Csm Jan2024 Mpc Drivers 01092024

Czabok-Simpson Motorsport Names Trio of Drivers for Debut

Carazo, Lastochkin and Scully Will Race in the Team’s Porsche Caymans

Czabok-Simpson Motorsport are pleased to announce that Sebastian Carazo, Nikita Lastochkin and Gordon Scully will join the team’s 2024 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge program. The trio builds the lineup for the new team’s full-season entry in the No. 67 Czabok-Simpson Motorsport Porsche Cayman RS GT4 Clubsport in the Grand Sport (GS) class.

 

The 10-race Michelin Pilot Challenge schedule kicks off on Jan. 26 with the BMW M Endurance Challenge, a four-hour race at Daytona International Speedway. It’s preceded by the official three-day Roar Before the Rolex 24 test session from Jan. 19-21.

 

Sebastian Carazo, 24. The Puerto Rican already has an impressive track record under his belt. The 2019 Gold class champion in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA and 2022 ProAm class champion (with co-driver Bryan Ortiz) in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Grand Finals, finished an impressive second in the 2023 VP Racing SportsCar Challenge Championship GSX class, featuring two race wins and five more podiums which kept him in contention for the GSX championship all the way to the final race at Road Atlanta.

 

“I can’t wait to get the season started,” Carazo said. “I am looking forward to being able to work alongside Stephen, Matthias and the entire team at CSM for their first season in the Michelin Pilot Challenge. I am confident in what we can accomplish this year”.

 

Nikita Lastochkin, 33, moved to the United States at the age of 16 and now calls Los Angeles home. With a background mainly in U.S. open-wheel racing, 2024 will be his transition into IMSA sports car racing. He began racing in 2013 with the Skip Barber Racing School, placing second in the Winter Championship followed by the 2014 Summer Racing Series, where he placed third in the championship. In 2014, Nikita went on to compete in the Pacific Region F1600 Championship Series, claiming two wins. He made the move into the Road to Indy in 2015, competing in the U.S. F2000 Championship, Pro Mazda Championship, Indy Pro 2000 Championship and finally in 2021, in Indy Lights (now called Indy NXT).

 

“I am thrilled to join CSM and begin a new chapter in my career. I am looking forward to building on my experience and learning from the team,” Lastochkin said.

 

“Having Stephen as one of the team owners is an amazing opportunity. Being an accomplished racer himself, he can help with my transition from open-wheel world to GT style racing. I look forward to learning all the new things and challenges that come with racing sports cars.

 

“The team will be running the Porsche GT4 RS Clubsport, which is a brand I have a lot of history with. Although I have yet to race in a Porsche, I have been working as a driver coach at the Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles for over five years. Having plenty of seat time in every model the brand makes, I always appreciated how nimble and confidence-inspiring the mid-engine 718 platform is. I can’t wait to see what the car is capable of in a proper race trim.”

 

 

Gordon Scully, 24, from Chicago, is also making his transition into sports car racing in 2024 from single-seater, U.S. open-wheel racing. A graduate of the Lucas Oil School of Racing and the Formula Race Promotions F1600 programs, he recently competed in the 2023 USF2000 Championship, finishing 15th in the highly competitive 34-car field, but sees his future now in the IMSA series.

 

“I believe this to be the best next move for my future and success in racing,” Scully said. “Czabok-Simpson Motorsport will provide the best opportunity to fight for the championship in 2024 and I am supremely confident in the team’s ability to succeed in the coming year. My recent partnership with the Les Turner ALS Foundation (lesturnerals.org) will make this exciting season fulfilling off the track as we raise money and awareness to find a cure for ALS. I am excited to step into a new car, help Czabok-Simpson Motorsport to win in their first year of competition and fight to find a cure for ALS”.

 

Stephen Simpson, Czabok-Simpson Motorsport team co-owner, said, “Very excited to have Sebastian, Nikita and Gordon join us in our debut 2024 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge campaign, and without question this lineup represents some good experience and offers plenty of potential for our maiden season in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge championship.”

 

Czabok-Simpson Motorsport team co-owner and managing partner Matthias Czabok confirmed that the team has taken delivery of a second car last week. It is being prepped for the start of the season at the CSM shop in Brownsburg, Indiana.

 

“We also have further plans to enter a second Porsche Cayman RS GT4 Clubsport at selected events of the 2024 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, which will be announced at a later date,” Czabok said.