NEWS

---

Jason Bell is a staple name  in SRO Motorsports America. This statement could not be more valid as  the GT America powered by AWS series kicks off 2023 with the Grand Prix  of St. Petersburg. The St. Petersburg, Florida local was a race winner  in 2022 and champion in 2021.

This season Bell joins another legend in  racing, Flying Lizard Motorsports, to run the GT America powered by AWS  calendar. He and the Lizards will run the No. 2 Aston Martin Vantage AMR  GT4 on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn street course. The course is characterized  by its changing track surface and tight turns. Together Bell hopes to  secure two wins to start his season quest of becoming a series champion a  second time. 

He’ll put his Aston Martin Vantage and its top qualities on full display to accomplish the goal.

“The first race is huge,” Bell said. “In my  opinion, it sets the whole year up. Coming out of St. Pete with both  wins would be huge for our team. We are expecting nothing less.

“My Flying Lizard Aston Martin Vantage has a  super stable platform with great torque that allows me to use the track  to its strengths while giving me the confidence to really push the  chassis to its limits.”

Of course, as much benefit comes from the  driver as the car. Bell understands the nuances of the streets along  with his race car. Street circuits require an amount of courage as there  is little run-off space should things not go to plan. With tight  competition, Bell has much to handle on track to set himself up for  success.

“I am very comfortable driving this  course,” Bell said. “Qualifying is at the top of the list to help  produce a good result on the street courses. This race is about being  precise while consistently hitting your marks lap after lap and making  no mistakes.

“The most challenging part of the Grand  Prix of St. Pete for me is it being a street circuit; there is little  room for error with the course mostly enclosed in concrete. It makes the  racing more intense, and mistakes have greater consequences.” 

All work and no play would make Bell a dull  boy. So, he enjoys the advantages of the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg  being the opening race in his hometown. The added pressure of friends  and family hoping for a win only drives Bell.

“The pressure on me to perform is huge,”  Bell said. “It’s such a great event, a great city and what a weekend it  will be. Last year I had my wife Danielle, and our family and friends  attend. It was well over 60 people at the race. I was able to win, and  it was amazing. This year again Danielle will be there to support me,  and we are expecting a larger turnout than last year. The pressure will  be high. This year I am 100% percent focused on winning. I have a new  team; it’s a new year, and expectations are high.”

Follow Bell on his mission by joining SRO  America and GT America powered by AWS at the Grand Prix of St.  Petersburg. You can purchase tickets here. Or watch the race live by  smashing the subscribe button on the GT World YouTube page. Select races  will also be streamed live on Twitch for those following  SROMOTORSPORTS.