Kimber-Smith, Palmer Complete PR1/Mathiasen Lineup for Daytona

Photo: DarrenPierson.com

As expected, PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports confirmed Friday the remainder of its lineup for next weekend’s Rolex 24 at Daytona, which will see Tom Kimber-Smith and Andrew Palmer join full-season drivers Mike Guasch and Andrew Novich.

All four of the drivers turned laps in the team’s No. 52 Oreca FLM09 Prototype Challenge entry at last weekend’s Roar Before the Rolex 24.

Both Kimber-Smith and Silver-rated Palmer will be making their respective debuts with the California-based team, although the Englishman is no stranger to PC machinery, having scored a podium finish at Daytona last year with 8Star Motorsports.

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity Bobby [Oergel, PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports team owner] and all of the guys have given me and I look forward to helping the team get their first win at Daytona,” Kimber-Smith said.

Palmer, meanwhile, will be making his Rolex 24 and prototype debut and had favorable first impressions of the famed circuit.

“When we first got to Daytona, the NASCAR banking just looked like walls to me,” Palmer said. “Once you get on them they are a lot of fun and it was interesting to experience a little of what the stock-car guys go through.

“Everyone on the team ran well we’re all feeling comfortable so we’re looking forward to push for the podium late Sunday afternoon.”

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