Risi Competizione will expand into full-time SRO Motorsports America competition this year, having confirmed an entry for TC America.

The Houston-based squad, which has been a part-time competitor in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with a Ferrari 488 GTE in recent years, has entered an Alfa Romeo Giulietta TCR car for James Walker Jr., marking the team’s foray into the global touring car-based platform.

Walker, a veteran of Ferrari Challenge, will take part in the entire eight-round championship, which kicks off this weekend at Circuit of The Americas.

“I have been focusing on competing in the TCR category since its inception in 2017,” said Walker. “Ferrari Challenge was a great experience, and I am thrilled that the team at Risi Competizione is able to continue on this journey with me.

“Twenty-two years of racing galvanizes the importance of surrounding yourself with the best people and best equipment.

“Risi does both beyond compare. Our two successful years together in Ferrari Challenge will serve as a fantastic platform to launch into TCR.

“Their operation is world-class, and each time I strap in I have 100 percent confidence that they have prepared a car capable of winning.”

Team principal Giuseppe Risi added: “We’ve enjoyed working with James the past two seasons in the Ferrari Challenge series and have seen him succeed as a driver. Early on he expressed his interest to transition to the TCR Class in the TC America Series and we are happy to support him in this endeavor.

“We feel that our racing experience will contribute towards James’ quest for a TCR championship.”

Risi will also take part in this weekend’s Blancpain GT World Challenge America race at COTA with a GT3 Am entry for Pierre Mulacek and Anthony Lazzaro, although it’s believed to be a one-off effort.