Flying Lizard Motorsports will return to Pirelli World Challenge but with an all-new car and lineup, having confirmed two Audi R8 LMS GT4 entries for Mike Hedlund and Adam Merzon.

The California-based team will add Ryan Eversley for the SprintX rounds alongside Merzon in the Case-it-entered Audi GT4.

“I’m looking forward to the potential that racing with Audi Sport customer racing will provide for us,” said program manager Darren Law.

“With so many new cars coming in to GT4 this year, we had to take a hard look at everyone and evaluate the performance and program each of them to provide our team the best opportunity for success.

“Audi always delivers an extremely competitive car and they are focused on the performance.

“We were very impressed after a review of the new R8 LMS GT4 and having previously had a relationship with Audi Sport customer Racing, this was an obvious choice.”

The team first raced Audis in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2014, with its R8 LMS achieving three consecutive victories in the 25 Hours of Thunderhill.

Tristan Herbert, Audi, Senior Manager, Motorsport & Customer Racing said: “This team knows the Audi brand and how to win. We are delighted to have them represent Audi Sport customer racing with a two-car Audi R8 LMS GT4 program.”

Hedlund, who raced with the Flying Lizard-run K-PAX squad last year in PWC, makes the transition to GT4 racing on a full-time basis.

As a bronze rated driver, Hedlund will be eligible to run the two-driver formatted SprintX Races without a co-driver.

“While I have plenty of experience in PWC over the last few seasons, both the GTS class and the Audi R8 LMS GT4 will be new to me,” he said.

“The grid is shaping up to be ultra-competitive with an impressive variety of new GT4 spec machines piloted by top level drivers, so it’ll be a great show.”

Merzon, who drove a Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR last year, meanwhile, makes his Flying Lizard debut.

“I’ve enjoyed racing in Pirelli World Challenge series and feel that it’s a perfect avenue for the Case-It brand,” he said.

“Ryan Eversley has been my coach and teammate for years, so I’m glad he and I will be able to race together in the SprintX events and go after the championship.”

Eversley added: “Adam and I have been working together for years and the Lizards are one of the best teams in the business, so I can’t wait to get the season started.

“The SprintX races are really exciting and I think our Case-it machine is going to be a strong contender for the championship.”