The inaugural Aspiring Driver Shootout winner will join Precision Racing LA in 2024
MILLVILLE, NJ (7 March 2024) – Inaugural PT Autosport Aspiring Driver Shootout winner Henry Drury will begin his formal racing career in four weeks, competing with Precision Racing LA w/ PT Autosport in the Toyota GR Cup series.
Supported by Toyota Gazoo Racing North America and Toyota Racing Development, the GR Cup enters its second season with significant momentum, coming off an inaugural year that saw over 30 cars competing each race weekend – with the Toyota GR86 Cup Car becoming one of iRacing’s most popular vehicles.
For Drury, this first step into a professional racing series is a dream come true, with the 23-year-old Tampa, Fla. resident overcoming the odds on more than one occasion.
“I’m ecstatic to be making the step up to my first “pro” series in Toyota GR Cup this year,” said Drury. “I keep having to step back and think about the look that 10-year-old me would have on his face if he knew that we’d have the chance at a proper racing career, not to mention racing at some of the most awesome tracks in the country.
“I can’t thank PT Autosport enough for the trust, coaching, and continued support. They surprised me with a GR Cup test late last year and I’ve been dying to get back behind the wheel of one ever since!”
Drury grew up near London watching every motorsport event he could find, desperately wanting to start a racing career. Knowing his family did not have the budget for him to compete, he turned his focus to the engineering and design side of motorsports, planning to attend university to study engineering. In the meantime, Drury worked on his other passion – as a two-time national pairs figure skating champion, he set his sights on a spot on the British Olympic team in 2018.
But a serious back injury sent Drury to the sidelines at the age of 14, and into surgery. During his nine-year recovery, he endured time unable to walk, tackling the mental effects of a long-term injury and watching his competitors achieve the goals he’d been dreaming of – before finding his competitive fire again through sim racing, becoming a proficient online racer.
Hoping to finally make his dream come true, he saved up the money to attend a racing school and worked to find sponsorship for a weekend in the school’s racing series at Mid-Ohio, where he earned a podium finish on his debut. Working hard to find the means to continue, Drury happened upon the chance of a lifetime – he applied for the 2022 PT Autosport Aspiring Driver Shootout and earned a spot in the finals. Against seven other drivers over two grueling days of on and off-track evaluations, Drury won the Shootout and a two-year slot in the team’s junior driver program. After a second surgery at the Texas Back Institute to fully restore his mobility, Drury earned several podium finishes in Porsche Club of America and SCCA events in a Spec Boxster before impressing in a GR Cup test late last year.
The Toyota GR Cup will contest a 14-race season in 2024 at seven of the top road courses in the U.S. – Sonoma, Sebring, COTA, VIR, Road America, Barber and Indianapolis.
“I think I’m most excited for the challenge that this year is going to present,” said Drury. “I’m driving better than ever and I’m feeling confident, but I only have four race weekends under my belt and the level of up-and-coming talent in Toyota GR Cup is immense. I’m looking forward to pitting myself against the best, making a name for myself, and proving I deserve a place here.”
For PT Autosport team principal Jason Myers, the GR Cup mission statement defines the reasoning behind the move to the series, which is committing to providing “a competitive and affordable race series supported by a best-in-class purse and prize package.”
“I couldn’t be prouder of Henry and this opportunity to get him in the Toyota GR Cup this season with Precision Racing LA,” said PT Autosport team principal Jason Myers. “He did very well in a test late last year and we knew we needed to try and get him behind the wheel for a season to show what he is capable of. Henry’s story is amazing – from training for the Olympics to a career-ending spinal injury – and into an entirely new form of competition and focus with Sportscar racing and winning our inaugural 2022 Aspiring Driver Shootout. So far, he is exceeding our expectations and I believe he will continue to do so.
“We feel really fortunate being able to partner with such a great team,” Myers continued. “Mario and his PRLA crew run arguably one of the best outfits I’ve seen in my almost 20 years of racing. We’re really looking forward to the competition this season and where it takes us!”
Drury’s No. 88 GR86 will display a livery designed by Thonthan Saengsuwan, who won the team’s design contest. The livery features a stylized Panda and Tiger – the “PT” in the team’s name.
Precision Racing LA with PT Autosport kicks off the 2024 Toyota GR Cup season with two races at Sonoma Raceway April 5 to 7, to be broadcast live at www.grcup.com.
About PT Autosport
PT Autosport, based at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville, NJ, campaigns rising star Alex Sedgwick (UK) in the 2024 Porsche Carrera Cup North America series with JDX Racing, 2022 Aspiring Driver Shootout winner Henry Drury (UK) in the Toyota GR Cup, and 2023 Aspiring Driver Shootout winner Brenna Schubert (USA) in a soon-to-be-announced series for the 2024 season.
PT Autosport is working towards bringing diversity and opportunity to the motorsport industry, hosting their annual Aspiring Driver Shootout, in which aspiring drivers aged 18-23 can compete for a team racing partnership with the team. Visit PTAutosport.com for more info.
PT Autosport social media
Instagram: @pt_autosport
TikTok: @ptautosport
Twitter: @PtAutosport
Facebook: PT Autosport
About Precision Racing LA
Precision Racing LA is an in-house pro racing team based in Los Angeles, California. Newly formed specifically for the Toyota GR86 Cup, the team is powered by LA Honda World Racing which brings with it years of experience in SRO and IMSA competition. The Precision Racing LA name speaks to the team’s drive in delivering the most professional experience, our demonstration in attention to detail, and their endless pursuit to achieve the top step of the podium.
