Multiple-championship-winning team returns to ST for 13th season

Toronto, Canada – Long-time Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge team C360R (Compass360 Racing) today announced the return of its popular Audi S3’s to Continental Tire Sportscar Challenge competition for the 2016 season. This marks the team’s 13th consecutive year in the IMSA-sanctioned series.

“We were excited to debut the new Audi S3 in CTSC last season, with our crew and drivers working tirelessly to develop the car over the course of 2015,” remarked Team Principal Karl Thomson. “This car introduced new technology to the Street Tuner class, including the S-tronic gearbox and Quattro all-wheel drive, and it was an interesting challenge to work through the electronics of a road-going car to tune them for racing purposes.”

The team’s efforts paid off, with the season-long duo of Paul Holton and Kyle Gimple taking the car’s first win at the season finale at Road Atlanta. “The tricky, wet conditions helped us, for sure, but we were also quick in the dry, so we’re really looking forward to getting the new season under way on the high banks of Daytona,” noted Gimple.

Jim McGuire and Nico Rondet will be back in the No.74 Audi, hoping to build on their solid performance at Road Atlanta, which saw both drivers move through the field during their stints, with Rondet in fifth position before a last-lap incident dropped them to 10th.

Gimple will be joined in the No.75 S3 by CTSC Rookie Roy Block, who moves up from NASA and F3 ranks. “Having three of last season’s drivers returning is great for continuity as we continue to develop the Audis,” said Technical Director Ray Lee. “We’re also excited to have Roy on board, who will be working with Kyle as his coach."

Both cars will feature liveries created using AERO Advanced Paint Technology, continuing the technical partnership that began last year. “AERO is an incredible new way to apply paint, and the finished product looks just incredible,” enthused Thomson. “Last season all of our Audis, our S3’s, TT RS and R8 LMS, were all painted with AERO and were fan favourites."

The squad will, as they have since 2010, support the Children’s Tumor Foundation’s Racing4Research program, by carrying the CTF logo on both cars and serving as one of the featured paddocks on the charity’s tour at each race.

“We’re looking forward to a great season,” said Thomson. “Thanks to the folks at Audi Genuine Parts and Audi Tire Center, and to all our development partners, we expect to see our S3’s at the front of the pack in 2016."

The team will be at Daytona International Speedway for the ROAR, January 8-10 in preparation for the season opener, also at Daytona Jan 27-29.

About Compass360 Racing

Compass360 Racing (C360R) is the motorsports division of Compass360 Brand Architects, a Toronto-based firm offering marketing expertise to clients in diverse industries across North America. The team, which has been competing in professional racing continually since 2004, fields front-running cars in IMSA's Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, winning series Championships in 2010, 2009, 2007, and 2006. C360R also won Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car Championships in 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011, and the Canadian Touring Car Championship in 2010. For details please visit http://C360R.com, "Like" on Facebook https://www.fb.com/C360R, and follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/C360R.

About AERO Advanced Paint Technology

AERO Advanced Paint Technology™ is an environmentally sustainable paint applique that eliminates the need for harmful sprayers. The aerospace-grade, self-healing paint film and solvent-free adhesive were designed to give the technology the highest performance in durability and aesthetics, while reducing weight compared to traditional spray. 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 Racing4Research

Developed by the Children’s Tumor Foundation, the Racing4Research™ (R4R) program utilizes competitive, professional auto racing as a vehicle to increase awareness of neurofibromatosis (NF) and to raise funds for research through corporate sponsorship, personal donations, and individual fundraising by NF Heroes - children and adults from around the country who live with neurofibromatosis. The Racing4Research program offers families living with the disorder a uniquely empowering weekend, and has raised more than $3 million dollars since 2008. For details please visit http://racing4research.org, "Like" the R4R Facebook page https://www.fb.com/racing4research, and follow https://twitter.com/Racing4Research on Twitter.