BOSTON (March 23, 2018) – Continuing a 2018 season that has truly encapsulated a highlight list of racing events around the globe, Black Swan Racing is proud to return to the streets of Long Beach, California with a two-car entry at the upcoming Grand Prix of Long Beach. While Tim Pappas will return to the downtown circuit in his trademark No. 54 Porsche 911 GT3 R, the team will also welcome the entry of a Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport in the newly-announced GTS-invitational class, driven by seven-time American Motorcycle Assosication (AMA) champion and IndyCar winner Jeff Ward. 

“It’s great to return to action at Long Beach, especially being joined by a legend like Jeff Ward,” stated Black Swan Racing team owner and driver Tim Pappas. “I grew up as an avid dirt biker, and Jeff was always ‘the guy’ for any kid who looked up to motocross racing, so to have him join our group is something we’re all looking forward to. The event at Long Beach is unlike any other we go to, and we’re thrilled to add it to our global roster of events this year. While our GT3 R program is a proven one, it’s great to finally put our Cayman GT4 Clubsport to work, and with a guy like Jeff behind the wheel we know it’s in good hands.”

No stranger to success in motorsport, Jeff Ward joins as a legend of both two wheels and four. A five-time AMA Motocross Champion, two-time AMA Supercross champion, IndyCar race winner, Indy 500 runner-up, and even a two-time X-Games winner, Ward will make his sportscar debut at one of the most storied events in road racing. 

“I’m very excited to take to the streets of Long Beach,” stated Ward. “Street racing is unlike anything else in motorsports, and the nature of the Pirelli World Challenge and their sprint racing format means you have to be instantly on the pace and willing to race hard. It’s an opportunity I’ve really been looking forward to, and I couldn’t be more appreciative of everyone at Black Swan Racing and Porsche Motorsport North America for making the opportunity possible.”

The effort will mark the next step in Black Swan Racing’s 2018 adventures, part of a globe-hopping adventure that will see the team run all four rounds of the Intercontinental GT Challenge, as well as the Pirelli World Challenge SprintX championship. This will mark the third year for the team and their Porsche 911 GT3 R program, which began with a runner-up finish at the 2016 Rolex 24 at Daytona.

With two entries in two separate classes, the effort has not gone unnoticed by Daniel Armbruster, the President and CEO of Porsche Motorsport North America.

“This is a natural continuation of Tim Pappas’s long history with Porsche Motorsport,” stated Armbruster. “The Black Swan entry of Jeff Ward in the Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR adds well to the Pirelli World Challenge class competing during the Long Beach Grand Prix weekend and we are very pleased to see this car competing there in addition to Tim in his traditional No. 54 Porsche 911 GT3 R in the GT class.”

The Grand Prix of Long Beach will take place in just over three weeks’ time, with practice beginning on Friday, April 13 and race action taking place on Sunday, April 15.