BAR1 Finalizes Rolex 24 Driver Lineup

Photo: BAR1

BAR1 Motorsports announced Monday its driver lineup for this weekend’s TUDOR United SportsCar Championship season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Sean Rayhall, who was previously confirmed as a full-season driver for the Brian Alder-led squad, will be joined by James Kovacic, Doug Bielefeld, Gaston Kearby and Tonis Kasemets.

Four of the five drivers had tested Prototype Challenge machinery at the Roar Before the Rolex 24 earlier this month, but with different teams.

Australian rising star Kovacic was at the wheel of PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports’ Oreca FLM09 while SCCA racer Kearby took laps in 8Star Motorsports’ entry. Both have now ended up with BAR1 for the around-the-clock endurance classic.

IndyCar ace E.J. Viso and Chapman Ducote, who both tested for BAR1 at the Roar, will not be part of the lineup.

The Ohio-based team, which fielded two full-season PC entries in the ALMS last year, will focus on a single-car effort for Daytona after funding failed to materialize to field a competitive second entry.

“After a three month break, we are ready to get back to racing,” Alder said. “The team has made some significant gains this off-season, both with our drivers and our crew members.

“Focusing on one car for Daytona is what we felt was best for our team as we go for our fourth PC win in a row because it allows us to keep all of our key team members focused on a single effort.”

The No. 87 BAR1 car is one of nine entries set to do battle in the PC ranks this weekend. The team won the final three ALMS races of the year.

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