IMSA Diverse Driver Development scholarship winner Courtney Crone is set to contest the 2024 Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America championship with World Speed team, following a double campaign in LMP3 in 2023.
Californian racer Courtney Crone is set to make her debut in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North American championship in 2024, having joined the ranks of World Speed team - therefore moving from LMP3 to GT competitions.
Crone was named as one of the four women included in the IMSA Diverse Driver Development program, aimed at promoting diversity in the premier North American Sports Car championship. She emerged as the winner of the scholarship last year, which granted her funds to enter the inaugural edition of the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge and is extended into 2024 for another racing program on the IMSA platform.
Crone contested a double campaign in LMP3 machinery in 2023, combining a program in IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge as well as in the Prototype Cup Germany - in her first international effort. She had a strong season in both championships, starting with a podium finish in Daytona in the IMSA-sanctioned series. Courtney was back on the podium at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Lime Rock, VIRginia International Raceway and twice at the Road Atlanta season finale, where she also collected a second place which was her personal best of the year. The driver of the #99 Forty7 Motorsports Duqueine eventually finished fourth in the championship standings.
In the German-based series, Crone partnered with Jacob Erlbacher at the wheel of the #70 Ginetta G61 operated by Gebhardt Motorsport; she learned the car and the tracks visited during the first half of the season, making progress at each round: she just missed out on a top ten at Oschersleben, then secured two strong finishes at Zandvoort, where she was eighth and tenth in a highly competitive field. While she missed the Norisring round due to a IMSA clash, she returned for the Assen round - which will see Gebhardt switching to the Duqueine prototype. Crone secured fourth, following a superb step forward.
Prior to her LMP3 outings from 2021 onwards, Crone had also collected experience in speedway motorcycles, dirt and pavement USAC Midget and Sprint Cars, various junior formula cars as well as prototypes. She entered the W Series selections both in 2018 and late 2019, when she tested the Formula Regional machine in Spain. Among her accomplishments is the 2018 title in the Formula Car Challenge National Championship.
The move to Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America is therefore another important step in the career of the young Californian, who will continue to race on the IMSA package.
“I am beyond excited to join World Speed Motorsports and Graham Prewett Inc for the 2024 Lamborghini Super Trofeo season", she commented.
"This jump to Lamborghini Super Trofeo will mark a significant move in my career, and I am excited to see where this journey with sports cars takes me. I believe we will have a very strong lineup and the confidence that we will deliver good results this year."
Her teammate and class have not yet been revealed.
"We're particularly excited to have secured Courtney's talent, as she joins us in the thrilling chase for race wins and the title" - said GPI President Sean Prewett. "I've had the pleasure of watching Courtney since her early days with World Speed. Witnessing her talent and dedication firsthand convinced me that GPI would be the perfect pit stop for the next leg of her career. I can't wait to see her behind the wheel, pushing the limits and bringing home those podium finishes.”
The North American series of the 2024 Lamborghini one make championship will host its first race meeting of the season at Sebring International Raceway on March 13-15. Five events are scheduled, with a calendar that includes iconic racing venues such as WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Watkins Glen, Circuit of the Americas and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.