HOLTON DOMINATES AT LONG BEACH IN COMPASS RACING MCLAREN
McLaren Factory driver wins Pirelli World Challenge GT4 Invitational with a Champion’s drive
LONG BEACH, CA — This past weekend, newly-named factory driver Paul Holton took a dominant win in Compass Racing's No. 78 McLaren 570S in Pirelli World Challenge’s inaugural GT4 Invitational at the Grand Prix of Long Beach.
Not only did he win the race, he led every session, being first in practice, taking pole in qualifying, crushing the existing track record, and led flag-to-flag throughout the 50-minute sprint. “Paul rolled in to Long Beach calm, collected and on a mission,” remarked Team Principal Karl Thomson. “With very little track time on a weekend like this, it’s about maximizing every lap, and he put his head down and did just that.”
Holton was equally pleased. “Ray (Lee) and the Compass guys gave me a perfect car, right off the trailer. We hoped the Long Beach circuit would suit our McLaren, and it certainly did! I had a hard time keeping the other top guys (Spencer Pumpelly and Harry Gottsacker) behind me, but we all raced hard, clean and fair. It’s so great to take the win in my first time here and to deliver for the team's sponsors.
”Indeed, local tech companies were an integral part of the program. Rubrik, Cloudian and ProMark all brought corporate guests to the event and were treated to a tech talk, paddock tour and in-race hospitality. “We’re so proud to have been part of this historic event, and to have been part of Compass Racing’s first Long Beach win,” enthused Rubrik’s Andrew Novich. “All of our guests were watching and cheering for the McLaren as it crossed the line.
”Regular sponsors McLaren Toronto, Pfaff Automotive and AERO Advanced Paint Technology were also well-represented, whilst the team’s official charity, The Race Day Foundation, welcomed children and their families on all three days of the event. “Long Beach is really the kick-off to our year,” noted Race Day’s Executive Director Jill Beck. “We had a number of local kids, all dealing with life-changing illness, out to the track for a special day away from their normal daily routine for a paddock tour. We’re grateful to have so many teams who open their garages to us!”
Amidst the champagne celebrations, there’s not a lot of time for the Toronto-based Compass Racing team until they depart for the next round of the Pirelli World Challenge, at Virginia International Raceway April 27th to 29th. Holton will return to his normal PWC role with regular co-driver Ray Mason for the second Sprint-X weekend with JT Coupal back for rounds three and four of the Touring Car season. The Long Beach race will be broadcast, tape-delayed on CBS Sports.
