DragonSpeed Exploring Rolex 24 Effort with Mercedes, 2016 Options

Photo: Brian Cleary/BCPix.com

While having announced a move to LMP2 with the purchase of an Oreca 05 Nissan for 2016, DragonSpeed team principal Elton Julian has reaffirmed its commitment to GT racing, including possible efforts in both the U.S. and abroad next year.

The Florida-based squad, which currently competes in Pirelli World Challenge and the Blancpain Endurance Series, could add a TUDOR United SportsCar Championship GT Daytona class effort with Mercedes, according to Julian.

“We have four GT3 cars in house right now,” Julian told Sportscar365. “Our customers are keen to race them, whether it’s Daytona or Spa or for a full season in any of the series.”

Julian has reaffirmed the team’s commitment to Mercedes, having fielded three of the SLS AMG GT3s in World Challenge this year, and the possibility of moving those cars to other championships in 2016.

“Eric Lux for example is looking at the possibility of taking his SLS to international events just as we did when we raced in Dubai and Bathurst with him in our R8,” he said.

“Spa 24 is somewhere were we could help him and have a program around him and his car.

“We’re also going to start pitching the new AMG GT3 to people. At this point, the main focus is to do the job right.”

Victor Gomez, which DragonSpeed has fielded in PWC’s MOMO GT Cup class, could make the move to the IMSA-sanctioned Porsche GT3 Cup by Yokohama series.

Julian is also targeting a GTD class program for the Rolex 24 at Daytona with its ex-HTP Motorsport Mercedes, which is interestingly owned by the team’s engineer Mark Schomann.

“[Mark’s]been around historics and has an understanding of the value as well as the history,” Julian said.

“He bought the HTP car that won the 24 Hours of Spa [in 2013] and has a lot of important history winning the Blancpain GT championship. Since the car is a gullwing, it will increase its value over time.

“If Frankie [Montecalvo] can win the PWC GTA championship, it will be the first [modern-day] Mercedes to win its class in any championship in America. It would add to the story.

“We’re hoping to enter the car in Daytona next year so it can win another 24-hour race.”

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