Rexy returns, Preining's IMSA debut, and a tribute to Gil de Ferran
OE Founder Tim Fullbrook delivers you the first weekly update of 2024 as some of the final pieces of the puzzle fall into place.
The first week of 2024 sees the livery announcements and driver market madness spill over from last year, as the final pieces of the IMSA puzzle fall into place ahead of the Rolex 24 at Daytona at the end of the month.
In case you’ve been busy getting back into the swing of things this January, then here’s what you need to know from the last week…
Rexy returns for GTD PRO charge
AO Racing have revived the fan-favourite ‘Rexy’ livery for their Porsche 911 GT3.R as the team make the step to GTD PRO, taking up the #77.
Sebastian Priaulx returns with the team, with fellow young Porsche star Laurin Heinrich completing the full-season pairing. Beyond confirming the livery, the Illinois-based team also confirmed Porsche Penske Hypercar driver Michael Christensen will be the third driver in the team for Daytona.
‘Rexy’ raced in IMSA and the WEC last year, across GTD and GTE AM classes respectively – but is set for a WeatherTech Championship-only year in 2024.
Pfaff reveal 2024 McLaren livery
The last week has been one for the livery fans, as Pfaff Motorsports lifted the covers on their 2024 McLaren 720S GT3 EVO that will race in the GTD PRO class.
Racing Porsches for the entirety of their time in IMSA, the move to McLaren was heavily debated amongst fans, but sees them become the first GTD PRO team to field the 720S GT3 EVO with support from the British marque in the form of factory driver Marvin Kirchofer.
The design sees the Canadian plaid return, albeit toned down underneath swathes of the classic McLaren papaya. I must say, an excellent design from Jason Dakins.
Thomas Preining to make Daytona debut
DTM Champion Thomas Preining is set to make his IMSA debut at the Rolex 24, as the Austrian has been announced as part of Andretti Motorsports Porsche GTD team.
The 25-year old will race in the North American championship for the first time, a vital step in his career as options beyond the DTM look to be opening up following his championship run. Preining tested one of Porsche Penske Motorsports’ 963 Hypercars at the WEC Rookie Test at Bahrain; reports indicating he impressed.
It won’t be his first 24 hour race, Preining has twice raced at Le Mans in GTE AM and competed at the Nurburgring 24h on four occasions in the SP9 class.
Preining will race at the Floridian enduro with Jarett Andretti and co-drivers Gabby Chaves and Scott Hargrove.
IMSA won’t implement LMP2 Balance of Performance
IMSA have confirmed that the LMP2 class will not feature a Balance of Performance system, despite the category no longer being all-Oreca 07s, according to comments from Technical Director Matt Kurdock.
Globally the LMP2 category has seen the Oreca 07 become the favoured choice for teams, but 2024 sees the Ligier JS P217 return to the category in the hands of Sean Creech Motorsports.
The car last raced in IMSA back in 2021, when RWR Eurasia made a one-off appearance at Daytona, finishing eighth in class.
The team are confident in the capabilities of the car, despite the Oreca dominance and their inexperience with the car, having told OE followers they “believe the Ligier P2 is perfectly suited to any racetrack.”
Inter Europol PR1/Mathiasen grab Hypercar talent for Daytona
The Inter Europol PR1 Mathiasen LMP2 team have finalised their driver lineup for the Rolex 24 at Daytona, adding former Vanwall Hypercar driver Tom Dillmann and bronze-rated driver Nick Boulle.
Dillmann is expected to join the team for the Endurance Cup rounds of the 2024 season, with single-seater star Clement Novalak previously announced as the fourth driver for Daytona.
After leaving Vanwall’s Hypercar team after the 24h Le Mans, Dillmann has looked back for a way into competition via the LMP2 class – and now believes his decision has “paid off” after signing with Inter Europol.
The 34-year old is for sure a talented prototype driver, his performances in the WEC last year were very much hidden by the ByKolles-run team’s on and off-track record. The drive with Inter Europol undoubtedly kick-starts another chapter in his racing career that still has plenty left to give.
Gil de Ferran, 1967-2023
On the 30th December, American Le Mans Series race-winner and Indy 500 winner Gil de Ferran passed away aged 56.
The Brazilian was popular across the racing world, but rose to fame for his success with Penske Racing in CART and latterly the IndyCar Series.
In 2008, five years after leaving the open-wheel world, de Ferran established his own race team and took to the ALMS – first racing an Acura ARX-01b in LMP2.
The trophies would start pouring in the following year when, with teammate Simon Pagenaud, de Ferran Motorsports stepped up to the LMP1 class, winning four races on the bounce in the middle of the season. The team would go on to finish runners-up in that year’s championship.
Extremely fast, extremely talented, and as I’m sure we can all agree that, on the basis of the reaction to his unfortunate passing, extremely loved by the racing community.
A reminder that whilst the cars, races, and circuits provide the show, motorsport is built on people.
Plenty more to come from your OE-MaiI subscription, be it weekly updates or in the coming weeks insight from drivers/team members as we embark on this enthralling 2024 season.
Hope you continue to enjoy.
Tim Fullbrook
OE Founder