Era Motorsport has confirmed Mazda MX-5 Cup star Connor Zilisch as their Endurance Cup driver in their #18 Oreca 07 LMP2 entrant competing in the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
The 17-year-old will accompany full-season drivers Ryan Dalziel and Dwight Merriman at the five Endurance Cup events on the 2024 IMSA calendar.
Indy NXT Champion Christian Rasmussen will join the trio for the 24 Hours of Daytona, the season-opener on 27-28 January.
After successfully karting as a youngster, driving in cars began in 2021 – in which he commenced his MX-5 Cup series efforts – initially winning the MX-5 Cup Scholarship followed by Rookie of the Year one year later.
Zilisch said: “I’m super excited to get going in 2024 with Era Motorsport for my first season in endurance racing, but I have a lot to learn as this is a very different style of racing than I’m used to.
“Thankfully, I have a great team around me and very experienced teammates in Ryan, Dwight, and Christian that I will be able to learn from throughout the season.”
He was signed as a Chevrolet Junior Development Driver in 2022, and claimed five Trans-Am TA2 class wins this year on his way to finish fourth in the TA2 standings.
Additionally, his 2023 MX-5 Cup season included seven podiums, four wins and one pole-position throughout the 10-round calendar.
Team-owner Kyle Tilley added: “I’m super happy to have a promising up-and-comer like Zilisch in the car.
“Even after just one test, it’s clear that he’s going to be one of the best drivers in the field any time he hits the track.”
“I think with him joining our already strong line-up we have great odds at a strong performance not just at Daytona, but for the overall championship.”
After the Daytona 24, Zilisch will continue his debut season at the second round on the 2024 schedule, the 12 Hours of Sebring on 16 March.
The third endurance event will follow three months later with the Six Hours of the Glen on 23 June, followed by the second six-hour race on 22 September, which will be at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course.
Petit Le Mans’ 27th annual running at Road Atlanta will conclude the 2024 season with a 10-hour race on 12 October.
