Defend Grand-Am Rolex GT champion Jeff Segal Launches New N. 61 AIM R.Ferri with Ferrari in Rolex 24 hours of Daytona testing

The two-time reigning GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series GT champion Jeff Segal officially kicked off his title defense Friday at the Roar Before the Rolex 24 hours of Daytona debut on the track of the new No. 61 AIM Racing R.Ferri Motorsport Ferrari F458.

Segal will run throughout the 2013 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series season with new teammate Max Papis, for the first time in the past six years has partnered with a driver other than Emil Assentato. Segal and Assentato co-led the championship GT 2012, the second duo in the last three years, but will guide other AIM / R.Ferri Ferrari this season.

Born in Italy, Papis in 2004 GRAND-AM Rolex Replica Sports Car Series Daytona Prototype co-champion and 2002 Rolex 24 winner. Segal and Papis will co-drive the No. 61 R.Ferri AIM Racing Motorsport Ferrari with entrance through a new collaboration between AIM and Remo Ferri.

"The partnership between AIM and Remo Ferri has enormous potential, and I'm really excited for the full season with Max Papis," said Segal. "It is a name that has been around for a long time in sports car racing, IndyCar, Formula 1 and NASCAR."

Segal and his No. 61 AIM / R.Ferri teammates chose to sit first practice Friday because of constant rain. Absent, which is a top driver in the No. 69 AIM Autosport Team FXDD Ferrari, also joined his team in the transmission of session wet.

"A little bit" of a slow start today, "said Segal." Like every other time, it did not do a service. No one wants their first laps with a brand new car to be in the rain. So we waited a bit, "and then in the afternoon we went out and worked through 'agenda, as you would have with a brand new car."

The weather improved and Segal took to the track for the second practice session on Friday. After he and his teammates completed 18 laps in the session, the No. 61 R.Ferri AIM Motorsport Racing with Ferrari team move its attention in the next two days of testing in order to improve the car before the Rolex 24 hours of Daytona.

"We have a lot of things done, I'm very happy," said Segal. "There is still much work to be done before it is really ready to race, and that's why we are here."

Segal and Papis will co-drive the No. 61 AIM / R.Ferri with Ferrari with a European talent Giancarlo Fisichella and Toni Vilander Rolex 24 hours of Daytona.

Test Roar Replica Rolex continues to Daytona on Saturday and Sunday.

Grand-Am: Rum Bum ready for the Rolex 24 debut with Audi

Rum Bum Racing will build the team in 2012 GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Championship with a first campaign in the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, which competes in the GT class of the Rolex Watches Series with the Audi R8 GRAND-AM.

Rum Bum Racing driver and team manager Matt Plumb will be joined by Frank Biela Audi Sport drivers Christopher Haase GT1 World Champion Markus Winkelhock in the No. 13 Rum Bum Racing Series Audi R8 GRAND-AM Rolex Replica which opens the 2013 season Sports Car at Daytona International Speedway on January 26. Strengthening efforts Rum Bum Racing, Audi Sport customer racing will provide engineering support and parts needed.

Team owner Luis Bacardi Rum Bum Racing developed as an organization that has been able to succeed at any level of competition. Joe Varde led group has extensive experience in acting at the famous Daytona International Speedway, located just an hour north of the shop race team based in Orlando.

The group burst onto the scene with a win in Grand-Am at Daytona in 2010, his first, and then followed this effort to support the Daytona pole and a repeat victory in 2011. Rum Bum finished fifth in the event last year, Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge took place before the 50th anniversary of the Rolex 24 since the team began the season champion.

"Mr. Bacardi and the rest of the Rum Bum Racing team are excited to enter the Rolex Series GT competition with a winning record as Audi," offered Plumb. "They are world renowned for their excellence on and off the track and know clearly what it takes to win."

After leading the race in his first Daytona Prototype, a seven Plumb Replica Rolex 24 At Daytona starts under his belt, and he is very anxious to eighth. It helps Rum Bum Racing transition to an even bigger, he is quick to credit Audi for your program.

"The career of Audi customer has been a pleasure to deal with and went out of their way to make sure we have everything we need to be competitive," said Plumb. "I got the opportunity to do a few laps in the car, and I was very impressed. Clearly have done considerable work in the development of the Audi R8 GRAND-AM, and I can not wait to drive it again Roar. '

Audi has had a hit last year after winning the Bathurst 12-hour endurance race in Australia, and 24-hour races held at the Nurburgring, Spa-Francorchamps and Zolder.

2013 GRAND-AM season begins with a three-day trial held at 4-6 in preparation for the 24 hour race at the end of the month. Rum Bum Racing announce 2013 additional facets of the program team race of the new year.

Defending Rolex Champions Chip Ganassi racing tracks ready for Daytona

Pruett and Rojas will remain as the main driver of the team in 2013. Samples are from Daytona Montoya, Kimball, Dixon, Franchitti, McMurray and the hand is Riley Daytona Prototype BMW CGRFS are connected.

 Six-time and reigning GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series Champions (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012) Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) today announced its long season for 2013, including its driver- up for the Rolex Replica 24 Hours of Daytona.

Long Time yields partner Telmex as the main sponsor of the No. 01 Dinan-Prepared BMW Riley of Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas, the most successful. Driving duo in GRAND-AM history, piloted for its seventh season in a row with back CGRFS

BMW Power returns for the fourth consecutive year, with the support and assistance of BMW of North America and Dinan Engineering. The 5.0-liter BMW M S62 V8 Central, the team has 16 class wins Daytona Prototype driven in 37 races in the last three seasons.

In addition, the four-time Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona winner (2006, 2007, 2008, 2011) again running two car effort for the 51st Running of the prestigious Replica Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona has to offer, with eight drivers representing some of the best talent in the world of motor racing. Joining Pruett and Rojas with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (EGR) NASCAR teammate Juan Pablo Montoya and Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing IndyCar teammate Charlie Kimball, form the line-up in No. 01 TELMEX / Target Dinan-Prepared BMW, while the team objective IndyCar drivers Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti join EGR teammate Jamie McMurray and sports car racing talent Joey Hand in the target 02 n / TELMEX Dinan-Prepared BMW.

Chip Ganassi, Team Owner: "This race is always exciting for me, because it is a 24-hour race, there are many factors that go with success, you need the driver, people, equipment and partner .. - in particular .. but they all act as a team and that's where I think our strength hurts And with a little 'luck on your side, if you do not lane victory in this race, you know that I'm a little' Special achieved. Moreover, it is often, if so bring a diverse group of drivers from NASCAR, IndyCar, GRAND-AM and ALMS together to compete in a race. It 'a great kick-off for our race season. '

Willisch Ludwig, President of BMW of North America, LLC. "BMW of North America, LLC is pleased to continue our support for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates for the 2013 GRAND-AM Season Since 2010, BMW has the team to two Daytona Prototype Championships manufacturers and three consecutive Drivers' and Team titles, and a final 1-2 overall at the 2011 Rolex 24 at Daytona wizard. BMWNA I'm anticipating a good start to the season, 38 in the motor world in Rolex 24 this year. "

Weathertech / Alex team ends Rolex 24 lineup

Alex Job Racing Weathertech and announced the formation of the team's drivers for the GT class Porsche 911 GT3 Cup will be in the field of the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona next month. Cooper MacNeil, 2012 American Le Mans Series champion driver CG, will be joined by fellow champion Jeroen Bleekemolen GTC, Damien Faulkner and Porsche works driver Marco Holzer at 26-27 in the opening of the Grand-Am Rolex Watches Series.

MacNeil comes from a championship with Alex Job Racing (AJR). The young Illinois posted impressive wins at Lime Rock, Road America and Virginia International Raceway. MacNeil also has several victories in the Ferrari Challenge series and retains its competitive edge by running regional SCCA events.

Bleekemolen MacNeil and AJR course at Road America in 2012, where they won. He won the 2011 and the 2010 ALMS GTC drivers championship. The Dutchman won the 24 Hours of Le Mans LMP2 class in 2008 and was the champion of the Porsche Supercup 2009.

Faulkner rose through the ranks of his career in racing cars. The Irishman has won numerous British titles before moving cars to sports cars. He made his debut in 2011 with the ALMS races at Sebring and Long Beach, as well as the addition of a second victory in Long Beach in 2012.

Holzer came up through the ranks of the Formula BMW. In 2008, it was the UPS Porsche Junior Team Cup, where he recorded a victory at Hockenheim. He also won the 24 Hours of Dubai Global in 2010. He led the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid will debut at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring, leading most of the general classification. The young German has won five races in the International GT Open championship in Europe in 2012. On the other hand, started in the last two seasons with the team in the ALMS Flying Lizard.

"We have much experience and speed Porsche car for this year," said Alex Job. "None of the four drivers who won at Daytona, which I think is a motivation for young children. Together with a group of young drivers who are hungry, it is our job to harness that enthusiasm and managed more than 24 hours. Speed ​​not will matter. Nothing better than this in Daytona. We have high expectations for the end of January. "

TRG, Aston Martin Racing Team race in North America

Aston Martin returned to the stage in North American road racing. Racer Group (TRG) and Aston Martin Racing announced the formation of a partnership to provide factory-backed, full-featured program for Aston Martin Racing in North America starting in 2013. Mobility includes the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series, American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron and Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, as well as its intention to launch a series of mono-media brand Aston Martin Vantage GT4 race cars.

"Aston Martin Racing factory size supported really happened in North America," said Kevin Buckler, who lead the new organization as CEO. "This program is a huge and far-reaching. That we have developed the Aston Martin Racing have the opportunity to TRG-AMR North America to participate in all major competitions at a number of teams, and manage and support all customers, marketing, sales, transport, maintenance, new racing series Aston Martin GT4 , Aston Martin and even a special "Check and Drive" to business customers and clients., I have the honor to be my friend and co-Aston Martin Greenberg and Robert Kenneth Nimkoff in partnering with us in a new adventure, and we are all happy to get the program moving immediately. "

Julian Jenkins, Vice Chairman of Aston Martin Americas said: "It has been a strong desire to owners, enthusiasts and racing fans to see the Aston Martin Racing on a regular basis in North America, so the partnership TRG is an excellent opportunity to achieve this goal yet as we approach our centennial."

In addition to the management of your race program and client program, TRG-AMR in North America also began to develop a series of make with the Aston Martin Vantage GT4. This series should be identically prepared Aston Martin GT4 race against each other in the sprint, the selected sites across North America will start in the autumn of 2013.

Some of the new company and the relationship between Aston Martin dealer network in North America, which works with the new AMR-TRG Group North America to explore partnership opportunities and marketing together. Aston Martin has 35 dealers in the United States, five other in Canada.

The new company will also create opportunities for the social partners to participate in the sponsorship of programs, and the marketing of the new company Aston Martin North America. In addition, to create a unique package for business partnerships, such as business and business opportunities, internal and external marketing campaigns, brand awareness, and a unique track experience with hospitality guests a reflection of the brand Aston Martin AMR-TRG North America, LLC creates a special "Arrive and Drive" program. "Check and Drive" element feature cars Aston Martin racing tracks in North America, with corporate clients, sponsors, team and customers to become fully immersed in the track event information and instructions for the team and the drivers. This will be a full-service driving school in the North American tour of centralized code of conduct and an incredible life experience.

California Racers Group (TRG) is a legacy of successful Motorsport for 1990 exceptional gains and championships, including the Rolex 24 Daytona (four times, once common), 24 Hours of Le Mans, Petit Le Mans, Le Mans, four championships and 50 to win the big races.

Similarly, Aston Martin Racing has a rich cultural heritage. He started the race in 1949 and 1951, DB2 swept the podium in class 24 Hours of Le Mans. DB3S started in 1952 and won its class at Le Mans from 1955 to 1957. In 1959 DBR1 more than one to one Sarthe circuit legendary driver Sir Stirling Moss joined the race team.

Aston Martin returned to GT racing as the factory team in 2005, DBR9 GT1, which went on record to win back-to-back in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2007 and 2008, as well as to win the 2011 World Championship editing FIA GT1.

Recently, a large new racing cars made the series a success, capturing three in the last four pole positions FIA World Endurance Championship, winning the final in Shanghai, China, and finishing second in the World Championship GTE engine. The new GT3 was an incredible journey of his first year in 11 major victories, and GT4 car of choice is a multiple series around the world.

In 2013, Aston Martin Racing will continue the tradition of the advent of TRG-Aston Martin Racing in North America, is proud to take over the reins of his operation in North America.

Racers Group (TRG), headquartered in Petaluma, California, was founded in 1993 and has been involved at the highest level of motor sport for nearly 20 years. The team participated in all major series and need to win ALMS GT Class, Rolex Series DP class, the Rolex Series GT, ALMS GTC class and the Grand American GS class. The team won the Rolex Series GT championships in 2005 and 2006, as well as keep a record of most wins in Grand-Am with 32 CV team is highlighted four championships in a total of four Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona victories and the Le Mans 24 Hours victory. Although the competition Grand-Am Rolex Series and the American Le Mans Series is a staple team, he has also been involved in other levels of motor sport throughout its history, including ARCA, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.