TRG-AMR Targeting Single Full-Season GTD Entry

Kevin Buckler’s TRG-AMR team returns to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with the first portion of its program set for the Rolex 24 at Daytona, featuring the debut of a Mexican business-to-business partnership with Formula 1 star Sergio Perez and an all-new driver lineup.

The next phase in the process is developing the team’s plans for the remainder of the season.

Buckler told Sportscar365 the team is working toward a single-car, full-season entry with its existing No. 007 Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 for Sebring and beyond in the GT Daytona class.

“Yes, the plan is still targeting full-season, one car,” Buckler told Sportscar365.

The team will have Antonio Perez – Sergio’s brother – along with Ricardo Perez, Santiago Creel and Lars Viljoen in the No. 007 car for the race.

Sergio Perez is not at this week’s Roar Before the Rolex 24 test but is expected to be in Daytona for the Rolex 24 weekend and race itself.

“It’ll definitely be one of the Perez boys, we think Antonio as the lead, with Sergio helping us,” Buckler said. “He obviously has conflicts with his F1 schedule.

“We are completely aligned at the hip, he and I, promoting the opportunities for these sponsors to be working with us.”

TRG-AMR will only have one car for the Rolex 24 itself, which will mark a first in Buckler’s 21-year history in the race dating to his first drive in 1996, and first time as a team owner in 1997. Traditionally, TRG has had anywhere from two to seven cars in the race over the last 20 years.

With one of the older spec FIA GT3 cars compared to the wave of new FIA GT3-spec cars arriving at Daytona this weekend, Buckler is bullish on the Aston Martin’s chances for the race.

“We think there is (an advantage),” Buckler said. “We’re sitting on our hand. I couldn’t believe how many cars didn’t make first session, or blew up.

“I have a car that flies and runs like a tank. Hopefully if we get the BoP right, we’ll have a competitive piece.”