Guasch, Novich Set for PR1/Mathiasen

Andrew Novich and Mike Guasch will share the No. 52 PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports Oreca FLM09 for the entire 2015 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship season in the Prototype Challenge class.

This will mark Novich’s first full season and a return to full-time driving for Guasch, the 2013 American Le Mans Series PC champion.

“The last time we ran a full season together we were able to win the driver’s championship, which was incredible for all involved,” Guasch said. “After taking last year off, 2013 seems like a long time ago which is why I am so eager to get started this year.

“All of the recent changes to the PC class should make for close competition and the schedule is better than ever. It’ll be great to drive with Andrew all year as well. Both of us are NorCal guys and I’m hoping we can spend a lot of time training together and even hitting up the kart track at Sonoma throughout the year.”

Novich steps up from the IMSA Prototype Lites division. He also made a single ALMS GTC class start with TRG’s Porsche GT3 Cup car in the 2013 ALMS race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

“My first year in Lites was eye opening, just getting used to the horsepower ratio and high downforce levels,” Novich said. “They were a blast to drive, making my transition to the PC car much easier. In all honesty, the PC car is a dream to drive, but it definitely keeps you on the edge during the high speed corners.”

The Bobby Oergel-led team completed a recent test at Buttonwillow Raceway Park in California. Oergel explained the changes needed to compete in PC for 2015.

“The technical package includes changes to the ride height, pulling out the air restrictor, revised engine camshafts, and increases to the downforce package at certain tracks,” he said. “It’ll be key to get a handle on these changes as soon as possible and the find those precious tenths needed to run up front in this highly competitive spec category.”

The Novich/Guasch pairing replaces the 2014 lineup of Gunnar Jeannette and Frankie Montecalvo, who ended fourth in the PC class points standings with a single podium finish, third at the season-ending Petit Le Mans.

The remainder of the PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports lineup for the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup races should be announced in the coming days.