JIM MATTHEWS RACING AND RILEY MOTORSPORTS OUTLINE PLANS FOR 2007 GRAND AMERICAN ROLEX SPORTS CAR SERIES
Riley Technologies, the winningest chassis constructor in Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve history, and its satellite Riley Motorsports—which won the Rolex 24 At Daytona and the Rolex Series Daytona Prototype team title in 2005—today unveiled its plans for 2007.
Riley Motorsports has joined forces with Jim Matthews Racing to campaign a Riley Daytona Prototype for drivers Jim Matthews and Belgian racer Marc Goossens, who has been instrumental in the development of the Riley chassis. Riley Motorsports may expand to a two-car program if the opportunity presents itself.
“We’ve had a long relationship with both Marc and Jim, and we are thrilled to be working more closely with them for the 2007 Rolex Series season,” said Riley Motorsports Director Bill Riley. “Our reputation—both as a chassis manufacturer and as a race team—speaks for itself, and we are fully committed to winning races and challenging for the Daytona Prototype team and constructor championships again next season. This is an exciting next chapter in the history of Riley Motorsports and Riley Technologies.”
“To say we are delighted to be working with Riley Motorsports for the 2007 Rolex Series season would be an understatement,” Matthews added. “Opportunities to work with one of the best teams in all of motorsports don’t come along often. I am confident that this new association will bring our team to another level in Daytona Prototype competition and we are looking forward to a successful year in 2007.”
Both Riley Technologies and Riley Motorsports will move their entire operations into a 40,000 square foot facility in Mooresville, N.C. from Indianapolis. Approximately 20 employees are expected to make the move, and the companies expect to have upwards of 50 employees once they settle into their new home in Mooresville.
“Mooresville has become the center of the auto racing universe, and for us to continue growing our business, it only made sense to relocate,” Riley said. “While our Rolex Series customers and team remain a top priority, moving to North Carolina will open doors to business in several other forms of racing. We can’t wait to get into our new home, which is going to be an awesome facility.”
Riley chassis have a total of 41 victories in Rolex Series competition—more than four times its next closest competitor—as well as 39 pole positions. The Riley Mk XI chassis also won the prestigious Rolex 24 At Daytona in 2005, with the No. 10 SunTrust Pontiac Riley team of Max Angelelli, Wayne Taylor and Emmanuel Collard, and in 2006 with the No. 02 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Lexus Riley of IndyCar Series champions Dan Wheldon and Scott Dixon, and NASCAR racer Casey Mears.
