WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2015 – FRESNO, CA—The No. 52 PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports PC machine is set to defend its Rolex 24 win at the 54th running of the twice around the clock event in Daytona on January 30-31, 2016. Returning to defend their win is Tom Kimber-Smith who will be joined by Robert Alon for the full WeatherTech Sports Car Championship season, Jose Gutierrez joining for the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Championship (TPNAEC) and Nick Boulle who will complete the driver lineup for the Rolex 24.
After testing several drivers to fill the open positions, team principal Bobby Oergel is happy with the combination who will compete at the Rolex 24 and throughout the season.
“We’ve had a really busy off season testing a lot of really good, young talent,” explained Oergel. “The group that we’ve assembled is going to be a lot of fun to work with. We’re blessed to be able to have a group of guys who are extremely talented and all have a common goal which is to defend our win at Daytona and hopefully add another championship.”
“We’re very pleased to have Tom (Kimber-Smith) return to the team, and excited to add a lot of fresh blood to the program as well. Robert Alon, who we’ve seen progress through the Cooper Tire Prototype Lites, will join Tom for the full season in the WeatherTech Championship, and Jose Gutierrez will help us at all of the long races. Nick Boulle will be a great addition to the team in Daytona, and now we’re ready to get to the Roar and have all the guys together in one place and see what they can really do.”
Kimber-Smith, 31, of Wokingham, England, returns to PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports after winning the TPNAEC in the PC Class in his debut season with the team.
“It’s great to be back with PR1. I got to know everyone over the last year, and it feels like everyone there is family, so it’s really an honor for me to be back again for 2016,” said Kimber-Smith.
“I met Robert Alon for the first time last week and didn’t know a ton about him, but knew he was coming up through the ranks rather quickly and successfully and have to say I was very impressed and am really looking forward to sharing a car with him for the entire season. I also met Nick, who will be with us at Daytona, who’s very fast, extremely intelligent, and I think he’s going to do a great job for the 24. The only driver I didn’t meet, who I’ve heard a lot about, is Gutierrez. I have seen a bit of his history and think he’s going to be a dark horse who’s really going to shine next year.”
Robert Alon, 25, of Encino, California has been racing competitively for the past five years. During his time on track he has quickly moved up the junior ranks and enjoyed great success in the Cooper Tire Prototype Lites Championship. Alon, who brings a full season Professional Security Consultants sponsorship to the team is anxious to begin the season with PR1 at the Roar Before the Rolex 24 and compete in his first full WeatherTech Sports Car Championship season.
“To say I’m ready to get the 2016 season started would be an understatement. I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel of the PR1 car,” stated Alon.
“This will be my first season in the big leagues, and I’m honored to have the privilege of driving with PR1. This year will be a big challenge for me stepping up from the Cooper Prototype Lites to the PC car, especially with the added weight, downforce and overall performance from the Lites car to the PC. I’m definitely up for the challenge, and I’m beyond ready to race at the Rolex 24. We have a really great group of drivers for the 24, and I think we’re going to bring some tough competition to Daytona in January.”
Jose Gutierrez, 19, of Monterrey, Mexico hails from a family of successful racers and hopes to continue that success at the TPNAEC races in 2016.
“I’m very excited to join PR1 for four of the biggest US races of the year. I’m training at the gym twice a day to get in shape for the 24 hour and am really looking forward to racing at Daytona and at night as well, as this will be my first time racing at night,” said Gutierrez.
“I think we have a great group of guys for the 24 hour race. I met Robert and Nick at the test and look forward to meeting Tom at the Roar. I think there are a lot of things I can learn from Tom and each of the other drivers, so I’m ready to get to work at Daytona.”
26-year-old Nick Boulle of Dallas, TX will complete the driver line up at the Rolex 24. Boulle, representing de Boulle Motorsports Marketing and Meridian Realty Advisors, is thrilled that his first race in a prototype challenge car will be at the Rolex 24.
“It’s a dream come true to be racing a prototype challenge car at Daytona. It’s a sport that I’ve always admired and loved growing up and having the chance to race at one of the biggest races in the world in this type of car is just unbelievable,” stated Boulle.
“It’s been several years since I’ve raced a proper sports car, but I couldn’t be happier to come back to the sport with PR1 at Daytona and have the opportunity to raise awareness about ‘Lost Key’ where Vista del Mar is being built, a luxury condominium in Perdido Key, Florida.”
The final round of testing before the Rolex 24 is set for January 8-10, 2016 at the Roar Before the Rolex 24 in Daytona. The team and drivers are eager to start their quest for the 2016 championship and are determined to start the year with a win at Daytona.
“Going into 2016, it’s going to be very hard to replicate how successful we were in 2015,” stated Kimber-Smith.
“Ideally we want to win that main championship, but right now we’re focused on repeating a win at the 24. I think the new drivers are going to have some big shoes to fill, but looking at all they’ve done previously, having met them and seeing what they can do on track, I think we’re in a really good position.”
Stay tuned to pr1motorsports.com for the latest team and driver news and for all of the updates from the Roar Before the Rolex 24 and the 54th Annual Rolex 24 at Daytona!
And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook – @PR1Motorsports – to stay up to date with all of the team and drivers’ racing news!
About PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports
In paddocks packed with excellent teams and quality drivers, PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports has established itself as one of motorsport’s premier organizations. The operation is based in Fresno, CA where PR1/Mathiasen occupies a 5000 square foot facility that houses a stable of F2000 Zetec, F1600, GRAND-AM, and TUDOR United SportsCar Championship racecars, plus a full-time crew of technicians and engineers. Since 1990, PR1/Mathiasen has won over 45 championships in a wide assortment of world-class series before joining the American Le Mans Series full-time in 2010. PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports’ latest championship win was the 2015 Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup Championship with drivers Tom Kimber-Smith, Michael Gausch and Andrew Palmer. The team’s alumni and active driver roster includes an impressive list of accomplished drivers including IndyCar stars J.R. Hildebrand and Charlie Kimball, sports car legends Luiz Diaz, Butch Leitzinger, and Marino Franchitti, and rising stars Dane Cameron, Jonathan Bomarito, and Ryan Lewis.
About Professional Security Consultants
Professional Security Consultants (PSC) was founded in 1985 by Moshe Alon, a former Israeli Secret Service Agent. PSC began as a consulting firm to Fortune 500 companies that dealt with the threats of terrorism worldwide. In the coming years, PSC expanded operation to Executive Protection, Event Planning and Management. In 1991, PSC secured a contract in the shopping center industry. In 1999, CASE Global was formed in order to develop computerized solutions as a risk management tool for the security industry. Currently, PSC is licensed in over 40 US States and has a presence in Europe and the Middle East with revenues of approximately $80 million annually. PSC headquartered in Los Angeles, California and employ approximately 2,500 people in the U.S. We are a service-oriented organization, whose primary duty is to protect and serve the general community as they work or patronize our facilities. Our commitment to this duty will be maintained through the highest standards of professionalism through our words and deeds.
About Prisma
Prisma Developments is a company that successfully participated in the construction services. It’s an organization that constantly seeks excellence and sustained growth. It has been 100% dedicated to building Monterrey generally affiliated to the Mexican Chamber of Construction Industry (CMIC) for over 40 years through two generations. We are an established organization and maintain a leadership position in the field of construction industry in northern Mexico, which is the result of two generations of effort and commitment to quality. Our goals have been from our origins to satisfy the needs of our customers. We service buildings of concrete and steel, industrial turnkey concrete streets, townhouse, highways, bridges, housing, earthworks machinery itself, in asphalt plant, asphalt application of specialized machinery , with petrolizadoras irrigation applications, asphalt emulsions, asphalt layers as microcarpeta special, black base, application of modified asphalt folder.The additional support services with which we can assist the client to perform his work are the following: design, work scheduling, budget estimates, project management and implementation.
Prisma Developments is a dynamic organization that contributes to the growth of Mexico through the generation of direct and indirect jobs, with operations supported with advanced technologies. We have built a solid reputation with the development of major projects, both public and private, such as housing complexes, bridges, office buildings, roads and industrial buildings. Our experience in all areas of construction enables us to provide our customers excellent service.
Together, we are building a better tomorrow.
About Vista del Mar Perdido Key
A development of Meridian Realty Advisors, L.P., it isn’t just the Gulf view that make Vista del Mar in Perdido Key such a success. Residents have taken notice of what many consider to be even more stunning – the eastern view overlooking the Gulf Island National Seashore. Because the National Park Service protects this area, its natural beauty will forever be preserved and unspoiled by construction. Conceived with an uncompromising focus on luxury, Vista del Mar will redefine what you expect from beachfront living. With so many exceptional features and amenities, your view of life will be changed forever. For the fortunate few residing here, the luxury and sophistication of their surroundings also extend to the inner sanctuaries of their homes. Innovative three-, four-and five-bedroom floor plans with wider layouts than traditional condominium units provide expansive views and spacious interiors. Each residence features the highest level of amenities and detailing, including Wolf® ranges & Sub-Zero® refrigerators, elegant flooring and countertops, 10’ ceilings, outdoor grills and much more. One look at the spectacular view of the Gulf of Mexico and the unspoiled beauty of Perdido Key, Florida. One look at the pristine, sugar white beaches just outside your door. And you’ll know that you need look no further. To your east, your most exclusive neighbor, a protected National Seashore—a haven of nature trails and bike trails— ensures that your view, your tranquility and your peace-of-mind will be forever preserved.