“We were really impressed with what Michael brought to the track during last year’s competition so when it came time to select a new lead driver, he was our top pick,” said Christian Chia, Founder of OpenRoad Racing and CEO of OpenRoad Auto Group. “We believe Michael has the skills and talent to become one of Canada’s top drivers, and we look forward to helping him reach his full potential during the upcoming race season.”
In 2018, Di Meo competed in his first Porsche GT3 Cup Canada and managed to secure two podium finishes while placing in the top five spots, five times. Di Meo succeeded in becoming OpenRoad Racing’s new lead driver following successful partnerships with professional race car driver, Remo Ruscutti from 2017 to 2018, and two-time Porsche GT3 Cup Champion, Scott Hargrove from 2014 to 2016. In 2014, Scott Hargrove won the top spot as the lead racer with OpenRoad Racing, claiming the Porsche GT3 Championship Cup. The 2019 race series will be OpenRoad’s sixth time participating in the national motorsports competition.
Michael began his racing career in kart racing at the young age of seven, and over the next 11 years he progressed through the various ranks of kart racing to compete at the highest level throughout North America. In 2013, he began his race car driving career and one year later, in his rookie year, he won a record-tying eight races and successfully secured the top spot in the 2014 Pirelli World Challenge Championship. In 2018, Di Meo competed in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge with Policaro Motorsport where he worked hard to claim two podium spots.
This year, Di Meo will be behind the wheel of No. 96 OpenRoad Racing’s Porsche 911 GT3 at six races in the series where he is expected to improve upon the success of his rookie season.
The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada is a one-make racing series based in Canada utilizing Porsche 911 GT3s. The Canadian race car series features semi-professional drivers racing head to head in one of the largest single-make series in North America. The multi-class structure of the series teaches drivers essential skills for an eventual career in Porsche Supercup or the American Le Mans Series. The series is divided into two classes; the Platinum Cup, featuring the more powerful Porsche 911 GT3 Cup 991.2 cars, and the Gold Cup, which includes the older 991.1 model. The series is sanctioned by the International Motorsports Association, and is a development series to the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada by Yokohama race series schedule is follows:
May 17-19: Victoria Day Speedfest Weekend
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Bowmanville, ON
June 7-9: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal, QC
July 5-7: Mobil 1 Sportscar Grand Prix
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Bowmanville, ON
July 12-14: Streets of Toronto
Honda Indy Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
August 2-4: Road America
Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI
September 27-29: Circuit Mont-Tremblant
Circuit Mont-Tremblant, Mont-Tremblant, QC
For more information, visit the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge website.
About OpenRoad Racing
Founded in 2004, the OpenRoad racing team is spearheaded by Christian Chia and his two brothers – all of whom are race car drivers themselves and have competed in races all over the world. Their race history includes winning the championship at the 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Challenge Canada and then winning second place in 2016 with Scott Hargrove; the 2017 and 2018 GT3 Cup Challenge with race car driver, Remo Ruscitti, the 2014 Asia GT3 Challenge, the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (2010-2012); and the Asian Formula Renault Challenge (2004-2008); Macau Grand Prix, Macau GT Cup (2008).
About OpenRoad Auto Group
OpenRoad Auto Group is B.C.'s largest automotive dealership group with over 1,500 associates representing 21 quality automotive brands at 33 retail and service locations. Established In 2000, OpenRoad Auto Group offers car buyers and owners an experiential automotive retail service. With sales and service in multiple languages, OpenRoad Auto Group encourages a car buying experience based on openness, participation and expertise. OpenRoad is proud to be a Platinum Club Member of the Canada’s Best Managed Companies Program, a CADA Laureate, and the recipient of multiple Canadian Best Employer Awards. www.openroadautogroup.com