Performance Tech Motorsports and John DeAngelis Gear Up for Road Atlanta

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. (October 1, 2018) – John DeAngelis has always lived his life in the fast lane but decided he could push himself a notch higher by joining Performance Tech Motorsports for the IMSA Prototype Challenge Presented by Mazda season finale at Road Atlanta.
 
DeAngelis, from Naples, Florida, spends his days executing a well-practiced balancing act of business owner, parent, grandparent, missionary and race car driver. While most people find themselves jet-setting for weekend getaways, DeAngelis and his family lead a much different lifestyle traveling globally for mission work with a multitude of ministries. Through his mission work, he spreads a veracity and sportsmanship that Performance Tech Motorsports is eager to introduce to the IMSA Prototype Challenge Presented by Mazda paddock.
 
“I’m an elder at Summit Church where my wife and I do a lot of work together,” DeAngelis said. “Our church does mission trips and work year-round. The main ministries we work with are ones that fight human trafficking as well as orphan care. Our goal is to reunite these children with their families, or if that’s not possible, help find them an adoptive family. We want to keep them out of orphanages and the foster system if possible. As you can see this mission is really close to our hearts with our youngest two daughters being adopted from China through similar circumstances.”
 
Like most young boys, DeAngelis became intrigued with the motorsports world at a young age. He recalls loving karting as a kid and he credits his father for turning him into a sports car enthusiast. However, it wasn’t until his late thirties that he got to take to the track in a high performance car.
 
“When I started being able to get cars of my own it further fueled my passion for racing,” DeAngelis said. “Then, in 2007 I won the fastest autocross lap at Master Maserati at Road Atlanta which fueled my passion even further. That caused me to buy a Lotus Exige and begin tracking in HPDE events. After years of participating in HPDE I tested the Elan DP02 and within four seconds knew I had to have it.”
 
With over 11 years of multiclass High Performance Driving Events (HPDE) under his belt comes an impressive podium filled resume for DeAngelis. Most recently he added a class win at the FARA Summer Challenge at Homestead to his resume. While DeAngelis is gearing up for his first race under the IMSA sanctioning body, he is no stranger to the focus and consistency needed to race against cars and individuals of all speeds.
 
“I’ve moved up through the ranks over the years so moving to IMSA was part of the natural progression for me,” DeAngelis said. “With HPDE events I’m used to handling 40 different cars on track at the same time, all racing the clock and each other, passing each other left and right. The IMSA race format fits perfectly with what I’m capable of and what I enjoy.”
 
It was his time in HPDE that led him to Performance Tech Motorsports Team Principal Brent O’Neill. The pair originally met over the purchase of one of O’Neill’s cars. Their relationship quickly grew as did O’Neill’s role in DeAngelis’ racing success.
 
“I actually met Brent through purchasing my Elan DP02,” DeAngelis said. “Brent is such a fantastic resource and has taken such great care of me. Just in the past year, he’s taught me so much by sitting down with me and sorting through my data and on-track footage. He’s an amazing driver and businessman. The entire Performance Tech Motorsports organization is awesome, and I’m so blessed to be able to join them at Road Atlanta.”
 
DeAngelis joins the team for the final race of the IMSA Prototype Challenge season with a goal not to be the championship upset, rather, just to have a good time doing what he loves.
 
“I’m competitive by nature so I’m excited for my first official race at this level,” DeAngelis said. “With that in mind, this is my hobby, not my career. I want to have fun while being respectful and safe. I’m 49 years old with responsibilities and an understanding of mortality. I won’t be as fast as the 19-year-olds for that reason, but really I’m just looking to go have a safe and fun time.”
 
Performance Tech Motorsports hits the ground running Wednesday, October 10th with a full promoter test day. The team returns Thursday for two full practice sessions followed by qualifying at 2:40 p.m. ET. Their whirlwind weekend ends Friday, October 12th, with a one hour and forty-five-minute endurance race at 8 a.m. ET. The race will air live on imsatv.imsa.com.
 
The team will also host its sister program in the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship for the final round of the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Championship. The No. 38 Centinel Spine LMP2 takes the final green flag of the season Saturday, October 13th, for the historic Petit Le Mans. A complete schedule for both series is available at imsa.com.