Starworks Set for Riley-BMW DP Effort in NAEC

Starworks Motorsport is set to enter a Riley-BMW DP in next year’s Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup, as the Florida-based team is in the process of finalizing its Prototype class entry for the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship season.

Team owner Peter Baron confirmed to Sportscar365 Thursday that plans are in place to enter the four-round Patron Endurance Cup with its DP contender, with former FIA World Endurance Championship pilot Tor Graves among the driver lineup.

Baron said two other undisclosed drivers have also already been signed for the season-opening round, with hopes of expanding the effort into a full-season program, depending on the results at Daytona and Twelve Hours of Sebring.

“It’s an effort to win,” Baron told Sportscar365. “This year will be a good opportunity to try and get that elusive [Rolex] watch. We’ve been runner up two times and I won’t quit until I get that green granite pyramid and the drivers watches.”

Starworks made selected starts with its Riley DP this year, which was converted to fit Honda’s 3.5-liter V6 turbo engine. However, following a pair of outings at Sebring and Road America, the team is poised to shift its focus back to the Dinan-tuned BMW powerplant instead.

The car could appear in Martini colors (pictured above), although Baron said they are discussing sponsorship with a number of other parties. He expects a formal announcement on the program to be made next week.

The team is also finalizing a Prototype Challenge effort, with news expected by the end of this week.

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