PR1/MATHIASEN Motorsports to start on pole for the 61st running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona 25.01.2023: PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports will start the 61st running of the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona in the top starting position, having secured the first spot on the grid after winning the Motul Pole Award 100 at the Roar 24 Before the 24 yesterday at Daytona Interna

PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports will start the 61st running of the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona in the top starting position, having secured the first spot on the grid after winning the Motul Pole Award 100 at the Roar 24 Before the 24 yesterday at Daytona International Speedway.



The No. 52 Wynns/Max Connect/RainX/Client Command/Apex Protect Oreca 07 LMP2 entry of returning Champion Ben Keating, two-time ELMS LMP2 Champion Paul-Loup Chatin, British open-wheel rising star Alex Quinn, and world-class four-time Le Mans 24 Hours class winner Nicolas Lapierre, will lead the LMP2 class in the emblematic twice-around-the-clock this upcoming Saturday January 28 at 1:40 PM ET.
 
 
 
PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports showed strong performance all through Friday and Saturday’s practice sessions, while working on continuing the development and set up of the No. 52 Oreca 07 LMP2. Last practice before qualifying, was red flagged due to weather conditions.
 


For Saturday’s qualifying, Ben Keating took the No. 52 Wynns/Max Connect/RainX/Client Command/Apex Protect Oreca 07 LMP2, under tricky weather conditions. "Today was one of the trickier qualifying sessions I've had because of the massive change in wind direction,” said Keating.


“For Daytona, the Bus Stop is a critical turn for lap time. The whole weekend, we had a headwind going into this high-speed corner, which helped the handling of the car with downforce. But for qualifying we had a 19-mph tail wind, which drastically affected the handling in this corner.



 Plus, it gave us a stiff headwind going down the long front straight. Luckily, I was able to use another competitor to draft down the straight, which made a big difference in lap time. I have to give Kudos to the whole PR1 team. We had a flawless Roar weekend. We got through our entire testing protocol. We learned a lot, and I expect to have a great car for the race."
 

Team Principal, Bobby Oergel, said, "The Roar 24 test and Rolex Qualifying has gone very well. I can't really explain how proud and happy I am not only for the great job Ben has done to put us on pole, but also what Paul, Alex and Nico have done this week to continue the development of our race car. The crew has done a great job and have worked very hard for this pole position. It's now 4 for 4 pole positions here for the Rolex race with Ben, now it's time for that Rolex watch!"
 


"I couldn't be more pleased with the team's performance last weekend at the Roar,” said Team Principal, Ray Mathiasen. “It looks like our off-season testing program has paid off and we're in a great position to win the Rolex 24. It's been a long time since our last win there. With 10 cars competing in LMP2, we'll definitely need a strong performance and a little luck wouldn't hurt."
 
 
 

Frenchman driver Paul-Loup Chatin, said, "First, thanks to Ben, we will start the Rolex 24 at Daytona from the pole position. Ben did a really good lap and managed really well the qualifying session. Side to that, I am really happy about the Roar!



The team have done a really great job all long week and the car looks great. We know that the race will be really long and difficult but I am really happy to have a really strong team and teammates. I know that together, as a team, we will have the opportunity to fight for the top."
 


"It's great to see the No. 52 car qualify quickest after working through a lot of stuff over the practice sessions,” said, British driver Alex Quinn. “Ben done a fantastic lap but has been very quick in general so it is clearly what he deserves."
 


"It was great qualifying, super drive from Ben,” said Frenchman, Nicolas Lapierre. “Very nice lap for him, in a very short qualifying, he did very good. I feel very happy with how the Roar went. We had a good pace all through the weekend. The car seems to be good; the team is prepared; we know there still work to do. The conditions will be different this week, weather will be hotter, so settings and set up of the car will be different. I'm really looking forward to it!"


 
Now all eyes are set on the 61st running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway, to be held on this Saturday, January 28. Sixty-one cars will take the green flag in America’s biggest sportscar race of the year, which kicks off the IMSA season. The weekend will kick off with three practice session on Thursday, followed by one practice on Friday.


The Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona International Speedway starts on Saturday, January 28 at 1:40 PM ET, with live coverage available on Peacock for the full 24-hour cycle, while NBC and USA Networks will provide coverage during specific timeframes. For the full broadcasting schedule and more information about the Rolex 24, click here.
 
 
 



Speed Group -  photos  Sideline Sports Photography⁣