Category: IMSA

Florida-based team paced in the top three in every practice session at the Roar Before the Rolex 24

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (22 January 2023) – Jupiter, Florida-based Sean Creech Motorsport (SCM) scored its first pole position at the track it considers home, taking the top spot in the LMP3 class for next weekend’s Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway (Saturday at 1:30 p.m., NBC) – race one of the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Nico Pino powered the No. 33 SCM Exelixis/Focal One/Jerich International Ligier JS P320 to the front of the field as the team gave the 18-year-old Chilean a car that gave him the confidence to head right to the top of the charts.

Drivers João Barbosa, Lance Willsey, Danny Soufi and Pino, along with SCM engineers and mechanics, worked through balance issues in four test sessions (the team chose to sit out the very wet night practice Saturday evening), though they put the No. 33 into the top three in every session. The team also battled through the typically changing Florida weather – with a warm day Friday, rain on Saturday and wind on Sunday.

Pino, who set the team’s quickest lap of the weekend in the second test session on Saturday (with a lap at 1:42.961) held that position after the 15-minute qualifying session, culminating in the team’s second IMSA WeatherTech series pole (the first pole coming last season at Road America) with a lap at 1:43.197.

“This is so special,” said Pino. “To take my first ever pole position at Daytona is amazing. This is a special race for every driver, and it’s a great way to start the season. I had expected oversteer, given how green the track was, but we had a bit of understeer, so we have to work on that – but I think there were four or five tenths left in the car. Now, we need to work on strategy – but it’s good to know we have a clear track in front of us, in terms of LMP3 cars.

“It’s going to be challenging,” continued Pino. “You have to take extra precautions out there, especially with all the LMP2s and hybrid cars out there. If we can survive the first couple of hours when everything is so frantic, and be in a good position, we can go for the win. I’m looking forward to the best result possible – and hopefully taking the watch!”

Team principal Sean Creech has raced at Daytona countless times, but to take pole for the Rolex 24 is a very special moment.

“This is awesome for the entire team,” said Creech. “We struggled with the setup and got it sorted out for qualifying so it’s a good start. The track changes so much – it changed so much from the test last month to now and it will change again before next Saturday. We’ll prep the next two days, take a few hours off, then work on the car in practice next week. The key to the 24 is simple: no mistakes.”

“It’s been a challenging weekend,” said four-time Rolex 24 winner Barbosa. “That car didn’t unload off the truck like we expected but we were quick in every session, which is encouraging. It’s fast, no matter the conditions, and we’ve made good steps forward – and Nico just proved that. It’s a credit the whole team and the work they’ve done, and I’m confident we’ll have a good car for the race. Now it’s up to the Daytona gods to see what they’ll throw at us. Keep the car clean, fuel and tires the whole way, avoid mistakes and penalties and we’ll see what happens.”

“It means the world to the team to be starting on pole for the Rolex 24,” said Willsey, who will contest his 13th Rolex 24. “It means that Sean and the team have built a winning organization. We had a race win and a pole last year and this is sort of a continuation of the experience. We rolled off the trailer and we were far from in the zone with the car; it was a real struggle, but it all came together in qualifying. Now we can put our heads down and get ready for the race – and that’s a whole new ballgame”

“These were my first sessions at Daytona and my first time dealing with lots of traffic,” said Soufi. “Busy is an understatement! There are a lot of cars out there, but I think it’s just about learning to manage the traffic then finding pace. I have good pace, but there is still room to improve. I know a few things I need to do to pick up some time, but the car is very quick. Nico did a fantastic job in qualifying to put it on pole and hopefully we can replicate that next Sunday.”

VP Racing SportsCar Challenge

Willsey also competed in the series’ inaugural doubleheader. Unfortunately, he was hit in both races but battled back to take a seventh-place finish in race one, and fourth in race two.

“I strongly believe the VP series has a strong future in front of it and I think that it has a great format,” said Willsey. “I had my own challenges in the first couple of races with some incidental contact but I had a good car and I can’t complain, it was good fun out there. The racing was good, the two classes I feel intermingled and played well together, which I was very pleasantly surprised by. I think the series has a bright future and I would love to see the grids grow and see where it goes from there. I think it’s great racing.”

SCM thanks partners Exelixis, Focal One and Jerich International for their continued support.

The Rolex 24 At Daytona takes the green flag Saturday at 1:40 p.m. Eastern. The race will be broadcast live in the U.S. on the NBC family of networks, beginning and ending with network NBC. The race will also be live streamed in its entirety on Peacock TV. International viewers can watch via IMSA.tv, with IMSA Radio also available at IMSA.com.

About SCM

Team leader Sean Creech has competed in a multitude of sports car series from 1990 until the present day, including Group C, IMSA GTP, WSC, Grand-Am, SRO World Challenge, and IMSA. SCM will contest the full WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2023 with João Barbosa and Lance Willsey. http://seancreechmotorsport.com/

About Focal One

One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime in the United States. The Focal One® HIFU Prostate treatment offers patients a non-invasive outpatient procedure to target prostate tissue while avoiding the common side effects such as loss of urinary continence and sexual function. The Focal One treatment uses high-performance, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to precisely target and ablate the prostate, allowing patients to quickly return to normal activities.

http://www.focalone.com/

About Jerich International

Jerich International is a family-owned global group of companies that offers large-scale trade and industry customers a holistic logistics approach to freight forwarding through global supply chain management. The company makes use of tailor made concepts, extensive know how and immeasurable experience to set industry-leading practices in logistics. https://www.jerich.com/

Sebastien Bourdais earns second-row start in qualifying for Rolex 24 At Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 22, 2023) — After two years of planning, design and development, Cadillac Racing is eagerly anticipating beginning the new era of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in the Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class with its three Cadillac V-LMDh race cars at the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Qualifying for the 61st edition of the traditional season opener was conducted on a breezy, warm afternoon on the 3.56-mile, 12-turn Daytona International Speedway road course.

Sebastien Bourdais, driving the No. 01 Cadillac V-LMDh, paced the Cadillac contingent with a best lap of 1 minute, 34.262 seconds and will start on the outside of Row 2. Teammate Alex Lynn qualified fifth at 1:34.389 in the No. 02 Cadillac V-LMDh and Pipo Derani posted a best lap of 1:34.608 to qualified sixth in the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-LMDh.

All three Cadillac entries were hampered by a red flag that interrupted the 20-minute qualifying session. Lynn registered only three laps, Bourdais turned four laps and Derani got in six. Tom Blomqvist earned the pole with a lap of 1:34.031 in his Acura AXR-06.

The three Cadillac V-LMDh entries combined to turn 366 laps in six free practice sessions without incident or protracted time on pit lane as they gathered data about mechanical and aerodynamic setups, tire wear and the hybrid system’s performance contributions among other items.

Cadillac Racing teams and drivers will have three free practice sessions Thursday, Jan. 26, and two the next day for final preparations and pit stop/driver change practice before they take the green flag for the race at 1:40 p.m. EST Saturday, Jan. 28.

The electrified Cadillac prototype features an all-new Cadillac 5.5-liter DOHC V8 engine developed by GM’s Performance and Racing propulsion team based in Pontiac, Michigan, with a seven-speed sequential gearbox. IMSA has specified the power output at 670 horsepower, including the hybrid system; weight at 1,030kg without fuel and driver; and a maximum of 8,800 RPM.

Cadillac, the only LMDh manufacturer with a naturally aspirated engine in the GTP class, will seek to build on its legacy of success in the 61st Rolex 24 At Daytona with its fifth overall victory 2017. The list:

  2020 (Renger van der Zande, Ryan Briscoe, Scott Dixon, Kamui Kobayashi)
  2019 (Renger van der Zande, Fernando Alonso; Jordan Taylor, Kamui Kobayashi)
  2018 (Christian Fittipaldi, Filipe Albuquerque, Joao Barbosa)
  2017 (Jeff Gordon, Jordan Taylor, Ricky Taylor, Max Angelelli)

Also since 2017, a Cadillac prototype has recorded 27 victories in IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competition – the most by any manufacturer — and three Manufacturer Championships.

A Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing will be among the Safety Cars for the race that will show the green flag at 1:40 p.m. EST Saturday, Jan. 28.

No. 01 Cadillac V-LMDh (qualified fourth, 1:34.262)

Sebastien Bourdais, Renger van der Zande, Scott Dixon

Bourdais drove in qualifying: “I think that the track from the 15 minutes (extra free practice preceding qualifying) to the end of qualifying where we did our lap the grip on the track was up significantly and we’ve never run that fast and the car felt amazing. Really happy for the Cadillac team and I think it’s a strong start. Obviously, not the goal but as close as we can get without getting it. I think it bodes well for the race so now it’s just about executing and making no mistakes and hoping that the gods of electronics are with us for 24 hours.”

No. 02 Cadillac V-LMDh (qualified fifth, 1:34.389)

Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn, Richard Westbrook

Lynn drove in qualifying: “Pretty happy, to be honest. We made a lot of improvements on the car the last couple of days and I think where we ended up with the balance was great. We’ll see what next week brings.”

No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-LMDh (qualified sixth, 1:34.608)

Pipo Derani, Alexander Sims, Jack Aitken

Derani drove in qualifying: “It wasn’t the luckiest qualifying session for me. I had two tentative laps before the red flag, which doesn’t help because of tire wear. I tried it again one last time but by that time the car wasn’t perfect, and obviously without a reference it’s hard to know what to do. In general, I think the car is working well and the most important thig is we have a good car for the race. That’s our goal.”

About Cadillac

A leading luxury auto brand since 1902, Cadillac is growing globally, driven by an expanding product portfolio that features distinctive design and technology. More information on Cadillac appears at www.cadillac.com.

Notebook: Preparations for qualifying, race continue
Drivers of three Cadillac V-LMDh race cars aim for fourth Rolex 24 pole since ’17

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 21, 2023) — Every test session is a learning opportunity with the new Cadillac V-LMDh race car.

Full fuel runs and work on incremental performance gains were among the main points of the test program on the second day of the Roar Before the Rolex 24 as Cadillac Racing continued preparations for the 61st Rolex 24 At Daytona.

The three Cadillac V-LMDh race cars combined for 209 laps in the three test sessions totaling 270 minutes in changeable weather conditions on the 3.56-mile, 12-turn Daytona International Speedway road course. With a drying circuit under the lights, the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-LMDh was among the four cars in the Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class to venture onto the track in the two-hour session and turned 18 laps.

“We starting to get more and more prepared each run, each session with driver changes, refueling, getting used to all the cars around and test the car in the rain,” said Earl Bamber, co-driver of the No. 02 Cadillac V-LMDh. “I think session by session we feel better about qualifying on Sunday.”

The 20-minute qualifying session for the Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class is scheduled for 2:40 p.m. ET Jan. 22. Peacock will provide streaming coverage of qualifying starting at 1:25 p.m. Cadillac earned the pole for the twice-around-the-clock race in 2017, 2018 and ’21 in the DPi era.

“We did a really long run. It was nice to do a full stint all the way through, then stop and fill up the tank and see that difference between the first fuel fill with a new set of tires and fuel fill and a used set,” said Alexander Sims, co-driver of the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-LMDh after the late afternoon session. “Useful information. It’s just a test session but so many cars on track there is stuff happening all the time, which is useful for running in traffic during the race.”

Added Ranger van der Zande, co-driver of the No. 01 Cadillac V-LMDh: “I think we made good steps to control the systems that we have on this car. It’s a complicated car and I think we have a good group from General Motors, Ganassi, Dallara and Bosch. We want to make sure everybody is facing the same way, so that’s a good base to move forward from. Today, we started to dial in our group more and more.”

The electrified Cadillac prototype features an all-new Cadillac 5.5-liter DOHC V8 engine developed by GM’s Performance and Racing propulsion team based in Pontiac, Michigan, with a seven-speed sequential gearbox. IMSA has specified the power output at 670 horsepower, including the hybrid system; weight at 1,030kg without fuel and driver; and a maximum of 8,800 RPM.

Cadillac, the only LMDh manufacturer with a naturally aspirated engine for the new prototype in the GTP class, will seek to build on its legacy of success in the 61st Rolex 24 At Daytona with its fifth overall victory 2017.

Sporting championship rings

Members of Action Express Racing were presented rings for their 2021 IMSA DPi team championship season by George “Sonny” Whelen and Christine Whelen – owners of Whelen Engineering, the primary sponsor on the No. 31 Cadillac V-LMDh.

Whelen Engineering first partnered with Action Express Racing in 2015.

“It’s a little emotional because we won the championship in 2021 and it shows that despite all the (medical) issues they’ve had they still consider us part of their family,” said Pipo Derani, the ’21 DPi driver champion. “To come back here and do this amazing gesture for all of us is fantastic. It shows what kind of people they are and it’s great to be part of a fantastic group like this.”

Since 1952, the Whelen Engineering Company has been a global leader in the design and manufacturing of reliable and powerful warning lights, white illumination lighting, sirens, controllers and high-powered warning systems for automotive, aviation and mass notification industries.

Collaboration from the start

From the outset, Cadillac Racing and its drivers have been instrumental in developing the Michelin GTP class tires for the 2023 season both on the Dallara and Chevrolet simulators and during on-track testing.

“The tire is probably the most critical component on the car in that it’s the only place that the entire car connects to the ground and the car itself is built around the tire,” GM sports car racing program manager Laura Wontrop Klauser said. “The tire and the suspension need to work together or otherwise you’ll be fighting the car constantly.

“So, developing the tire with Michelin from the beginning was critical in making sure our car performed. Between the simulation that we’ve done, the many miles we’ve put on the car, the countless feedback sessions we’ve had with Michelin working together, that collaboration has given us a great package because ultimately the car is the sum of its parts.”

GTP teams have 33 sets of Michelin tires (12 soft “low temperature” and 21 soft “high temperature”) at their disposal for this weekend and the sessions leading into the twice-around-the-clock race. They will have 21 sets total for the race.

Did you know about the unicorn?

Jack Aitken, endurance driver of the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-LMDh incorporated a unicorn in his helmet design. “The core design on the side is my logo, so it’s a big JA. My painter is kind of a made genius who lives in The Netherlands and he made the initials out of geometry shapes, like a mosaic, and put some tartan in there for your Scottish heritage and some of the colors of the Korean flag. On the back is a unicorn in the same motif and that’s because the national animal of Scotland is a unicorn. Most people are shocked when I tell them. It’s like a cool conversation piece.” … Earl Bamber, co-driver of the No. 02 Cadillac V-LMDh, drove in the 24H Dubai last weekend. The Grove Motorsports team finished fourth in the GT3 class. “I treated it as a good warm-up for the Rolex 24,” he said.

About Cadillac

A leading luxury auto brand since 1902, Cadillac is growing globally, driven by an expanding product portfolio that features distinctive design and technology. More information on Cadillac appears at www.cadillac.com.

ST. LOUIS, MO., (January 21, 2023) – As a new sports car racing season begins this month, Mike Johnson will lead Archangel Motorsports into its 25th year of operations, in what is set up to be a busy year for the team. With programs in four professional sports car racing championships already confirmed, and a fifth under consideration, the championship-winning effort is open for business, ready to take on the 2023 season.

“I can’t believe we are starting our 25th year,” said Johnson. “I started this in the back of a shop in Orlando 25 years ago, moved it to Road Atlanta for our Grand-Am and American Le Mans Series years, and have been back home in St. Louis since 2020. We have been running programs for quite a few teams over the last year years, and it will be another busy year running races in three to four series this year.”

Johnson founded Archangel in 1998, beginning with formula racing before starting the transition to sports cars in 2000, earning back-to-back championships in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series. The team has continued a championship and race-winning streak, celebrating victory at iconic races such as the Rolex 24 At Daytona and 24 Hours of Le Mans.

This year, the team will campaign programs in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, VP Racing SportsCar Challenge, International GT (IGT), GT America Powered by AWS, and Pirelli GT4 America, with the possibility of a few World Racing League (WRL) entries as well.

Johnson has partnered his company racing an Aston Martin Vantage GT4 with Todd Coleman Racing, with Coleman making his debut this month in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge at Daytona, and later participating in the Michelin Pilot Challenge. Coleman will also make appearances in the new IMSA VP Racing Series, GT America, and GT4 America.

The team will also partner with Scott Blind and Ruckus Racing, running a Porsche GT3 Cup Car in IGT, and select rounds of SRO America’s GT4 racing series.

“Scott is also considering racing in WRL, which would be a great opportunity for all,” said Johnson. “It’s a strong series with a competitive field. It’s great for customer racing, providing a strong product at a fair price. I look forward to the possibility of growing our footprint there. We’ve proven we can run a variety of cars and programs successfully, and we’re excited for what’s ahead.”

Archangel’s first race of the season takes place this month at Daytona International Speedway, with the BMW M Endurance Challenge at Daytona. Todd Coleman Racing with Archangel Motorsports will participate in the four-hour endurance event in the No. 69 Aston Martin Vantage GT4, on Friday, January 27 at 1:45 PM ET. The race will air live on Peacock, beginning at 1:35 PM ET.

• Jim Jonsin to Release Motorsport-Inspired Album “Fueled By 808 Vol.1” Featuring a Song Unveiled at Each 2023 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Race
• Jonsin, Tom Long and Brett Sandberg Co-Drive No. 9 “No Limits” Aston Martin Vantage GT4 Alongside Automatic Racing Regulars Rob Ecklin and Ramin Abdolvahabi in the No. 09 Stoner Car Care Aston Martin Vantage GT4 at IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge Daytona Opener

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (January 20, 2023) – Automatic Racing’s recently announced expansion to a two-car Aston Martin Vantage GT4 team with Jim Jonsin and Rebel Rock Racing for next week’s season-opening IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway is going to deliver maximum excitement and entertainment both on and off the track this season.

Jonsin, an accomplished and Grammy Award winning record producer, songwriter, DJ and music industry businessman, and Rebel Rock have put together a special treat for motorsports enthusiasts with an ear for good music. Not only will his Aston Martin Vantage GT4 echo around the track in next Friday’s four-hour opener, Jonsin is also producing an upcoming Rebel Rock/EMPIRE records label album inspired by his dual passions for motorsports and music.

“I grew up in mechanic shops with my dad and uncles, I was always around cars,” Jonsin said. “I’ve been making music ever since I was 15 years old, so trying to find a way to merge the two and be involved in both has always been a challenge because it’s demanding. But I love them both and being able to release music through the series and with NBC is great, especially with artists like Jimmie Allen, Austin Mahone and Kid Rock, it’s all so exciting.”

Jonsin plans to release one song at each round of the 2023 Michelin Pilot Challenge for a season-long, 10-track collaboration featuring various artists. The complete album will be released at the end of year.

For the Daytona opener, Rebel Rock and EMPIRE will release the first single, “No Limits,” next Friday, January 27th featuring Kid Rock, Jimmie Allen, Austin Mahone and Striking Matches. The song will be available across all streaming platforms.

“The concept of merging music with racing, creating music that feels like you’re listening to an actual race car on the radio, is impossible,” Jonsin said. “However, we came up with some ideas, like the ‘No Limits’ song featuring Kid Rock, Jimmie Allen and Austin Mahone. We’re hoping the first song takes off and becomes a No. 1 hit.”

Prior to a press conference held today at Daytona International Speedway, Jonsin, his son Tristan, Automatic Racing Team Owner David Russell and their teammates Tom Long and Brett Sandberg unveiled the Aston Martin Vantage GT4. The No. 9 features an eye-catching “No Limits” livery for the debut race of this season-long merger of rising stars, legendary musicians and the flat-out thrills that sports car racing delivers.

Russell is a long-time IMSA, GRAND-AM and international sports car racing competitor as both a team owner and driver. Under his leadership, Automatic won what was then the GRAND-AM Grand Sports (GS) class championship in 2007 and finished third in GS in 2008. Long and Sandberg have been among Russell’s drivers over the years and are returning to a familiar team at Daytona alongside teammates Rob Ecklin and Ramin Abdolvahabi in the No. 09 Stoner Car Care Aston Martin Vantage GT4

“It’s very flattering to be involved with Jim,” Russell said. “I am very proud to be part of the group to go ahead and facilitate a successful run for Jim.”

Long raced with Automatic racing early in his career and scored a Michelin Pilot Challenge class victory at Daytona in 2018 in addition to co-driving to a third-place GT finish in the 2011 Rolex 24 At Daytona.

“It’s a bit of a homecoming to be back with David Russell and Automatic Racing,” Long said. “The Aston Martin Vantage GT4 is a phenomenal car, so to be here with Jim and Brett, and to be promoting the ‘No Limits’ song is awesome. It got off to a great start this morning. It feels right at home, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the rest of the week holds for us.”

Sandberg returns to Automatic Racing after last racing with the team nearly a decade ago.

“Just the ability to come back with a familiar program and familiar teammates is great,” Sandberg said. “I think Jim and I go back over 10 years ago, and David and I at least eight years ago. I am really excited to bring this all together in a new facet and with some familiar faces. I am excited to see what we can do here at Daytona.”

Pilot Challenge teams and drivers are on track for five total practice sessions during this weekend’s Roar Before the Rolex 24 At Daytona test weekend. They will be back on track on Wednesday, January 25, for the start of the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona. The four-hour Michelin Pilot Endurance Challenge opener is scheduled to start at 1:45 p.m. EST on Friday, January 27th.

Notebook: New prototype makes competition debut
Validating complex system components, beginning car set-up among objectives

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 20, 2023) — For starters, it was a productive day.

Cadillac Racing’s three new hybrid prototype race cars made their IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competition debut in two practice sessions on the 3.56-mile, 12-turn Daytona International Speedway road course on the first day of preparation for the 61st Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Resources: Cadillac Racing media info for Roar and Rolex 24 At Daytona | Livery reveal video

Validating the complex operating system components and beginning work on car set-up for performance while running for the first time in traffic were among objectives for the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-LMDh co-driven by Pipo Derani, Alexander Sims and Jack Aitken, the No. 01 Cadillac V-LMDh co-driven by Sebastien Bourdais, Renger van der Zande and Scott Dixon, and the No. 02 Cadillac V-LMDh co-driven by Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn and Richard Westbrook.

Cadillac cars totaled 142 laps, with the No. 01 Cadillac V-LMDh leading the charge with a best lap of 1 minute, 35.585 seconds. The No. 02 Cadillac V-LMDh recorded a best lap of 1:36.013 and the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-LMDh posted a best lap of 1:37.128.

“All in all, a pretty positive day for Cadillac Racing,” Bamber said. “It’s a new era so there’s a lot of excitement around the paddock and great to see so many fans out already. We have two new cars, so we’re getting everything ironed out as we go along and learning constantly like throughout the development phase we’re still learning. I think pace was good today and we’ll keep going faster.”

Van der Zande agreed: “The second session we ran all the way and made some nice improvements on the cars and the systems that are on the car. That’s what you need to do at the Roar is chip away and make things better.”

Said Aitken, who is making his first start in the Rolex 24 At Daytona and saw the bulk of the laps in the afternoon session: “It was busy out there and good to get a feel for how it is going to be in the race. We were not necessarily looking for clean laps because we’ll have to deal with the traffic in the race. It was finding a rhythm, getting past people and doing it without taking too much risk. The car was solid. We have a good baseline from the test in December and the track is still rubbering in so it has low grip at the moment. It’s going to get better and better as the week goes on.”

In the opening session, teams essentially went through a shakedown of the new cars.

“Both cars are virtually new so it’s a lot of in and out laps, checking sensors, checking calibrations. This car depends a lot more on the data that it is generating itself to run itself,” Chip Ganassi Racing global director of operations Mike O’Gara. “Things like tire pressures, brake pressures, brake temperatures — things that were important before – are mission critical. So we have to make sure all those basic things work before all the other systems like the hybrid system, the electronic brake bias work properly. We were making sure all those things worked right before we start pushing om the rest of the systems.”

Three sessions totaling 270 minutes are scheduled for Jan. 21, with the 20-minute qualifying session at 2:40 p.m. ET Jan. 22. Peacock will provide streaming coverage of qualifying starting at 1:25 p.m.

The Cadillac prototype features an all-new Cadillac 5.5-liter DOHC V8 engine developed by GM’s Performance and Racing propulsion team based in Pontiac, Michigan, with a seven-speed sequential gearbox. IMSA has specified the power output at 670 horsepower, including the hybrid system; weight at 1,030kg without fuel and driver; and a maximum of 8,800 RPM.

Cadillac, the only LMDh manufacturer with a naturally aspirated engine for the new prototype in the GTP class, will seek to build on its legacy of success in the 61st Rolex 24 At Daytona with its fifth overall victory 2017.

Conditioning for endurance race and season

Leading into the nine-race GTP calendar has been the off-season work outside the race car that prepares the Cadillac Racing drivers for the physicality and rigors of racing.

With a heavier and more powerful car with less downforce, longer stints than previous years and unknown factors of the new race car, “You need to keep your fitness up particularly because our first race is a 24-hour race, which is quite unique in motorsports, so you have to be ready from the word go,” according to Richard Westbrook.

Added Sebastien Bourdais: “The years of experience helps you to know exactly where you need to be physically to not to have any issues inside the car, which is all you really care about unless you want to prepare for an ironman. The biggest thing that is hard to quantify and hard to prepare for because every physiology is different is the heat inside the car. That can demolish your physical abilities really rapidly once you overheat. That’s the one unknown with the new car because they tend to be very hot with the batteries inside the cockpit. It’s one extra factor.”

Cycling, rowing, running and weight training are all parts of conditioning regimens.

“I think the physicality of endurance racing is right up there with any form of motorsports, because these cars are seriously fast with a lot of G forces and we have to stay in there and give our absolute maximum for two to three hours at a time, which is a lot. I do a lot of work in the gym and also on the bike to get an all-around fitness because you have to be strong enough to muscle the car but also have the stamina to last for hours at a time,” Alex Lynn said.

Said Pipo Derani: “I try to mix all of that – some days doing weights and cardio together then other days doing longer periods of cardio to make sure my heart is good. That’s the balance I find works for me. The more cardio I do the easier it is in terms of brain capacity later into the run. You see easily after you’ve been in the car very long that your brain can start taking some time to make decisions, and that’s really because there’s not enough oxygen. Once you train your cardiovascular condition to be bigger and better, you delay that feeling to later into the run. It’s different when you train in a gym with the air conditioning, you don’t quite put yourself into an extreme situation.”

Jack Aitken, endurance race driver of the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-LMDh, added rock climbing to his regimen.

“Grip strength is very important for us, and it also involves decision-making under physical pressure — something that is valuable in the car too,” he said. “The bike always proves to be a great head-clearer, as you can head out for a proper adventure for hours and hours.”

Decade of competing in the U.S.

Renger van der Zande’s helmet design for 2023 commemorates his 10th year of racing in the U.S. He is a two-time winner of the Rolex 24 At Daytona (2019, 2020) both with Cadillac Racing. … Teammate Scott Dixon is competing in his 20th Rolex 24 At Daytona. He is a four-time winner. … GTP teams have 33 sets of Michelin tires (12 soft “low temperature” and 21 soft “high temperature”) at their disposal for this weekend and the sessions leading into the twice-around-the-clock race. They will have 21 sets total for the race.

About Cadillac

A leading luxury auto brand since 1902, Cadillac is growing globally, driven by an expanding product portfolio that features distinctive design and technology. More information on Cadillac appears at www.cadillac.com.

Houston, Texas (January 19, 2023) … Risi Competizione is pleased to announce its plans to compete in the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup (IMEC) in the GTD Pro class for the 2023 season.

As winners of the 2022 IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup in GTD Pro class with last year’s Ferrari 488 GT3 car, this year the Houston, Texas-based team will compete in their new Ferrari 296 GT3, set for its debut at the Rolex 24 At Daytona, January 28-29.

The IMSA Michelin Endurance Championship schedule, in addition to the Daytona 24, will include the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in Sebring, Fla. March 18, the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen in Watkins Glen, N.Y., June 25 and Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, Braselton, Ga., October 14.

“After our success in winning the IMSA Michelin Endurance GTD Pro Championship last year, it was important to return this year to defend the honor with the new Ferrari 296 GT3,” said Team Principal Giuseppe Risi.

Drivers for the Rolex 24 include the two IMSA Michelin Endurance GTD Pro Champions Davide Rigon and Daniel Serra, along with World Endurance GT champions James Calado and Alessandro Pier Guidi, all Ferrari Competizioni GT factory drivers. Rigon and Serra will defend their IMEC driver championships with Risi Competizione. Additional drivers have not yet been announced to join the duo.

Being awarded Michelin Endurance Cup takes strategy because points, separate from the season championship, are awarded at various junctures throughout races. Points are awarded at each juncture – five for the class leader, four points for second place, three points for third and two points for all other competitors. At Daytona, for example, points are available at the six-, 12-, 18- and 24-hour marks; Watkins Glen pays a bonus at midway (three hours) and race end. This keeps the teams on their toes with their strategy throughout the entire race.
For more information, please go to www.risicompetizione.com and follow us on Facebook/RisiCompetizione, Twitter @RisiComp and Instagram @RisiComp.

Continues LMP3 program as VP Racing SportsCar Challenge debuts this weekend

Daytona, Fla. (18 January 2023) – Jr III (“Junior Three”) Racing will open the 2023 season being a part of history as the team is set to compete in the all-new VP Racing SportsCar Challenge (VPSC) during the Roar Before the 24 weekend at Daytona International Speedway. The inaugural event weekend is the first for the new IMSA championship, which features a 45 minute sprint format with two classes: LMP3 prototype machines as well as GT4 entries, known as the GSX class in VPSC.

Jr III Is looking forward to its first outing with new driver Bijoy Garg, who will be making his sports car debut in the No. 3 S2 Cyber Ligier JS P320. The team has a well-established record of success with the Ligier LMP3 platform, having competed in both the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship as well as the now-defunct Prototype Challenge.

The Daytona event will see Garg look to learn quickly as the rapid fire weekend builds to a double header with a pair of thirty-minute practice sessions, a quick fifteen-minute qualifying round, and then two 45-minute races. Garg has experience with the high-intensity schedule, having competed in the USF 2000 ranks ahead of his sports car debut.

“I am excited to see how the format works,” said Billy Glavin III, owner of Jr III Racing. “We have never run a sprint race in an LMP3, so it will be interesting to see how it works without pit stops and a longer race to settle into. Operating from the hot side of the pit wall will be a new experience. I am interested to see how it all works and what the field is like.”

The weekend will mark several firsts for Garg as he embarks on his IMSA debut.

“Bijoy has never been to Daytona or raced an LMP3, so he will have many new experiences, but we are excited about the potential,” continued Glavin. “He is excited about stepping into sports car racing for the first time, and we are excited to have him behind the wheel. There are a lot of unknowns so I think everyone is excited to get down there and see what the VP Racing Challenge series is like.”

With the added complexity that a multi-class race format brings, the VPSC debut weekend will be a learning one for everyone as the championship opens with the Daytona doubleheader.

“One of the biggest challenges going from IPC to VPSC will be how the new format works and managing traffic on the track,” said Glavin. “Mixing in the GT4s with the LMP3s should not be an issue for the first half of the race, but eventually, the LMP3s will catch the GT4s and getting through the field cleanly will be a challenge. Some of the LMP3 drivers are known to us from IPC and WeatherTech, but there are a lot of new drivers in the field, including Bijoy, so it will be challenging to learn how to race each of them.”

The season-opening IMSA event will kick off a big season for Jr III Racing, which is set for a return to WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competition as the team builds on a strong rookie season in the top-level category in 2022. With a returning driver line up of Garett Grist and Ari Balogh, the team is well placed to continue to generate results that match the level of preparation from the team. The Jr III WeatherTech effort will kick off at Sebring International Raceway for the 12 Hour on March 15-18.

The season opener at Daytona will begin with two practices on Friday, January 20th. The green flag for race one will drop on Saturday afternoon (2:05 PM EST), followed by the second race on Sunday (12:20 PM EST). Both races will have live coverage on Peacock TV.

IPC Highlights

Jr III Racing started IMSA program in 2019, Kris Wilson won the Bronze Cup at Road Atlanta

2020 Jr III Racing competed in five IPC events with a highest finish of 5th

Jr III Racing earned two second-place finishes and a third place finish in 2021 at VIR, Mid-Ohio and Road Atlanta

2022 Jr III Racing earned a podium finish at Mid-Ohio.

Deland, Fla. (January 18, 2022) — The No. 93 Harrison Contracting Company Acura NSX GT3 Evo22 hits the track this week for practice and qualifying as the team begins their maiden campaign in the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech Series Michelin Endurance Cup at the Roar Before the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway. The RELY on Red Acura machine will be piloted by Ashton Harrison, Kyle Marcelli, Danny Formal and Ryan Briscoe. The No. 93 Harrison Contracting Company Acura GT3 effort by Racers Edge Motorsports will be in partnership with Wayne Taylor Racing (WTR) with Andretti Autosport.

The Roar Before the Rolex 24 is the traditional lead up event to the prestigious Rolex 24-hour race to kick off the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. The event is comprised of the first official 2023 on-track sessions for competitors, culminating in the Sunday afternoon qualifying sessions to set the grid for the 61st running of America’s most prestigious endurance event which will appropriately include a field of 61 entries in five classes of sportscars.

Ashton Harrison made her IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar series debut in the 2022 Mobil 12 Hours of Sebring in the GTD Pro class with Racers Edge Motorsports and then went on to claim the 2022 SRO Pro-Am championship with the team, winning 4 races along the way. Harrison is also a veteran of four seasons in the IMSA sanctioned Lamborghini Super Trofeo (LST) series with Wayne Taylor Racing. For 2023, she enters her first full season in the top-tier IMSA series with the first green flag at the Roar. Seasoned sportscar veteran Kyle Marcelli also joined Harrison at Sebring in 2022 for a top-10 result in the Acura NSX GT3 Evo22. Marcelli and the teams’ third endurance driver, Danny Formal, have shared the stable with Harrison, so the three will bring their experience together into the Racers Edge with WTRAndretti pit box. Three-time Rolex 24 winner Ryan Briscoe will join the trio for the twice-around-the-clock kickoff of the 2023 season.

The No. 93 Harrison Contracting Acura NSX GT3 Evo22 begins practice sessions this Friday around Daytona International Speedway’s historic 3.56-mile, 12-turn road course circuit.

The Roar Before the 24, the qualifying event for the 2023 Rolex 24 At DAYTONA, runs January 20th-22nd with qualifying at 1:25 p.m. ET on the 22nd. Full coverage can be streamed on IMSA.TV starting at 1:20 p.m. ET. Practice for the Rolex 24 starts on January 26th, with the green flag for the legendary endurance race waving on the 28th at 1:40 p.m. Live coverage is available on Peacock for the full 24-hour cycle, alternate coverage on USA Network, and the final hours and victory celebrations available on NBC starting at 12:00 p.m. ET on the 29th.

No 93 Harrison Contracting Company Acura NSX GT3 Evo 22 DRIVER QUOTES:

Kyle Marcelli:
“I’m very much looking forward to the 61st running of the Rolex 24 in the No 93 Harrison Contracting Acura NSX GT3 Evo22. It’s obviously a challenging and grueling race—essentially The Super Bowl of sports car racing to start off the season. There’s no question that the GTD class is arguably the most competitive category and most difficult category to win. We have good tools and a strong driver lineup, a strong team in Racers Edge Motorsports with WTRAndretti, strong car in the NSX platform, and we definitely have a chance at that podium. We need to execute to the best of our ability and hope for a little bit of luck, and the result will take care of itself. We have a great shot at it, and I’m very excited for the race.”

Ashton Harrison:
“I’m super excited for the Roar and to get back behind the wheel of the No 93 Harrison Contracting Company Acura NSX GT3 Evo22. I’ve been preparing and working hard since our test in December. We’ve had some calls and meetings as a team to really start to gel and everyone has high expectations for each other and for WTR Andretti, so I think the Racers Edge team is planning to come out of the gate strong. We’ll see how we stack up to the other teams after this week, and can then be even more prepared for the 24. I’m anxious to get started at my first Roar event. I think it’s just so special I get to share this experience and this season with Racers Edge Motorsports with WTRAndretti and my teammates.”

Ryan Briscoe:
“I’m excited to head back to Daytona and get behind the wheel of the No 93 Harrison Contracting Acura NSX GT3 Evo22 with a chance to win another Rolex. When I last teamed with WTR in 2020, we finished on the top step of the podium. But my wife is super needy and says she needs one for each wrist. I also have 2 daughters who really like shiny objects. Most importantly, the partnership between Racers Edge Motorsports and WTRAndretti puts us in a great spot to win in a very competitive GTD class, and I really look forward to working with Ashton, Kyle and Danny. You never take these opportunities for granted.”

Danny Formal:
“This will be my first Roar Before the 24 and Rolex 24, and I’m super excited to be a part of the Racers Edge Motorsports with WTRAndretti and this amazing racing family, and to share the No 93 Harrison Contracting Acura NSX GT3 Evo22 with Ashton, Ryan and Kyle. We developed a great relationship in the test we did in early December, and I’m getting to know everyone on the Racers Edge crew. Their resume speaks for itself and I’m looking forward to being part of this Michelin Endurance Cup program this year in IMSA. I’m ready to give all I have, and hopefully in two weeks’ time, we’ll all have that shiny new Rolex.”

About Harrison Contracting
Harrison Contracting Company, Inc. (HCC) is a commercial painting and facility maintenance contracting company headquartered in Villa Rica, GA with divisional offices in Florida and Texas. HCC provides repainting/reimaging and facility maintenance services nationwide, and new construction painting across the southeastern US. At HCC, red is more than the company color, its culture. RED stands for Reliable, Experienced, and Diligent, and is the cornerstone for all we do. We are more than just your painter; we are your partner.

Racers Edge Motorsports with WTRAndretti is also proudly sponsored by Acura Motorsports and Honda Performance Development (HPD).

SAINT CHARLES, ILL. (January 17, 2023) — As AO Racing makes their IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship debut this month at the Roar Before the 24 and Rolex 24 At Daytona, the team will pay special tribute to a previous race winner highlighting the livery of the No. 80 Porsche 911 GT3 R. The new GTD class team will begin the season racing the livery of the 1983 race-winning Porsche, the No. 6 Swap Shop ANDIAL Porsche 935, driven by Preston Henn, AJ Foyt, Bob Wollek and Claude Ballot-Lena. The livery has a personal connection to not one, but two of the 2023 drivers. PJ Hyett currently owns the historic 935 on which Gunnar Jeannette’s father, Kevin, was the crew chief. The car was built by motorsport legend Alwin Springer, former president of and now consultant to Porsche Motorsport North America.

“I’ve literally grown up around the Swap Shop 935, Preston Henn and Alwin Springer,” reflected Gunnar Jeanette. “To have PJ acquire the car from the Henn Family and for us to be able to do this tribute at our first 24 Hours with AO Racing and Porsche is very special. I hope all the fans can enjoy the livery and get to know the special story which this car helped create in 1983.”

Forty years ago, the 935’s attempt at what was then the 1983 24 Hour Pepsi Challenge at Daytona was anything but boring. Henn, an American entrepreneur and founder of Swap Shop, teamed with Frenchmen Wollek and Ballot-Lena for the 24-hour endurance racing event. Foyt joined the team mid-race after his original car, an Aston Martin-Nimrod NRA/C2, retired only 121 laps into the race. Though Henn jumped at the opportunity to put a 24 Hours of Le Mans and four-time Indianapolis 500 winner in the car, Wollek famously objected, noting his lack of experience in the Porsche 935, and a 15-year absence from sports car racing.

After a quick briefing on the car’s shift pattern from crew chief Kevin Jeannette mid-race, Foyt joined the fray, setting the fastest lap of the race in a downpour. In the end, the Swap Shop squad came back from two blown turbochargers and a 12-lap deficit to take the checkered flag with a six-lap lead. The events of the day created one of the more memorable and unique race wins in Rolex 24 history.

Hyett, American software developer and co-founder of internet hosting service GitHub, first met Jeannette through vintage racing. The pairing has come together as friends and co-drivers as Hyett continues to build his sports car racing career. The duo most recently finished in second place at the FIA World Endurance Championship’s 8 Hours of Bahrain with Ben Barnicoat completing the entry.

To mark the occasion, the original No. 6 Swap Shop ANDIAL Porsche 935 will journey to Daytona International Speedway this week alongside the No. 80 Porsche 911 GT3 R, 40 years after its momentous win. The pair of cars will have a special, on track side-by-side photo shoot before the modern entry begins the Roar Before the 24, the first official test of the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech season. The 61st Rolex 24 At Daytona begins on Saturday, January 28 at 1:40 PM, airing live on NBC for the first hour, or flag-to-flag on Peacock. For more information, visit imsa.com.