Racing Team Nederland Confirms IMSA Switch; VeeKay for Daytona

Photo: Jake Galstad/IMSA

Racing Team Nederland will take on a full IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup program in LMP2 next year, having confirmed its lineup for the season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona.

The TDS Racing-run operation will field an Oreca 07 Gibson for Frits van Eerd, Giedo van der Garde, Dylan Murry and will be joined by IndyCar race winner Rinus VeeKay for the seaso-opener.

The move to IMSA competition comes after winning the LMP2 Pro-Am sub-class of the FIA World Endurance Championship this year.

As reported by Sportscar365 in August, the Dutch squad, which took part in this year’s Rolex 24, had been evaluating a switch to the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

However, instead of contesting a full season, it will concentrate on the four long-distance races that includes the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring and Motul Petit Le Mans.

“Since we won the world title in 2021, the timing of this new challenge is perfect,” sad van Eerd. “I have loved racing in the wonderful FIA WEC, but I have always said that at some point I would like to take Racing Team Nederland to IMSA as well.

“I studied in the USA and attended IMSA races back then. So, to now do these four famous IMSA races is really a dream come true for me.

“At the beginning of 2021 we did the Rolex 24 at Daytona already. That was a fantastic experience and I am very happy to go back for the complete Endurance Cup series.”

Van der Garde added: “After winning the world title this year, this is a great sequel. Racing in America is always a fantastic experience and after our debut in the Rolex 24 at Daytona we only became more enthusiastic. I am really looking forward to the coming season.”

Murry, who competed with Riley Motorsports in the LMP3 ranks in the 2021 season, will make the step up to LMP2 competition for the first time.

The 20-year-old Silver-rated driver also contested Porsche Carrera Cup North America presented by The Cayman Islands this year.

“We race in America now, so as our Silver ranked-driver I wanted a young American talent on the team,” van Eerd explained. “Dylan is fast and he also already knows all the circuits that we will race on this year.”

Murry added: “Being part of Racing Team Nederland is a great opportunity for me. I can’t wait to do my first race in the Jumbo car in Daytona and hope we can win races this year and fight for the title.”

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