Rayhall announces retirement

Sean Rayhall has announced his retirement from motor racing, effective immediately.

The 23-year-old native of Georgia had become a fixture in North American and European sports car circles, driving in IMSA for DeltaWing Racing and 3GT’s Lexus RC F GT3 effort, and in the ELMS with United Autosports.

A winner of the 2017 ELMS LMP3 championship with fellow American John Falb at United Autosports, Rayhall turned his attention to sports cars after investing many years on the Mazda Road To Indy, where he reached Indy Lights in 2015 and scored two victories with the underfunded 8Star team.

Although Rayhall’s promising open-wheel career stalled prior to reaching IndyCar, his talent was recognized by the Chip Ganassi Racing team, who placed him in Charlie Kimball’s No. 83 Chevy during a test at Sonoma Raceway where he split the day with the Californian.

As Rayhall suggests in his note posted on social media, a healthier lifestyle – conducted away from motor racing – is what he needs at this stage of his life.

“This is a post to announce that I am hanging up the helmet and stepping away from racing completely,”he wrote. “I’ve been very blessed with the opportunities I was given into the amazing team members I had stand beside me. Unfortunately, I’ve reached a point in my life that the lifestyle and pressure that comes with motorsport isn’t for me.

“I’m just really happy to be starting a new chapter of my life in a different type of industry January 1. I want to thank everyone that has supported me in the community, all the friends that have been there for me through this decision, and wish everyone a great 2019 season!”