AO Racing confirms GTD entry for Long Beach

AO Racing will defend its GTD class win at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, entering its Porsche 911 GT3 R in the pink “Roxy” livery.

After winning last year with the combination of Jonny Edgar and Laurens Vanthoor (main image), AO Racing has brought in Danish driver Mikkel O. Pedersen to make his IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship debut, joining full-time AO driver Harry King. 

Pedersen satisfies the GTD class requirement for a Silver-rated driver: The 29-year-old is a two-time FIA World Endurance Championship class winner in the former LMGTE Am class, and a veteran of Porsche Supercup and GT World Challenge Europe.

“It’s great to be bringing Roxy to Long Beach this year after Rexy’s win in 2025,” said Team Principal Gunnar Jeannette.  “Harry is no stranger to the team, but it will be Mikkel’s first time driving our dino-Porsche.  We were impressed by Mikkel’s driving as teammates in the WEC RSR’s and are looking forward to his IMSA debut with us.”

King helped lead AO Racing to a runner-up finish at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, where Roxy led 130 laps and completed a Porsche 1-2 finish in GTD Pro, alongside co-drivers Nick Tandy and Alessio Picariello.

AO Racing joins Pfaff Motorsports as one of two confirmed GTD Pro regulars that will step over to GTD for the 100-minute sprint race at Long Beach on Saturday, April 18.