A NEW YEAR’S EVOLUTION: PERFORMANCE TECH MOTORSPORTS HEADS TO THE WORLD CENTER OF RACING

Performance Tech Motorsports and its three LMP3 entries are set to compete in the inaugural IMSA Prototype Challenge endurance race this weekend at Daytona International Speedway.

The 2019 season evolves the Prototype Challenge series further as the Mazda Prototype Challenge class is now retired, replaced solely by the closed cockpit LMP3. Performance Tech Motorsports is charging into the new year with three full season Ligier LMP3 entrants, Cameron Cassels, Blake Mount and Brad Baker. The trio run the three-hour Scouts of America Race for IMSA Prototype Challenge 24 Saturday, Jan. 5. The time extension comes after the 2018 switch to the one hour and 45-minute endurance race format.

“We ran LMP3 for the first time last year with Cameron and had a great deal of success,” Team Principal Brent O’Neill said. “We were able to win the Masters Championship so I feel really confident about what we can do headed into this season. We have a great lineup of drivers who have all been testing in the off season and I can’t wait to see what they can do once we hit the track in Daytona.”

“We also have James driving with Cameron and Kyle driving with Brad this season in LMP3. It’s really cool to be able to put them into these cars to help our newer drivers get up to speed and win some championships.”

Cassels, British Columbia, is entering the weekend riding the momentum of his 2018 LMP3 Masters Championship. He returns to Daytona Intentional Speedway with the goal to outperform his 2018 results, third in Masters qualifying and fourth in the race. Joined for the first time by Performance Tech WeatherTech Sportscar Championship driver James French, Sheboygan, Wisconsin, fans can be sure to spot his No. 75 sporting a new white and blue livery designed by Cassel’s children, charging through the field as he embarks on his journey for back-to-back championships.

Performance Tech is excited to welcome new faces to the new series format as well. Brad Baker will pilot the blue and white No. 19 LMP3 with his brother Dean Baker and the 2017 IMSA Prototype Challenge champion Kyle Masson. Baker took to the track once before with Performance Tech at the Michelin SportsCar Encore; however, this will be his first official Prototype Challenge race in season with Performance Tech Motorsports.

After rigorous off-season testing Blake Mount will also make his debut in the series behind the wheel of the No. 7. Mount will split his seat time with Performance Tech Motorsports veteran Jùlio Campos.

The Scouts of America Race for IMSA Prototype Challenge is the only race of the weekend but not the only series on track. The WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, as well as the Michelin Pilot Challenge, are at the Roar testing for the upcoming race season. Performance Tech’s No. 38 Centinel Spine LMP2 is partaking in the weekend festivities in preparation for the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

The Scouts of America Race for IMSA Prototype Challenge takes place Saturday, Jan. 5 at 12:15 p.m. EST. The field hits the track at Friday, Jan. 4 at 9:00m a.m. for Practice One followed by Practice Two at 1:15 p.m. The series rounds out the day with qualifying at 5:15 p.m.

Source. Performance Tech Motorsports/Photo. Jake Galstad/LAT Images