IMSA News & Notes, 2.24

Photo: Jeroen Bleekemolen

***A number of TUDOR United SportsCar Championship teams have been testing this past week, including Riley Motorsports (Dodge Viper GT3-R), Turner Motorsport (BMW Z4 GT3), Michael Shank Racing (Ligier JS P2 Honda), Team Falken Tire (Porsche 911 RSR) and BAR1 Motorsports (Oreca FLM09), all at Sebring International Raceway.

***8Star Motorsports has sold its 2014 race-winning Prototype Challenge car. The Oreca FLM09, which claimed victories at Virginia International Raceway and Circuit of The Americas, has gone to Savannah Race Engineering, which will use it in historic racing. Team owner Enzo Potolicchio told Sportscar365 their primary focus will be on Indy Lights this year, although not ruling out a return to IMSA in the future, given the right opportunity.

***Despite being first on the reserve list, TI Automotive/Riley Motorsports is still pushing along with plans for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with the Bill Riley-led squad planning a shakedown for its Dodge Viper GTS-R GTE-Am entry in early April prior it shipping to France later in the month. Jeroen Bleekemolen and Ben Keating would be two of the drivers, should it gain a confirmed entry.

***It was a memorable past month at Daytona for Ford, which swept Speedweeks with wins in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Xfinity Series and Daytona 500. Combined with Chip Ganassi Racing’s overall victory with its Ford EcoBoost-powered Riley DP in the Rolex 24, the Blue Oval claimed victories in all of the major races at Daytona.

***TRG-AMR North America is offering packages for customers wanting to compete in this year’s Aston Martin Le Mans Festival, the official support race to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The race is open to a variety of Aston Martins, with the Kevin Buckler-owned operation making available Vantage GT3 and GT4 cars for the event.

***Michael Shank is the host of a new racing television show, Pit Pass, which airs Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. ET on Time Warner Cable Sports Channel in Ohio. Shank and former Ohio State and NFL player Matt Finkes discuss all things racing, from NASCAR to sports cars, with the team owner also providing insight into his Pataksala, Ohio-based P2 team.

***FOX Sports GO is now available to Direct TV customers, expanding the App’s reach to the majority of cable and satellite providers. A dedicated TUDOR Championship channel is featured in the App, available in the iTunes, Android and Windows store, which will be home to live coverage throughout the season.

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