Title defence for the Mercedes-AMG GT3 and GT4 in 24h Daytona 08.01.2019: • Mercedes-AMG Team Riley Motorsports and P1 Motorsports to compete in Daytona endurance racing classic • Mercedes-AMG GT4 racing in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge

•    Mercedes-AMG Team Riley Motorsports and P1 Motorsports to compete in Daytona endurance racing classic


•    Mercedes-AMG GT4 racing in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge



Traditionally, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season gets underway with the 24-hour highlight at Daytona. Last weekend (4-6 January) already, the Mercedes-AMG GT3 and GT4 teams participated in the “Roar Before the Rolex 24” at Daytona International Speedway. In the major three-day test prior to the classic endurance race, the teams racked up numerous laps and refined their set-ups at the 5.7 kilometres long track.



For Mercedes-AMG, the Mercedes-AMG Team Riley Motorsports will be racing as the defending IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup champions in Florida. Ben Keating (USA), Felipe Fraga (BRA), Jeroen Bleekemolen (NED) and Luca Stolz (GER) will be alternating as the drivers at the legendary oval.



Last year, the team with starting number 33 ended up fourth, only just missing out on a podium finish. With a good result, Riley Motorsports aims at lying the foundation for another title defence, the team already having won the Endurance Cup in 2017 and 2018. The P1 Motorsports team is running the second Mercedes-AMG GT3 at Daytona with Dominik Baumann (AUT), Maximilian Buhk (GER), “JC” Perez (COL) and Fabian Schiller (GER). The start of the Daytona 24 Hours is on Saturday, 26 January, at 12.35 hrs EST (18.35 hrs CET).



On Friday, 25 January, the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge already starts its new season with a four-hour race at Daytona. The seven Mercedes-AMG GT4s again include winning Team TGM with starting number 46. Hugh Plumb and Owen Trinkler (both USA) will be racing as the reigning Grand Sport class champions for the team owned by Ted Giovanis (USA), who himself will be racing the team’s second Mercedes-AMG GT4 together with Guy Cosmo (USA).



Stefan Wendl, head of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing: “2018 was the most successful season in history of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing. But there is no time to rest on these laurels. Traditionally, the new season already starts in January with two undisputed classics: the 24-hour races at Dubai and Daytona.



In both events, teams will be competing as defending champions with our Mercedes-AMG GT3 and GT4. Anticipation and expectations are accordingly high. We know about the strengths of our cars, particularly on the long distance, and we will again support our teams on site with maximum technology, equipment and know-how to start off the new season in a successful way. We wish all the teams and drivers a lot of success and we are delighted to see the lights turn to green for the year 2019.”






Mercedes-AMG GT3 and GT4 in the Rolex 24 At Daytona*:


Nr. Class    Car    Team    Drivers



33 GTD    Mercedes-AMG GT3    Mercedes-AMG Team Riley Motorsports    Jeroen Bleekemolen (NED), Felipe Fraga (BRA), Ben Keating (USA), Luca Stolz (GER)


71 GTD    Mercedes-AMG GT3    P1 Motorsports    Dominik Baumann (AUT), Maximilian Buhk (GER), JC Perez (COL), Fabian Schiller (GER)


4 GS    Mercedes-AMG GT4    Team TGM    Guy Cosmo (USA), Ted Giovanis (USA)


33 GS    Mercedes-AMG GT4    Winward Racing / HTP Motorsport    Indy Dontje (NED), Russel Ward (USA)


35 GS    Mercedes-AMG GT4    Riley Motorsports    James Cox (USA), Dylan Murry (USA)


46 GS    Mercedes-AMG GT4    Team TGM    Hugh Plumb (USA), Owen Trinkler (USA)


56 GS    Mercedes-AMG GT4    Murillo Racing    Eric Foss (USA), Jeff Mosing (USA)


57 GS    Mercedes-AMG GT4    Winward Racing / HTP Motorsport    Christian Hohenadel (GER), Bryce Ward (USA)


65 GS    Mercedes-AMG GT4    Murillo Racing    Brent Mosing (USA), Justin Piscitell (USA), Tim Probert (USA)



* subject to changes by short notice
 

    
 
Jochen Übler, photos Mercedes