Risi Competizione returns to Rolex 24 at Daytona ready for top step of podium 23.01.2019: Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTLM No. 62: Davide Rigon (ITA) James Calado (GBR) Alessandro

Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTLM No. 62: Davide Rigon (ITA)
                                                                                 James Calado (GBR)
                                                                                 Alessandro Pier Guidi (ITA)
                                                                                 Miguel Molina (ESP)
 



After a successful test at the recent Roar Before the 24, the popular Risi Competizione Ferrari Team is back for the 57th running of the historic Rolex 24 At Daytona, January 25-28.



This year International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) celebrates its 50th anniversary with a field of 47 entries and over 175 drivers at its first round of the 2019 season.
 



As the only Ferrari in the GT Le Mans (GTLM) class, the Risi Competizione Ferrari Team from Houston, Texas will feature a formidable line up of Ferrari factory Competizioni GT drivers, including Italians Davide Rigon and Alessandro Pier Guidi, Brit James Calado and Spaniard Miguel Molina.

 

 
For the Risi Teams' 21st anniversary, they are seeking the elusive Daytona victory, having previously won other endurance classics at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans.
 


Having featured in podium finishes at Daytona three times, in 2017 with a third-place finish, and 2003 and 1999 with second place finishes, the American Ferrari team owned by Giuseppe Risi is hungry for the taste of champagne from the top step of the podium.


 
This year will be Risi Competizione's 14th year at the historic "World Center of Racing", having entered with two car teams three years (2003, 2012, 2018) for a total of 17 entries.


 
The Risi Competizione team is known for its near perfect pit stops, which is mandatory during the gruelling twice-around-the-clock endurance event. With the confidence of the team and the talent of the drivers, the No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari team looks to finally make that victory a tangible achievement this year.
 



Rick Mayer, Risi Competizione Race Engineer:

Once again, the Risi Competizione team has a superb line-up of Ferrari factory drivers, how much confidence does that give you going into a difficult race like the Rolex 24?


"I might be just a bit bias, but I think we have the best driver line up in our class. I think we have the best of the best. All are familiar with the F488 GTLM and all have driven for Risi in the past. I'm very pleased with our driver line up."



 
Preparation and perfect pit stops are critical in endurance racing, how does the team prepare and what gives the Risi Competizione team the edge?


"The car prep is always perfect. The crew does an amazing job with remarkable attention to detail. We keep the same base crew each year. They practice pit work constantly. This isn't their job, it's their passion. The shorter safety car pit stops are where this will show the best. The full fuel fill stops are controlled by fuel fill time. But the GTLM class is super competitive. There are no bad teams or pit crews in this class."


 
Once again, the Ferrari will be fighting against factory teams from Porsche, BMW, Ford and Corvette, in the GTLM class, what are some of the most challenging things the Ferrari team faces from these factory teams?


"Our BoP (balance of performance) certainly isn't where we'd like it to be, which is disappointing. We're at a disadvantage for sure. It will be an uphill battle. Sunday will tell us how much. As a small private non-factory team, we try and work harder and smarter to be competitive. We have limited financial resources. We're constantly in dialog with Ferrari regarding setup, car improvements, etc.; it's a good relationship. But it's a long race, lots can happen. We just need to be there Sunday and hope for a good result."
 



As the Risi Competizione team enters year 21, how has the team changed and grown over the past 20 years?


"Oddly enough a lot of the main team players have been with the team for many, many years. The small turnover and high quality of people is what gave this team results in the past. It's a very cohesive team, everyone is passionate about racing and singularly focused. It's not just a job for them/us."





The race starts at 2:35 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 26 and runs for 24 hours. Practice sessions take place Thursday and Friday and a 15-minute qualifying is schedule for late afternoon on Thursday.




 
Tune-In Information:


Coverage begins Thursday, Jan. 24, with a special IMSA preview show, and continues with live qualifying from 3-5 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

 
The broadcast of the 57th running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona begins Saturday, January 26 at 2 p.m. ET with the first three hours of the race live on NBCSN. A total of over 14 hours will air live and broadcast on NBCSN. Four additional hours are broadcast on the NBC App.


 
Tune in: NBCSN, IMSA Radio, Sirius XM, NBC Sports App, IMSA.tv or the IMSA App.





Barbara J. Burns - photos Risi