January 24, 2019 – Daytona, Florida – PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports is heading into the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the first race weekend of the 2019 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, with great momentum after posting the fastest lap time of the LMP2 class during the Roar Before the Rolex 24 earlier this month. The American team is also pleased to announce their fourth driver, Frenchman Enzo Guibbert, to complete their lineup.
The 57th running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona will be the first to include the LMP2 class among the three other classes competing in the event. There will be 47 cars total, with PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports battling against three other LMP2’s for the top step of the podium and a brand-new Rolex watch.
The driver lineup is complete with Matt McMurry, Gabriel Aubry, Mark Kvamme, and the final addition of Enzo Guibbert. racing resume includes a third-place finish in the 2016 European Le Mans Championship, another third-place title for the 2018 GT4 International Cup, as well as valuable experience from the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Rolex 24 at Daytona will be the Frenchman’s debut to racing in the United States.
Track action beings today with two practice sessions in the first half of the day, qualifying, and then a final night practice session to wrap up. Qualifying for the LMP2 class will be held from 4:25-4:40 P.M. EST, which will determine the #52 ORECA’s grid position for the Rolex 24 at Daytona. A final, fourth practice session will be held tomorrow morning, and then everyone at PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports will have their focus on Saturday afternoon, 2:35 P.M. EST – the start time of the 2019 Rolex 24 at Daytona.
Matt Mcmurry
Driver - #52 PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports ORECA 07 LMP2
“I’m excited for the race! We have a strong lineup and the team has been putting a lot of work to make sure we have a reliable car. Our chances are looking very good for a Rolex 24 win!”
Gabriel Aubry
Driver - #52 PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports ORECA 07 LMP2
“I can't wait for the race week to finally kick off! The Roar was good, and we kept working hard during the two-week break. I'm confident in the team's work and my teammates. I'm looking forward to Saturday 2.35pm EST!”
Mark Kvamme
Driver - #52 PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports ORECA 07 LMP2
“PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports is a fabulous team and we have some amazing young drivers with Gaby, Enzo, and Matt. It’s kind of like three pro’s and a schmo, with me being the schmo. I hold up my end of the bargain, I think we have a really good chance.”
Enzo Guibbert
Driver - #52 PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports Oreca 07 LMP2
“I’m really happy to join PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports. I think they are a competitive team with real ambition. My experience at the 24 Hours of Le Mans is an advantage because I know the car well and I will not be surprised by the traffic. I hope to have a good result with the team at my first ever race in the United States, which the Rolex 24 at Daytona is quite the race to begin with! I will give my maximum effort to bring a good result.”
Bobby Oergel
Team Principal
#52 PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports ORECA 07 LMP2
“I am very excited for this event with our new drivers and partners. The Roar went very smooth and we gathered valuable information with the new tire combination. Now the plan changes from pure speed to on endurance and a clean run for Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona.”