Oryx Racing is looking forward to a belated Christmas present. The team hopes to take delivery of a new Audi R8 GRAND-AM next week that it plans to campaign for the full 2012 Rolex Series GT season.

Oryx Racing is based in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. Owner/driver Humaid Al Masaood will be joined at the Rolex 24 At Daytona in the No. 74 Barrett-Jackson Audi RX8 GRAND-AM by fellow UAE driver Saeed Al Mehairi and Steven Kane of Northern Ireland.

“Last year we were paired with Dyson Racing in the American Le Mans Series, but we decided to go out and do our own thing this year,” said team manager Tom Maplethorpe. “We’ve done the 24-race in Dubai several times, but this will be our first 24-hour raced in the U.S.

The team’s Rolex Series operation will be based outside Indianapolis in West College Corner, Ind.

Oryx crew chief Will Rowden attended the December Rolex Series test at Daytona International Speedway, observing the first U.S. test of the Audi R8 GRAND-AM.

“We’re confident we’ll have a great year,” Maplethorpe said. “The Rolex Series schedule is great for the drivers. Last year we did Mid-Ohio, Road America, Lime Rock and (Mazda Raceway) Laguna Seca, and getting to race at Daytona, Watkins Glen and Indianapolis is huge. It’s big for the drivers, along with the entire team. All of the guys on the team are really looking forward to it.”

The team’s first test with the new Audi will be the Roar before the Rolex 24 on Jan. 6-8 at Daytona.

“That will be the first time the guys actually get in the car,” Maplethorpe said. “We’ve got to be realistic. The Rolex 24 will be the first race in the U.S. in the new Audi R8 GRAND-AM. We’re not going to make any bold statements, we’re going to take it one step at a time. We’re sure Audi has produced a great car. It’s already proven itself. We’ll have to see how we get on with it.”

Source : Oryx Racing