Erin Vogel

Erin Vogel will sub for Tony Gaples in the No. 11 Blackdog Speed Shop McLaren 570S GT4 for the pair of season-ending Pirelli GT4 America Sprint rounds at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, it has been confirmed. Gaples has elected to stand down from driving this weekend after feeling unwell, with non-COVID-19 symptoms. The team owner/driver sat out Thursday’s pair of practice sessions. “I started having headaches and some dizziness last weekend, and I had hoped I’d feel better this week,” Gaples explained. “Unfortunately that hasn’t happened. “Rather than put myself and my competitors at risk, I felt like it was best to go ahead and withdraw from the weekend. It’s not a satisfying ending to the year but I fully intend to be back for the start of the 2021 season.” Vogel, who drives a McLaren in GT4 SprintX with Flying Lizard Motorsports, will now be pulling double duty over the course of the week. Her SprintX co-driver, Michael Cooper, recently clinched the GT4 Sprint Pro championship with Blackdog. “It’s always disappointing to hear of a racer having to step down last-minute, especially when it’s a friend like Tony,” Vogel said. “He’s been a great competitor in the series for a long time and has the respect of the entire paddock, and I know everyone wishes him well. “I’m definitely honored to step in as part of the Blackdog Speed Shop team this weekend and gain even more experience with the McLaren. The more track time, the better.” Vogel set the sixth quickest time in the Am class in the No. 11 Blackdog McLaren in Thursday’s practice sessions.

“We’ll see what opportunities arise from there – but in the long term I hope to be the kind of driver that other drivers enjoy racing and competing against and want to have around the paddock, as well as a positive role model and an inspiration to others.” “ I started racing with my Dad in the Indy Motorsports Challenge Series in matching Spec-86 Subaru BRZ, then we moved into Spec Boxster with the Porsche Owners Club and PCA, which eventually led me to Flying Lizard and the Porsche Trophy West series.”

FLASHBACK...May 2017

For the first time, an all-female team competed at Tribute. In this case, the ladies competed in a bright orange Boxster Spec with an appropriate team name, “Orange Blossom Special.” Despite having two drivers fresh out of Racers Clinic, the team of Regan Steedman, Karen Robinson and Erin Vogel brought the car home on the podium in the unlimited class.

At Vali Motorsports in Corona California we offer everything needed to get to the track, be competitive and win races. We cater to anyone from entry level drivers starting out in PDS all the way to experienced club racers. Our focus is to provide the best possible outcome for our customers with safety, affordability, and reliance being of high priority. We make certain our drivers are able to compete to the best of their ability by providing full track support, storage, race prep and maintenance programs. We are in the business of making sure our customers can focus on what the pros do, be at every race and win championships!!

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