this weekend at Virginia International Raceway, CRP Racing has signed Canadian racer Daniel Morad to join Ryan Dalziel in the No. 2 Devilbiss Mercedes AMG GT3. As a five race championship within the existing 2017 calendar, the SprintX format will expand both races in the events from 50 minutes to 60 minutes, requiring each driver to complete no more than 35 minutes of racing.
While only 27 years old, Morad’s 10 year racing resume boats strong results. In 2007, the Toronto native won the Formula BMW USA Championship, setting a record of six race wins in one championship. In 2015, Morad’s career in sports car racing began to blossom when he finished second in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada with nine podiums in ten races. The following year, he returned to the series to clinch the championship, earning four wins and ten podiums in twelve races. Morad closed out the 2016 race season with another championship title, winning the inaugural season of the IMSA Porsche GT3 North American Cup. His 2017 race season got off to the best kind of start, with a GTD class win at the Rolex 24 Hours At Daytona with Alegra Motorsports. Morad’s first laps in the No. 2 Mercedes AMG GT3 will occur on Wednesday at the promoter test day at Virginia International Raceway.
“I am really happy to join CRP for the 2017 SprintX Championship,” said Morad. “There were a lot of top drivers in the mix for the seat so it is a real honor to have been chosen to pursue this exciting challenge. The past 12 months have been career changing, and I really appreciate the opportunity from Nick Short and the whole team.”
Morad will join full time driver Ryan Dalziel in the No. 2 Mercedes AMG GT3, who has already completed three races with the team. Dalziel holds two second place finishes at the 3.27 mile, 17 turn road course in Alton, Virginia.
“I’m really looking forward to Virginia International Raceway,” said Dalziel. “I haven’t been there since the resurfacing, but we’ve heard it is perfect now. I am excited about the first SprintX race of this season, and hoping Daniel and I can get a win.”
The two will be up against strong competition in the already highly competitive series, as the SprintX events have attracted professional drivers from around the world.
Competitors will have just under four and a half hours of testing and practice before Saturday’s qualifying session. The current driver rankings hold Dalziel at a Gold, and Morad as a Silver, meaning their Pro/Pro lineup will not require a minimum amount of time spent in pit lane during the mandatory pit stop. Both drivers will have to complete a minimum of 25 minutes of racing, but no more than 35 minutes.
