This year’s Sunoco Rolex At Daytona 24 Challenge winner Bradley Smith will get his first taste of what’s in store since winning his money-can’t-buy prize of a fully supported drive in the Daytona 24-hour race in January, when he travels to the legendary circuit in Florida for the official pre-race test next week. As well as drive on the track for the very first time, Smith will also meet the Action Express team that he will be joining for the test.

Denver-based Action Express has contested the GRAND-AM Championship for the past four seasons with two Chevrolet Corvette derived Daytona Prototype sports cars. Next week’s test will see Smith drive car number 9, which finished fourth in the 2013 Rolex 24 At Daytona driven by Joao Barbosa, Burt Frisselle and Mike Rockenfeller.

Smith’s inauguration to the team and track will commence on Monday 18th November, with the highly experienced Barbosa nominated as the 22-year old’s coach, not only for the test, but for the two-month build up to race-day. Following the introductions and a seat-fitting, Smith will then be shown around the track and have the finer points of the car explained by the Portuguese driver who became the Rolex 24 At Daytona Champion in 2010.

Tuesday will see Smith drive the Daytona Prototype on the circuit for the first time, with the test continuing on Wednesday. As the 500hp sports car is a very different proposition to that of the Radical SR3 that he drove in the UK during 2013, the team are eager to provide the Essex-based driver with as much seat time as possible during the two-day test.

Organisers of the Sunoco Challenge prize are yet to confirm the team Smith will join for the Rolex 24 At Daytona race on 25th & 26th January and have said that an announcement will be made in December.