TR3 Racing, Lamborghini to Field GTD Pro Entry at Daytona

TR3 Racing will run a GTD Pro-class Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo at the Rolex 24 at Daytona involving factory drivers and previous GTD class winners of the race.

Mirko Bortolotti, Andrea Caldarelli, Marco Mapelli and Rolf Ineichen will team up for Lamborghini’s debut in the top GT class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, which doubles up as TR3 Racing’s first-ever appearance in the series.

The Italian manufacturer has won the standard GTD class at Daytona three times in the last four years, twice with Grasser Racing Team and once with Paul Miller Racing.

As part of a partnership with Lamborghini, Miami-based TR3 Racing is sending a two-car effort up the eastern Florida coast, with the GTD Pro entry joining a GTD Huracan that Sportscar365 reported on earlier this month. 

Jeff Segal and Bill Sweedler, both 2014 class winners, will team up with Squadra Corse factory driver Giacomo Altoe and John Megrue.

“We have come a long way to run in the Rolex 24 for the first time – not only with one entry, but also running a second entry in GTD Pro for Lamborghini,” said TR3 Racing team principal Greg Romanelli.

“I joked with [Lamborghini motorsport bosses] Giorgio [Sanna] and Chris [Ward] that a year ago at the 24 hours we had our first meeting to start this new relationship.

“Now, a year later, we will be at Daytona running a car together in the top GT class. This shows the recognition from Lamborghini of the dedication and hard work from everyone at TR3 Racing.

“I am grateful for this opportunity. We are working day and night to be prepared for the race.

“We are proud to have been selected to run the factory program for Lamborghini at Daytona.”

The GTD Pro entry features the same trio that drove an FFF Racing Team Lamborghini in Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup this year.

Italian drivers Bortolotti, Caldarelli and Mapelli finished fourth in the standings after winning the Barcelona finale, and also topped four of the five qualifying sessions.

Caldarelli formed part of the Paul Miller crew that won at Daytona in 2020, while Bortolotti and Ineichen won consecutively in the two preceding years with Grasser.

Mapelli, who like Bortolotti and Caldarelli is a Squadra Corse factory driver, is the only member of the TR3 Racing crew without a previous Rolex 24 victory on his resume.

“The 24 Hours of Daytona has a special meaning for us and following four podiums in a row we have the aim to fight for the top positions again,” commented Giorgio Sanna, Lamborghini’s Head of Motorsport.

“This race will also open the partnership between Lamborghini and TR3 Racing, an experienced team that I’m sure has the potential to take good results.”

Although TR3 Racing is currently only committed to Daytona, the team is “working on contingencies” to contest the three other Michelin Endurance Cup rounds in 2022.

The team arrives in IMSA competition off the back of campaigns in Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS and Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America.