Preparation is a key to success for any race, but the effort that goes into being ready for a 24 hour event is particularly important.
Change Racing made the most of three days of IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship testing this weekend at Daytona International Speedway as the team prepared for its debut outing in the Rolex 24 At Daytona on January 30-31. Making its first official appearance in IMSA WeatherTech series action, Change Racing had a productive weekend as the organization looked to become familiar with its new drivers, new machinery, and all of the new faces and procedures that are specific to the WeatherTech ranks.
All three of the 2016 confirmed Change Racing drivers, Corey Lewis, Spencer Pumpelly, and Justin Marks, were able to gain critical experience behind the wheel of the No. 16 Change Racing Huracán GT3 machine. The GT3-specification machine has already generated an impressive record of endurance in European competition, and the Rolex 24 will mark the initial outing for the platform in North America.
“I’m pleased with how our weekend went,” said team principal Robby Benton. “This is our first foray into this level of IMSA racing, and we know that we’ve got a lot to learn as a group. I’m glad that we had the chance to participate in this test to work on things, get to know some more of the IMSA officiating staff and the new inspection procedures, and fill up our notebooks before coming back down here at the end of the month.”
Having established a championship-winning team in IMSA Lamborghini Super Trofeo competition, Change Racing has strengthened its personnel resources to support the WeatherTech effort as it grows its competition footprint within IMSA.
Having won a Lamborghini Super Trofeo World Championship with Change Racing in 2015, the Rolex 24 marks the first race for Corey Lewis in his rookie effort of IMSA WeatherTech competition.
“To be in the GTD paddock is a dream come true for me,” said Lewis. “All the years I have been in the sports car series I have always looked up to this level of the paddock and to say that I am finally there, along with all of the well established teams and the well known driver names that I have always watched, is really awesome. We have a lot positive things to take away from the test. Right off the bat the car was really quick, the team did an amazing job setting up the car. It’s great to have everyone on board and to have Monster Energy Drink back with me for the second year in a row as well as Lamborghini Carolinas. It’s an exciting and busy year for sure and I’m really looking forward to it.”
In addition to having Pumpelly, Lewis and Marks getting familiar with the No. 16 Change Racing Lamborghini Huracán, the team was also able to integrate young NASCAR racer Kaz Grala into the driving rotation during the weekend to test the Lamborghini Huracán.
“I was very pleased with all of our drivers this weekend-it was great to have Spencer (Pumpelly) and Justin’s (Marks) experience to lean on and learn from.” said Benton. “Kaz (Grala) and Corey (Lewis) did a fantastic job for us as new drivers to this level of IMSA competition also. I’m looking forward to finalizing our overall Daytona lineup and getting back for the race event in a few weeks.”