Grasser Confirms Two-Car Rolex 24 Effort with Lamborghini

Photo: Vision Sport Agency

Blancpain GT Series regulars Grasser Racing Team will make its U.S. race debut in next month’s Rolex 24 at Daytona, having confirmed a two-car Lamborghini Huracan GT3 effort for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season-opener.

The Austrian squad, led by Gottfried Grasser, will also enter the Twelve Hours of Sebring in March, but with one car, with an eye towards completing the remainder of the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup.

Lamborghini factory driver Mirko Bortolotti will be joined by Christian Engelhart, Rolf Ineichen and Ezequil Companc in one car for Daytona, with Engelhart and Ineichen set to also drive the second entry with a to-be-determined co-drivers.

Grasser got its first taste of Daytona earlier this year, having supported Change Racing’s effort, as well as the overall Lamborghini Squadra Corse technical support team, in the Italian manufacturer’s GT3 debut race in North America.

“It’s the next childhood dream coming true,” Grasser said. “Already in 2016 when we were in Daytona as support, I was adamant that we would be there racing in 2017.

“It will be a very hard race with a lot of new manufacturers like Lexus, Honda and Mercedes taking part but we are confident. The race will be fantastic.

“Together with our partner Lamborghini we will have a good chance with our two GRT cars I believe.”

The team will take part in next week’s IMSA-sanctioned test at Daytona, followed by the Roar Before the Rolex 24, in the build up to the twice-around-the-clock Florida endurance classic.

“A big thank-you goes to my guys for managing this extremely difficult logistic task,” Grasser said. “Bringing a team from Europe to the U.S. for sure is not easy.

“But we are really looking forward to getting there at the beginning of December and start working.”

Grasser will have a busy month of January, having also confirmed a two-car entry for the Hankook 24 Hours of Dubai.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John