In an all-new program centered around the impressive McLaren 570S GT4, Global Motorsports Group (GMG) and cybersecurity technology leader CrowdStrike are proud to partner for the upcoming 2017 Pirelli World Challenge GTS season.

“We couldn’t be more excited to bring this new program to the series,” stated GMG team owner James Sofronas. “At GMG we’ve been very proud of the reputation we’ve built over the years for being able to fine-tune and develop a number of exotic racing machines, and the addition of the new McLaren 570S GT4 is a perfect fit. It’s a beautiful car and one that we couldn’t be more excited to get our hands on. Of course this whole program is due to the impressive effort made by both CrowdStrike and George Kurtz. George is an experienced racer, but equally important he’s done an excellent job over the years developing CrowdStrike’s experiential marketing platform through motorsport, and running the full 2017 Pirelli World Challenge GTS season should fit in to that perfectly. We pride ourselves on the ability to create a competitive program unlike any other, and part of that is the ability to open up our paddock to a variety of sponsor needs, and CrowdStrike’s impressive client base will fit in to that perfectly. We look forward to a strong year together.”

Entering their second year of Pirelli World Challenge competition, 2017 will mark the first full-season of CrowdStrike’s immersion in to motorsports. Widely recognized as the go-to company to stop breaches, CrowdStrike is the leader in cloud-delivered endpoint security. Since its inception, CrowdStrike has experienced explosive global growth and exponential expansion of its operations, fueled by massive demand for its CrowdStrike Falcon Endpoint Protection. CrowdStrike has been recognized as one of the fastest growing companies by the prestigious Inc. 5000 and Deloitte Fast 500 lists and was named Best Security Company in the 2017 SC Awards.

“I couldn’t be happier to join GMG for the 2017 Pirelli World Challenge season,” stated Kurtz. “The team’s reputation for running a competitive program is well known, and to take the wheel of the McLaren is an experience that every driver wishes for. Hopes are definitely high for a competitive run, and I’m sure we’ll only get stronger as the year goes on. At CrowdStrike we really look forward to a central program to build our experiential marketing base, and the platform that the series and team provide is unparalleled. It should be a great season and we couldn’t be more excited to get this going at St. Petersburg.”

With an extensive client base of leading global brands, CrowdStrike will be utilizing the Pirelli World Challenge as a hub for experiential entertainment, B2B networking, and as a forum for meeting with a litany of customers, prospects and partners. Race weekends will include executive-level security industry roundtables, combined with VIP access to the most compelling aspects of each racing venue. With a premium on forging and solidifying relationships, the utilization of both the series and GMG offers a great opportunity for the company to extend their platform. You can learn more about CrowdStrike’s involvement in motorsports at crowdstrikeracing.com.

With a premium on results, the addition of George Kurtz to the driving lineup should provide a perfect fit. A veteran of grassroots racing, Kurtz has a résumé of racing that boasts everything from extensive endurance racing to winning the 2012 Radical Cup championship. He competed throughout the second half of last year’s Pirelli World Challenge GTS category, competing in six races with several strong performances.

Off the track, Kurtz is one of the leading experts in cybersecurity, with a proven track record of driving growth and innovation for a number of renowned software security companies before forming CrowdStrike in 2011. Recognizing the unique opportunity to create a more scalable, modern, and effective solution to stop breaches, Kurtz pioneered the first cloud-native endpoint protection platform on the market which leverages leading-edge technologies including artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Of course the whole program will be developed around the venerable McLaren 570S GT4, the latest machine in an incredible line of products from the manufacturer. Built to the global GT4 platform, the car will be eligible to compete in a number of series, and as a mid-engine, twin-turbo V8, the car’s immediate pace in testing has proven remarkable. Campaigned by GMG, who have managed to take race wins with Porsche, Audi, Lamborghini and BMW, the addition of McLaren to their roster only adds the organizations depth and dynamic.

The Pirelli World Challenge GTS series will begin in just under two-weeks’ time, with the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, taking place on the streets of the Eastern Florida city. Practice will begin on Thursday, March 9, with two separate races on Friday, March 10 and Saturday, March 11. Additional details will be provided as the event draws closer.