December 16, 2022 – Fresno, California. – PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports is pleased to announce its 2023 Michelin Endurance Cup driver lineup for the No. 52 Wynns/Max Connect/RainX/Client Command/Apex Protect Oreca 07 LMP2 entry with returning Champion Ben Keating, two-time ELMS LMP2 Champion, Frenchman Paul-Loup Chatin, and British open-wheel rising star Alex Quinn. For the 61st edition of the Rolex 24 at Daytona to be held in January 2023, the No. 52 will be joined for the third consecutive year, by world-class four-time Le Mans 24 Hours class winner, Frenchman Nicolas Lapierre.
The driver lineup for the No. 52 Wynns/Max Connect/RainX/Client Command/Apex Protect Oreca 07 LMP2 for the sprint races of the IMSA WeatherTech Championship events will be announced soon.
“It’s been a very exciting time for the team since our last event,” said Team Principal Bobby Oergel. “We’ve had a unique opportunity to test some great drivers and are more than happy to have Ben (Keating), Paul (Loup Chatin), Alex (Quinn) and Nico (Lapierre) in the seats for the program.”
“We know we can count on Ben’s speed and reliability; Alex has learned very quickly about the LMP2 car and shows great things are to come as he grows his experience in sports cars. We’ve raced against Paul for a few years and I’m very happy we won’t have to compete against him again, he has been great to work with in our tests and we really look forward to a successful season ahead. Having Nico back with us for a third Rolex 24 is very special as well, he’s such a pleasure to work with and brings so much experience and speed to the team.” Oergel finalized.
The team and defending 2022 LMP2 Michelin Endurance Cup Champion, will continue with its 2022 livery design showcasing the colors of the team main sponsor, Wynns, in the No. 52 Wynns/Max Connect/RainX/Client Command/Apex Protect Oreca 07 LMP2.
“Although many things about this Rolex 24 will be the same as they have been for the past 3 years, there will be many changes for 2023,” said Ben Keating. “I have a renewed energy to perform even better than ever before. I am very excited about the engagement I have had with PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports in the off-season and all of the things we have done to improve from our championship winning performance.”
“It looks to me like 2023 will be the most competitive field the LMP2 class IMSA has ever had. And we will be ready to be at the top.” Keating added. “I am super excited about Paul Loup Chatin and Alex Quinn. I believe they are both extremely strong and we will make a great team. I am excited to learn from them and for them to learn from me. There is a great energy within the team this year. It just feels special. We are all focused and working in the same direction.”
“I am also really excited to have Nico Lapierre with me again for the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Nico is such a joy to work with and he is extremely quick. This will be our third year together for this race, and we are both focused on coming home with a new watch,” Keating finalized.
“I am really happy to join a successful team like PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports for the Endurance Championship,” said Paul-Loup Chatin. “I feel really lucky to share the car with Ben Keating, who is a fabulous driver and an iconic face of the Endurance motorsport family. Also, I’m really pleased to welcome the young talent, Alex Quinn. I’m sure that all together will be able to fight for the top. Moreover, it’s an honor for me to have Nicolas Lapierre side with us for Rolex 24 at Daytona, he’s an example for me,” Chatin finalized.
“I am really happy to join PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports for the Endurance Championship,” said Alex Quinn. “It is a great opportunity for me, so I have to thank the individuals who have made this happen and I will put all my efforts into rewarding them with success. It is great to be joining Ben, who I believe is the best bronze in the world, and then Paul, who has shown his immense speed over the years in this category. I look forward to putting everything I have learned in my career to use and also learn more from this experienced team. There’s no better way to start the year than at the Rolex 24 and being joined by Nico Lapierre to complete the lineup, should be fantastic.” Quinn concluded.
“I am very pleased to go back to Daytona, it is such an exciting race; I really want to succeed there, so going back with PR1 was for sure the best option,” said Nicolas Lapierre. “I know how good the team is, and this year we have a fantastic lineup. Racing with Ben, Paul, and Alex, makes us a very competitive lineup. This year the field will be tough. There will be a lot of cars overall. Traffic will be challenging. The LMP2 field is going to look very strong as well. But we are ready to fight and we can’t wait to start!” Lapierre finalized.
The Roar Before the Rolex 24 will be the official start of the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship activities for the season. PR1/ Mathiasen Motorsports is coming into the Roar Before the Rolex 24 after winning the 2022 IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup Championship title in the LMP2 category. The team will use “The Roar before the Rolex 24” to acclimate themselves with their new driver lineup, the car, and track. The four PR1 drivers will share the wheel of the No. 52 Wynns/Max Connect/RainX/Client Command/Apex Protect LMP2 for the first time at the 3-day event, in preparation for the Rolex 24. For the full schedule and more information about the Roar, click here.
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