D3+ Transformers to Miss Daytona

Photo: Dawson Racing

D3+ Transformers Racing will miss the start of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season, with an eye to debut at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in March.

The Texas-based team, which announced a partnership with the Hasbro franchise last year, did not appear on the entry list for this weekend’s Roar Before the Rolex 24.

“We’ve had a few delays, as often happens with a new team, new car, new infrastructure,” said team principal Ian Dawson.

“Although we would love to commence the season at the Rolex 24 At Daytona, it is also one of the most grueling races in the world.

“We decided that rather than rush with a new car not yet tested, new drivers, new team, to try to make the Roar Before the 24 test days at Daytona the first week of January and then the race just over two weeks later, we would delay our race start.”

It’s understood the team has yet to take delivery of its Ligier JS P217 Gibson, although believed to not be related to any production delays from Onroak Automotive.

Onroak retook possession of the chassis Spirit of Daytona Racing utilized last year and has been at its Denver, N.C. base in ready-to-race configuration.

The team had a Ligier JS P3 on display during its launch event at the Motul Petit Le Mans in October, where it announced Robbie Kerr as its first driver.

“We would like to do a proper testing program in the U.S. with our new Onroak Ligier Gibson LMP2 in January and February and go into the 12 Hours of Sebring in March with a solid team structure,” Dawson added.

“This will also allow us to finalize further details with our core partners and best be able to enter the season in a position of strength.”

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