Danville, Viginia – Michael Di Meo makes his return to Compass Racing this coming weekend at VIRginia International Raceway, subbing for Rodrigo Sales, who has a conflict with the rescheduled ELMS event in France.

The addition of Di Meo to the No. 77 Richard Mille Acura NSX GT3 Evo reunites the 2014 World Challenge Touring Car Champion with the team he won it with. All parties are exceptionally excited for the event to get under way.

“Michael was such a fantastic champion – winning with sublime drives throughout the 2014 season – and we are thrilled to have him back, this time to co-drive with Matt McMurry,” enthused Team Owner Jill Beck.

Toronto-based Di Meo has been busy in the years since, leading a Porsche Cayman program in Canadian Touring Car, and more recently competing successfully in Porsche's GT3 Cup Canada.

“I’m so grateful to Compass for the opportunity to step up to World Challenge’s GT3 America, and have been working hard in the off-season to make the most of it,” noted Di Meo. “I’m looking forward to racing the NSX and working with Matt to get the number 77 to the front. I’m also looking forward to being in a car with Jeff Hanson’s livery, since Racing4Research was such a big part of my championship year."

The No. 77 livery pays tribute to visually-impaired philanthropic artist Jeff Hanson, who suddenly passed away last December at the age of 27 from neurofibromatosis, the genetic disorder that took his vision 15 years prior. Jeff’s art was on Compass race cars in 2014 as part of an at-track program – Racing4Research – that evolved into the Race Day Foundation in 2016.

“We ran cars featuring Jeff’s artwork throughout the 2014 season, and we’re so pleased to have Michael back with us in a Hanson-liveried car,” remarked Beck. “I think Michael and Matt will make great team-mates, and after a couple of difficult weekends in the first two rounds, we’re looking for race wins."

The third weekend of the 2021 GT World Challenge America season starts June 4th at VIRginia International Raceway. Live streaming, news updates and live timing are available at https://www.gt-world-challenge-america.com

About Compass Racing

Compass Racing is a professional motorsports operation that competes in top-level sportscar series in North America. Based in San Diego, California, the multiple championship-winning team has fielded cars in IMSA's WeatherTech Championship, the Michelin Pilot Challenge, SRO GT World Challenge America, GT Celebration and Canadian Touring Car. The squad is one of the continent’s longest-running teams, having competed at the pro level continually since January 2004. For details visit www.compassracing.com

About Honda Performance Development

Honda Performance Development, Inc., (HPD) has a rich heritage creating, manufacturing, and supporting Honda Racing and Acura Motorsports customers since 1993. From pinnacle racing in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and IMSA Sports Cars to commercial racing programs, HPD powers the dreams of professional and amateur racers. HPD is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. and leads all of Honda and Acura’s high-performance racing programs in North America. HPD specializes in the design and development of race engines, chassis and performance parts, as well as technical/race support across a wide palette of racing programs that make Honda racing products available to amateur and professional racers alike, from karting and Quarter Midgets to the highest levels of sportscar and open-wheel racing: https://hpd.honda.com

About Richard Mille

The first watch to carry Richard Mille’s name, the RM 001 Tourbillon, launched the millennium: the year was 2001, and the model marked the beginning of a new era in watchmaking. Today, the collection points resolutely towards the future, while holding steadfast to the time-honored traditions of fine watchmaking. Richard Mille endeavored to apply the techniques and materials found in the most innovative sectors such as in the domains of F1 racing car development and the aerospace industry to watchmaking, with the goal of creating an extreme timepiece, without compromise, without gimmicks. https://www.richardmille.com

About Ebullition Brew Works

Ebullition Brew Works is at the crest of Southern California’s craft brewery wave. With more breweries on tap than any other county, rising to the top requires the blending of quality ingredients, expertise and experience. Voted Best North County Brewery by San Diego Magazine in 2018, Ebullition opened its Gastro-lounge in Bressi Ranch to rave reviews earlier this year, joining its industrial-chic brewery in Vista as one of the “must-visit” locations in San Diego. For details visit www.ebullitionbrew.com

About AERO™ Advanced Paint Technology

AERO Advanced Paint Technology™ is an environmentally sustainable paint applique that eliminates the need for harmful sprayers. AERO was initially designed for The Boeing Company as a lightweight paint film technology for the 787 Dreamliner. As such, the technology provides significant performance gains in weight reduction while enabling the finish to be a fully strippable system. AERO has proven to be successful in the motorsports industry due to the ease of install, significant weight savings, and enhanced durability. For details visit http://rethinkpaint.com

About The Race Day Foundation

The Race Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) for-good foundation, offering children and families living with life-threatening illness a "day away" from their daily challenges. By harnessing the power of the racing and automotive communities, we are able to provide a uniquely empowering, hope-filled Race Day - a positive experience shared by patients, parents and siblings alike. Learn more at http://racedayfoundation.org