When the flag goes green on the 53rd Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 24-25, BAR1 Motorsports will launch an all out assault on the Prototype Challenge field. With 53 cars from 10 different automotive manufacturers, and lineups comprised of star drivers from NASCAR, IndyCar and Formula One joining the best of the best from international sports car competition, this year’s 53rd running of the Rolex 24 is a can’t-miss event.
Where as 24 hour endurance races used to be all about saving the car and racing to the end, nowadays it’s an all out sprint. The cars, teams and drivers must put out 100% from the drop of the green flag. It’s door-to-door, wheel-to-wheel racing for 24 hours… and only the strong survive.
This year, BAR1 team owner, Brian Alder, will serve double duty this year when he takes the wheel of the #16 prototype for the first time. Alder has demonstrated his winning ways in the Cooper Tire Prototype Lites powered by Mazda series, capturing the 2014 Cooper Lites L2 Championship, winning 9 out of 14 races.
“This will be my first time driving in a 24 hour race,” said Brian. “I’m usually the one making the calls on pit road and coaching our drivers on the track. Hopefully my experience behind the wall to help me during my stints. These races are a battle of survival. You must drive smart and make sure you are there at the end to fight for the victory.”
“We have 2 very strong driver line-ups,” added Brian. “Both teams have the right mix of experience and youth and both will be backed by solid crews bringing lots of endurance experience. Both cars have a real shot at being on the podium. I’m more excited than ever about this race.”
Car and driver lineups:
Car #16 Autosport Designs Inc, Southwest Realty Advisors, Top1 Oil, The Spongebob Movie
Tom Papadopoulos
Johnny Mowlem
Tomy Drissi
Brian Alder
Martin Plowman
Car #61 Southwest Realty Advisors, Autosport Designs Inc, Delta Powerboats
Marc Drumwright
Martin Plowman
Ivo Breukers
Shelby Blackstock
Remo Ruscitti
Johnny Mowlem: This weekend marks a return to Daytona for the two time British and one time European champion Mowlem, whose full time racing commitments since 2012 have meant that he has been unable to compete at the famous blue ribbon 24 hour event.
“I am so pleased to be racing again for Brian Alder and his superb team,” said Mowlem. “What is even better is it means after a 3 year absence I get to return to the famous Daytona Speedway. I have such happy memories of the place. From 12 times racing there I’ve been lucky enough to finish on the podium 4 times, finished two times in second overall and won the famous Rolex watch once, so I hope that luck holds in 2015!”
Martin Plowman: Martin Plowman has an impressive racing background that includes winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans LMP2 class and the FIA/WEC LMP2 championship in 2013 and racing in the 2014 Indianapolis 500 with A.J. Foyt Racing. He has recently been promoted to a Platinum driver in the FIA driver rankings after his successes in the TUDOR United Sports Car Series, FIA/WEC, IndyCar, and IndyLights.
“I’ve been going to the Daytona 24 Hours for the last four years with a pocket full of business cards and hope that a team would give me a chance to drive,” said the enthusiastic Plowman. “I’m clearly stoked that I finally get to race in my first Rolex 24 Hour race with BAR1. We had a great connection last year, when BAR1 was so gracious to host two Snowball Express families at the 2014 race, and I feel fortunate that it developed and Brian gave me the chance at this dream. I’ve competed in only one 24-hour race before this one – at Le Mans where I won the LMP2 class on my first chance. I’d love to add to that achievement by taking home my first Rolex watch!”
Tomy Drissi: Known for binging movies to the races, Trans-Am Champion Tomy Drissi brings experience and race winning know how to the team. He’s familiar with the BAR1 team and the top step of the Prototype Challenge podium.
“I’m excited to run the 24 with Brian and the BAR1 guys,” said Tomy. “These endurance races require a Herculean team effort and this is a great team. Plus, we’ve got Spongebob’s reputation on the line… we’re going to the front.”
Tom Papadopoulos: Tom lives and breathes sports cars. As the owner of Autosport Design Inc., he not only imports, sells and services high-end sports cars, he races them and he wins in them. In 1997 and 98, Tom was the first driver to win back-to-back championships in the Ferrari Challenge series.
“The Tudor United SportsCar Series is the premier sportscar racing series in North America and I’m excited to be back on the grid with BAR1,” said Tom. The competition is great and I’m glad to be part of it starting at the 24 Hours of Daytona. We had a strong few days at the Roar and the car is very good. Endurance races are the ultimate challenge for the team and the car. I’ve raced the 24 Hours of Daytona several times in the past – I know we have a good chance for success and that’s all you can ask for. It’s my dream to win it and we are all going to give it our best.”
Marc Drumwright: This will be Marc Drumwright’s second season with BAR1, but his first time at Daytona and the Rolex 24.
“I think we have good momentum from COTA & Petit last year and it’s building a strong nucleus for 2015,” noted Marc. “Even though it’s my first time at Daytona & the 24, the Roar Testing enabled track time where we made some good improvements with the setup & initial lap times. Looking forward to a great result at the 24!”
Shelby Blackstock: The Rolex 24 will be Shelby Blackstock’s first outing with BAR1 Motorsports. He’ll be leaning on his success in the Continental Tire Sports Car Championship to contribute to the 24 hour prototype effort.
“This is my first race with the BAR1 Motorsports team and my first attempt at the 24 hours of Daytona,” said Shelby. “I have had great success at Daytona in the CTSCC series with a pole and a win so I hope my good results continue with the 24 hour in the TUDOR Series. I want to thank BAR1 for giving me this opportunity and everyone who has helped get me to this point in my career.”
Ivo Breukers: A 24 hour specialist, Ivo is anxious to prove the third time is a charm. With over 35 24-hour events under his belt, the odds are in his favor.
“Endurance racing is my passion,” Ivo proudly states. “I have done over 35 24h races… from Japan to Nurburgring to Dubai. I have been to Daytona twice, 2012 and 2013. However both times we could not finish the race. My first time the team replaced 3 gearboxes before retiring due to lack of a fourth. In 2013 a co- driver crashed the car in the night. It was beyond repair. Since 1978 only 18 different dutch drivers have finished the race at Daytona. My goal is to bing the car home at a steady quick pace and to be the 19th Dutchman to finish the race. Hopefully at a podium step.”
Remo Ruscitti: No stranger to the US sports car racing scene, this young Canadian shows a lot of versatility and speed. At last year’s stop at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Remo won the Street Tuner division in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, only to turn around and drive to victory in his first IMSA Cooper Tires Prototype Lites race. Oh… and Sunday morning, he did it again.
“The Rolex 24 will be a great opportunity for me to show what I can do in a Prototype Challenge car,” noted Remo. “I hope to help the team as much as possible. We have a really strong line up so, I’m confident we can mount an effort that will see us contending for the win. “