Monday, October 3, 2016 – Atlanta, GA – In their final race in the PC class, the PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports team and drivers Robert Alon, Jose Gutierrez and Tom Kimber-Smith won the 2016 Petit Le Mans and took the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup Championship (TPNAECC) for the second year in a row.
On Friday, Alon took the pole position with a qualifying lap of 1:16.411, and on Saturday, the No.52 machine led all but 65 of the 404 laps completed in class.
“I’m really happy to get the win at Petit Le Mans and close out the Endurance Championship. I’m a little bit gutted that we weren’t able to win the overall championship, but still really pleased with our results here today,” stated Alon.
“Both Tom (Kimber-Smith) and Jose (Gutierrez) were super quick and did a great job in the car today, and I can’t thank everyone at PR1 enough for the opportunity this year and for giving us another amazing car this weekend.”
The victory on Saturday marked two Petit Le Mans wins in a row, as well as two consecutive TPNAECC titles for Kimber-Smith.
“For me it was pretty easy. I think I spent the least amount of time in the car which was kind of nice,” said Kimber-Smith.
“Robert (Alon) did a pretty awesome job straight away. His lap times were incredible all weekend. When I met Robert at Daytona, he was lacking experience and confidence, and then we come here 10 months later and he’s basically the fastest man on track, so that’s really awesome to see. Jose was super quick and didn’t put a foot wrong all day, and the team did an amazing job throughout the weekend.”
“I’m a bit disappointed not to win the main championship. However, to win back-to-back on the Patron Cup is not bad either. I’m excited to be finished now, but I’m already looking forward to making plans to get back on track next year.”
Endurance Cup driver Gutierrez was pleased to win his first race in Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup Championship after finishing second at both Daytona and Sebring.
“What an amazing way to end the season. We just won Petit Le Mans and the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup Championship, so I feel very blessed to be a part of this team,” said Gutierrez.
“The PR1 car was fantastic all race. Robert and Tom did an awesome job too. We started out good in Daytona with a second place and again at Sebring with a second place. We had a problem at Watkins Glen, but now we’re here and we’re finishing the season with a win. That’s the best way to end the season. I’m looking forward to seeing what 2017 brings. I hope to stay here with PR1 because they’re an awesome team that knows how to win races, so I’m looking forward to seeing what the future brings.”
The future for PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports is a step up to the Prototype class with a Ligier JS P217. Team principle Bobby Oergel announced last week that the team will move up to the Prototype class in 2017 and campaign one of the brand new Onroak Automotive-built LMP2 cars.
“We’re super excited about partnering with Ligier for 2017. They’re a great group of guys, and they’re in it similarly as a passion more so than a business and that’s why we do what we do at PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports as well,” explained Oergel.
“We need somebody who’s ‘in the trenches with us,’ and they’re definitely in the trenches, making things happen and pushing buttons. They’ve been a pleasure to seamlessly put things together with. It’s been very easy which makes things nice, and we believe in them and where they’re headed and think this is going to be a great partnership.”
“What a tremendous way to end a great season. I couldn’t be more proud of all of the hard work from all of the team and drivers this season, and to finish the season with another win at Petit Le Mans and winning the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Championship is just wonderful,” stated team co-owner Ray Mathiasen.
“I think it’s a fitting way to close this chapter of racing in the PC class for our team, and I’m looking forward to moving up to the Prototype class in 2017 and hopefully enjoy more of the success we’re celebrating after this win at Petit. I’m pleased with the support that Ligier has committed to provide to us next year. We’re a smaller team, but we’re hard workers and have a great group here at PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports, and we’re hoping to be competitive in the Prototype class and have a successful 2017 season.”
The team will begin testing in early November with Onroak’s development chassis before taking delivery of the new car on December 1. The driver line up for the 2017 program remains in the works, but will be announced within the next month.
