Michael Cooper Joins Cadillac Racing for 2016 Pirelli World Challenge

Michael Cooper

Michael Cooper will join Cadillac Racing as a teammate to four-time series champion Johnny O'Connell for the 2016 Pirelli World Challenge Series GT Championship.

Cooper (26) is the 2015 World Challenge GTS driver champion. The driver from Syosset, New York posted four wins and two additional podium finishes in the No. 10 Blackdog Racing Chevrolet Camaro Z28 to win the driver title. Cooper will pilot the No. 8 Cadillac Racing ATS-V.R starting with the season opener at the Circuit of the America's in March.

"Cadillac racing has proven to be the most accomplished team in the Pirelli World Challenge paddock," Cooper said. "The opportunity to work with the team and represent the Cadillac brand is the stuff dreams are made of for a driver.

"Back in 2009 Johnny saw me drive at the CTS-V Challenge where, then GM president, Bob Lutz challenged civilians to try and beat the CTS-V around a race track," he continued. "After seeing my effort, Johnny said 'this is the type of kid you hope pursues racing.' Being Johnny's teammate just six years later makes me feel like my racing career has really come full circle.

"The Cadillac ATS-V.R is the epitome of a race car," Cooper said. "The horsepower from the Twin turbo GM LF4.R engine, downforce of the GT3 spec body and its nimble chassis create a rewarding experience for the driver that is unmatched in anything I have raced. From the few laps I have done in the car, I can tell you it is just plain wicked."

"Michael will be a great addition to Cadillac Racing," said Mark Kent, director of Cadillac Racing. "He really captured our attention in the second round of the series at the Circuit of the America's in March where, in the pouring rain, he started ninth and drove his Camaro Z/28 to the lead by the end of the first lap and went on to capture the win. Since that race he continued to impress us with three more wins, two podiums, a couple of fourth place finishes and winning the GTS driver's championship."

O'Connell is enthusiastic about Cooper joining the team.

"I remember clearly the first time I saw Cooper drive, I was impressed enough to let his father know the kid has very good skills," O'Connell said. "To have watched him progress through the ranks, observe his speed and race craft, speaks volumes to the fact that you can still make it to the top based on talent. I am confident he'll be a great addition to Cadillac Racing, and I look forward to working with him."

The Pirelli World Challenge Championship will open the season at the Circuit of the America's with a double race weekend March 3-6, 2016.

Michael Cooper bio

In 2015, Cooper drove the Blackdog Racing Chevrolet Camaro to the World Challenge GTS driver championship with wins at Circuit of the America's, Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course, Miller Motorsports Park and Sonoma Raceway. He had podium finishes at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and Sonoma Raceway. In 2014, he started two GTS races with two top 10 finishes, including fourth at Miller Motorsports Park in round 16. In 2013, Cooper returned to the World Challenge Touring Car Class for a partial season, winning four of nine races (double race wins at Toronto and Mid-Ohio) and made a one-off appearance in the GT Class at Mid-Ohio. In 2012, he won the World Challenge Touring Car Driver Championship with six wins and seven poles on his way to claiming Touring Car Rookie of the Year honor.In 2011, he won the Playboy Mazda MX-5 driver championship with six poles and five wins. This championship earned Cooper the Mazda Motorsports Ladder System award enabling young and talented drivers the funding to move up in the racing ranks. In 2010, he won one race and stood on the podium four times in the Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup Series. In 2009, he began his racing career at the Skip Barber Racing School.