TRG-AMR Announces Perez Partnership, First Car at Daytona

TRG-AMR has revealed two surprise announcements on Christmas Eve, first announcing Sergio Perez in a team partnership and four others who will actually drive the No. 007 Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 in the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Perez, the Mexican Formula 1 ace, was announced as a team partner in a non-driving role. His longtime supporter, Carlos Slim, will support the car’s effort by way of Telcel branding.

“I’m proud to put this team of strong drivers in the hands of TRG-Aston Martin Racing for one of the biggest sports car races of the year,” he said. “Our sponsors will love this new exposure, and I know the Mexican fans will be cheering our guys through all 24 hours!”

“This has been a long-term project as we have been working on putting together this type of Mexican driver program since our first Daytona 24, with Carlos Slim and Jimmy Morales in partnership with the team in 2005,” added TRG-AMR CEO and team principal Kevin Buckler.

While Perez is the high-profile name announced today, he won’t be part of the driving lineup itself.

Ricardo Perez, Antonio Perez, Santiago Creel and Lars Viljoen will drive the No. 007 entry at Daytona. The quartet has several years of racing experience but very few starts at Daytona; the most recent starter was Ricardo Perez in the Racers Edge Motorsports Mazda RX-8 in 2013.

Ricardo Perez is a past Ferrari Challenge champion, Antonio Perez has raced primarily in Mexico, Creel has brief TRG-AMR experience and Viljoen has advanced from open-wheel junior formula into sports cars, racing primarily in Europe.

TRG-AMR previously announced plans for a second entry at the Rolex 24. However, it remains to be seen whether that car would be a second TRG-AMR entry (so an additional car), or the previously announced Aston Martin Racing entry featuring Paul Dalla Lana among others, revealed by Sportscar365 earlier this month.