NASA NorCal member Peter Hopelain, seen here with his wife and son before the 2018 25 Hours of Thunderhill, has been named the new series leader for the NASA Western Endurance Racing Challenge series.

In a changing of the guard for the Western Endurance Racing Challenge series, the National Auto Sport Association has named Peter Hopelain the new series leader, replacing longtime series leader Neil Daly.

“Neil Daly was instrumental in helping the WERC series grow and prosper, and we’re grateful for the time he devoted to the program’s success,” said NASA National Chairman Ryan Flaherty, adding that Daly will remain involved with the series as the WERC team adviser. “Now that he’s decided to move on, we’re looking forward to what Peter Hopelain can deliver for the series.”

A passionate and dedicated endurance racer, Hopelain has been racing in the WERC series and the 25 Hours of Thunderhill for years. His team, Technik Racing, has two third-place finishes and one class win at the 25-hour race. A real estate agent by day in San Carlos, Calif., Hopelain brings a wealth of motorsports and business experience to his role as WERC series leader.

“I’m excited and flattered. Anyone who knows me, or listens to the Technik podcast, knows I am a massive WERC fan/racer,” Hopelain said. “I have always believed that WERC racing is the best money-to-speed, to-track-time series out there. I get to build upon what the past leaders have helped create, and I hope to streamline certain parts of the series and to promote growth in each of the classes. The teams that race WERC now are some of the best, and because of that, I believe WERC’s potential has just been tapped.”

The WERC series uses a comprehensive set of rules that allows for any racing car to be classed to participate. Teams consisting of just a single driver to five drivers compete against the clock, the track and other teams for victory. For more information, visit the series website here.

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