IMSA’s final pre-season test, the Roar Before the 24, is being held this weekend at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. The No.5 Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPi-V.R drivers are looking forward to the added track time before the running of the 55th Annual Rolex 24 at Daytona, January 28-29.
Three-time consecutive IMSA Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup Champions João Barbosa and Christian Fittipaldi will co-drive the No. 5 Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPi-V.R. Christian joins João as a newly elected member of the Road Racing Driver’s Club for 2016. Filipe Albuquerque will also return as the 2017 TPNAEC driver after competing with the No.5 Mustang Sampling Team during the 2016 season.
This year marks Cadillac’s first prototype race car since 2002. All Action Express Racing drivers were able to get acclimated with their new Cadillac race car as part of an IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship 2-day test at Daytona International Speedway last December.
The two-time IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Prototype Champion, João Barbosa is ready to see where his No. 5 Mustang Sampling Cadillac compares to the competition.
“We have been looking forward to 2017 for a long time. All of our off-season testing has shown Cadillac has built a great car for us. Now we finally get a chance to get on the track with all of the other cars. Action Express Racing is a team that is always working hard to compete for wins and championships. We are very excited about our chances!”
The No. 5 Mustang Sampling Team will hit the track
on Friday, January 6 at 10:20 AM.
João Barbosa
The three-time and co-defending IMSA Tequila Patron’ North American Endrance Cup Champion, João Barbosa returns to Action Express Racing to drive the familiar #5 yellow, black and white Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPi-V.R seeking his third IMSA WeatherTech Championship at the pinnacle of North American sports car competition. João resides in Ormond Beach, FL with his wife and two sons. He is an avid runner and cyclist.
Christian Fittipaldi
Two-time IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Champion driver Christian Fittipaldi returns to Action Express Racing for his fifth full season of competition following a third consecutive Tequila Patron’ North American Endurance Cup Championship with co-driver João Barbosa. Outside of sports car racing, the Brazilian satiates his need for competition by racing in mountain bike and karting events, both in the U.S. and his home country of Brazil.
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