Canadian driver James Vance has joined the Racers Edge Motorsports team in the Pirelli World Challenge series for GTS Rounds 7 & 8 at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, behind the wheel of the No 45 SIN R1 GT4.

The Toronto, Ontario, resident will partner once again with Racers Edge Motorsports at his home track on May 19-22 for his debut in the sprint sportscar racing series. Vance previously drove with the team for several races of the 2015 Continental Sports Car Challenge in the No 78 Mustang Boss 302R, completing the team’s best finish of the season in P6 at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park.

Canadian Tire Motorsports Park is a 10 turn, 2.458 mile road course located in Bowmanville, ONT, Canada. The current home of rounds 7 and 8 of the Pirelli World Challenge series, the weekend will host all classes of the series, as well as the Sprint X rounds 1 and 2, co-headlining with the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, as part of the Victoria Day Speedfest.

The unofficial kick-off to the summer season, Castrol presents the Victoria Day SpeedFest Weekend will also feature the Canadian Touring Car Championship presented by Continental Tire and the Ultra 94 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Yokohama. Canadian Tire Motorsport Park’s traditional Victoria Day Weekend fireworks display will light up the sky on Saturday evening. Tickets and more information are available here.

The World Challenge GTS series is on track Thursday, May 19 for testing, and practice Friday, May 20, at 8am. With qualifying at 11:30 am Friday, race #1 will go green at 10:20am Saturday morning, and race #2 on Sunday at 10:15am; both races are 50 minutes in length. Both races will be streamed live at streamed live, with live timing available.

Racers Edge Motorsports is coming off a winning weekend at Barber Motorsports Park with top five qualifying spots for both cars, and P1 finishes in both races for the No 45 SIN R1 GT4 driven by Jade Buford. The No 54, piloted by Scott Heckert, finished in the top 5 each race of the event. Vance will be co-driving the No 45 with Chris Beaufait, and Heckert will return in the No 54.

“James was one of our early test drivers in the SIN R1 GT4, so he’s already familiar with the cars and a part of our team”, said team owner and manager Jon Mirachi.

Vance was the first driver to test the SIN R1 car on North American soil with Racers Edge at Roebling Road in February. The car performed beyond the team’s expectations, and Vance had nothing but praise after his time behind the wheel.

“I did all of initial testing on the SIN 1 GT4 and I have nothing but good things to say about it. Obviously, I’ve had my fair share of time with the Racers Edge Motorsports guy and I love driving with them,” said Vance.

He continued, “We aren’t going in thinking this is a cake walk, and understand there’s work to be done. There’s not another team in the paddock with whom I’d feel more comfortable taking on this challenge.”

In car camera from Roebling Road test with Vance in the SIN R1 GT4.

Vance created a unique business to business partnership opportunity with his largest sponsor, ExpoSystems Displays and Exhibits, the largest modular systems manufacturer in Canada.

“Its exciting to utilize the B2B deals in the industry with other like minded companies that are there supporting the motorsports industry. The business side of racing provides so many opportunities for sponsors and to promote growth of those sponsors. The return on investment in the right deal can be incredible.”

Vance also utilizes social media, specifically SnapChat and Instagram, to extend his ability to provide value for his sponsors.

“I like to share moments on Snapchat that show my personality, or behind the scenes at a race. Those are something fans don’t always see, so it gives them extra insight into what goes on with a team, or what a driver does on a daily basis.”

Vance is an avid supporter of his Canadian hometown, and a passionate Toronto Blue Jays fan, so for him, the opportunity to race in his local sports community is a dream come true.

“I am truly excited. It is very rare that an opportunity such as this rolls across a drivers desk, one that encompasses all aspects of what racing should be.”

This is Vance’s first appearance in Pirelli World Challenge, and his first drive in sprint races since his karting days. He has the utmost trust in the team behind him this weekend.

“I love working with the team, we work really well together, and I feel so fortunate to have this opportunity, especially in front of my home crowd. I can’t wait to get to work next week.”

About Expo Systems:

ExpoSystems provides award winning exhibit design, trade show booth design and portable trade show displays for companies in Toronto across Ontario and Canada. ExpoSystems is the largest modular trade show display manufacturer in Canada and provides amazing exhibit design solutions for all industries and business models. For more information: www.exposystems.com

About Team LTD:

TEAMLTD is a Lifestyle Apparel brand connecting people around the globe who are Living The Dream.

Follow: @teamLTD_

About SIN CARS:

SIN CARS is a European based manufacturer of both race and road cars. The SIN R1 GT4 is the first race car to be available and is based on the SIN R1 road going sports car. Already on sale in Europe, the first product available in North America is the SIN R1 GT4 race car. Additional models will be available in the future through North American partner, Racers Edge Motorsports. Through cooperation between the two companies, SIN CARS will develop and establish their brand and vehicles in the North American market.

Follow: @sincarsuk, www.sincars.co.uk

About Racers Edge Motorsports:

Racers Edge Motorsports is a full service organization with expertise in all aspects of race team operations; from mechanical preparation, chassis engineering, data analysis and driver development, to expertise in the race team’s role in the execution of motorsports marketing programs. With more than 25 years in the industry, we have the skills, the knowledge and the experience to make it happen!

We are proud and excited to have just been named the exclusive, North American distributor for SIN CARS. We look forward to continuing to build our history of success with the all new SIN R1 GT4 in 2016 by providing the same great service and support we have for the past 25 years.