The Prototype class for the opening round of the new Tudor United Sports Car Championship sees the return of previous Starworks drivers Scott Mayer (USA), Brendon Hartley (NZ), and Alex Popow (Ven) being joined by Indy Car drivers E.J. Viso (Ven) and Sebastián Saavedra (Columbia) in the Starworks Motorsport #78 Riley-Dinan.
Peter Baron, Starworks Motorsport Team Owner: “It was always our intention to race in both the P and PC classes of the new series. It was impossible for us to make the initial entry deadline for the P class, but the team worked extremely hard over the winter to ensure we’d be ready for a place when it came up. We have a very strong set of drivers in the 78 car with returning race winners Scott, Alex and Brendon who have been joined by two hungry guys in E.J. and Sebastián. I’m looking forward to seeing what this driver combo can do and I’m confident that we’ll improve on our 2013 Rolex 24 results.”
Sebastián Saavedra, Starworks #78 DP: “I am very excited with this last minute situation. I would like to thank Peter for the invitation to join the very successful Starworks family. I am opened minded about what’s going to happen this weekend; we have a great line-up of drivers, so I am focussing on doing the best job and hopefully some watches with it."
E.J. Viso, Starworks #78 DP: “I am very excited to start my second Daytona 24, and for a second time with Starworks. I believe that the line-up we have for it is great and it’s probably one of my favourite races so far in my career. It is definitely one that challenges everyone; the teams, drivers and even the spectators. I am ready and really looking forward to it and hopefully many more races with Starworks.”
Alex Popow, who drives the Starworks #78 DP and #7 PC: “We’ve been working extremely hard since last year and I think we have a really good chance to win the Rolex 24. I am driving both our DP and #7 PC cars, so it will be very demanding for me, but I think that overall we’ll be challenging for wins and both class titles in the Championship from the start this year.”
The Fort Lauderdale squad had a tough 2013 GRAND-AM Rolex 24, with both cars of its cars experiencing a host of issues throughout the race. Despite fantastic driving efforts from all four #2 Starworks DP drivers they took the chequer 13 laps (696) behind the race winners in sixth place, while the 8 car (DP) was forced to retire after a collision with the wall on lap 441.
Practice for the TUSCC cars at the 52nd Rolex 24 started this morning at the iconic 3.56 mile, 12 turn stadium road circuit located at Daytona Beach, Florida. Qualifying for the PC class is at 4:30pm followed immediately by the P class at 4:50pm with Practice #3 at 6:30pm ET.
