PATASKALA, Ohio – British driver Alice Powell will make her IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship debut at Virginia Int’l Raceway alongside Katherine Legge in the No. 57 Caterpillar Acura NSX GT3.

Powell finished her latest racing series on a high note by scoring her first victory of the season and placing third overall in the championship. In addition to her race win, she earned podium finishes at the Hockenheimring, Circuit Zolder and TT Circuit Assen.

During her time competing in the top open wheel series in Europe – Formula Renault, GP3 and Formula 3 – Powell won several awards for her achievements. In 2009, at just 16 years old, she was the youngest female to compete in the Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship. She also won the British Women Racing Drivers Club Goldstars ‘Elite’ Category award and was the first woman to win a Formula Renault Race in the UK, going on to become the first woman to win a Formula Renault Championship in 2010.

With two powerhouse British drivers competing in the Michelin GT Challenge on Sunday, Aug. 25, Heinricher Racing with Meyer Shank Racing is poised for another strong showing at Virginia Int’l Raceway.

“I am very excited to be joining Heinricher Racing and Meyer Shank Racing for the next round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship,” said Powell. “This is such a successful and well-respected team. I am looking forward to working with them and settling into driving the Acura NSX GT3. It will be my first time racing in the States and only the second endurance race of my career, so I am very keen to experience VIR.”

Last year, Legge stood on the podium at VIR. She is looking forward to making another podium run with her new teammate in the No. 57 Caterpillar Acura NSX.

“I’m looking forward to VIR and to a fresh start after the last couple of races where we haven’t had the best results,” said Legge. “I’m really looking forward to racing with Alice. She is a well-respected driver and just won her latest race. We’ll all help her get even more comfortable with the Acura NSX so her speed translates to sports car racing. And, being a fellow Brit, I’m sure we’ll share too many laughs. I know we have made a lot of changes to the car for VIR, and last year was a strong race for us so hopefully we can get back into a rhythm next week.”

“The Heinricher Racing No. 57 Caterpillar effort is pleased to have Alice Powell join the team at VIR as a substitute for Bia Figueiredo,” said team principal Jackie Heinricher. “This is a fantastic track for her USA debut alongside veteran driver Katherine Legge. Our goal has long been to develop female talent and Alice has the talent deserving of our attention. The entire MSR crew has worked hard to sort our car, and we look forward to shaking off the issues of the past few races to fight back to the top.”