But will Any of them win their respective Classes?
Just days, or the following day after Romain
Grosjean had left the employment of Lamborghini’s Squadra Corse. Saying He
didn’t want to drive GT3 machinery, but prototypes instead, Chuh-Ching!
Grosjean announced He was very excited to be
joining Myers Riley Racing for Daytona, behind the wheel of their No. 16 Ford
Mustang GT3 Evo. Joining Jenson Altznan, Sheena Monk and Felipe Fraga.
With the “pausing” of Lamborghini’s SC63
programme, Riley Motorsports has also shut down it’s LMP2 effort with the
retirement of Gar Robinson. Thus seeing Riley embark upon it’s latest project,
in conjunction with Ross Myers.
As the press release casually noted that Myers
was the proprietor of 3 Dog Garage, a vintage Automotive museum in Pennsylvania.
As Ross’s early passion for automobiles began
when piecing together His first Hot rod at age 8! And much later taking up
racing…
Yet 3 Dog Garage surely, couldn’t be what funds
the new race team could it? Before finding serendipitously on Ye Intrawoods’ an
article from Virginia Tech’s Engineering department for A. Ross Myres, Class of
1972. Graduating with a BS in Civil Engineering.
As the family construction business has grown
into the colossus known as American Infrastructure today, which Ross is the
President and CEO of. A leading Civil Engineering company ranked in the Top 50
of Heavy and Highway Contractors.
Ross
Myres – Virginia Tech Alumni
As the #16 Dark Horse represents one half of
Ford’s GTD entries; with the Gradient Racing No. 66 the other half.
Next, Callum Ilott announced a full season
campaign driving the No. 120 Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 R GT3 Evo with new
team owner Adam Adelson. Noting His IMSA GTD campaign will “Dovetail” with His
IndyCar programme. Having heard David Land say that both Ilott’s and Robert Shwartzman’s
contracts for the 2026 IndyCar season had been taken up. As we’re just Ah-waitin’
to find out the details of Prema Racing or whomever it’ll be called?
Arse-suming they show up on the grid this year…
Then Marcus Ericsson announced He would race at
Daytona for Wayne Taylor Racing, (WTR) behind the keyboard of it’s No. 45
Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo2, also in GTD.
And with Will Power’s engagement as part of the
75 Express Racing’s No. 75 Mercedes-AMG GT3; that gives us a total of at least
three current IndyCar drivers, or is it four? Uhm, has Dale Coyne announced who
His “lead” driver this year is?
As Power joins reigning Supercars Champion Chad
Moster, team owner Kenny Habul and Mercedes-Benz Werks’ Hotschue’ Maro Engel;
whose won the Rolex 24 twice, behind the No. 75 Mercs’ keyboard in the GTD Pro
category…
Not to mention thee Mayor ‘O Hinchtown’, nee
James Hinchcliffe once again “Moonlighting” in the #9 Pfaff Motorsports
Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo2. As the Kuhnaidiun’ race team’s shiny, new Lamborghini
Temerario, the Huracan’s replacement won’t debut until the 12 Hours of Sebring…
Pfaff’s
Lamborghini Temerario Headlines new line-up at IMS Daytona Test
The above article was posted on Racer.com, which
refuses to update its website to comply with current Web Content Accessibility
Guidelines standards. Specifically WCAG 2.2 to enable ease of access for Blind
or Visually Impaired readers.
The “lowly” GT3 Saloon ranks should be quite
entertaining to watch. Since this doesn’t even include the full season’s Usual
suspects, i.e.; Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Lamborghini, Lexus,
McLaren, Mercedes, Porsche. As think I got ‘em All?
Along with the debuts of two famous racing name
sons in GT Daytona. (GTD) With Eduardo Barrichello making His full season debut
with Heart of Racing’s No. 27 Aston Martin Vantage. While Lorenzo Patrese makes
another cameo appearance aboard the No. 34 Conquest Racing Ferrari 296 GT3, run
by former IndyCar driver Eric Bachelart.
Lucas Auer, nephew of Gerhard Berger, continues
His longtime association with Windward Racing aboard it’s No. 57 Mercedes-AMG,
but I digress…
Speaking ‘O McLaren, Oopsadaisy! Like I Dunno,
I sort of forgot. Since it just doesn’t sound right. Regarding the debut of
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and it’s No. 59 McLaren 720S GT3 Evo in the DTD
Pro category.
As RLL Team McLaren has listed Max Esterson,
Juri Vips and Dean MacDonald initially in December, with a fourth driver as
TBA. Hmm, will it be Graham Rahal or Mick Schumacher?
Nope! On January 13th, RLLR announced that
Nikita Johnson was the fourth, and final driver for Daytona. With Johnson being
named to a fulltime ride alongside Esterson. As Johnson, (Age 17) will also
contest His rookie Indy NXT campaign driving for Cape Motorsports Powered by
ECR.
Whilst I didn’t even know that Mclaren had
established a GT Driver Academy, previously known as Mclaren GT Young Driver
Academy, before “looking-up” Dean MacDonald’s background. As MacDonald has run
a variety of GT race programs, including the GT World Challenge European
Series.
Max Esterson was also totally unknown to Mwah.
Having raced briefly in Formula 2, making His debut at the season finale in
2024 for Trident. Then continuing thru the Monza weekend in September, before leaving
the championship prior to Baku.
Esterson made His IMSA debut driving for JDC
Miller Motorsport at Petit Le Mans aboard their Porsche 963 in the GTP category,
before landing His ride with RLL Team McLaren this season.
Meanwhile, Andretti Global IndyCar driver “Kirk”,
Err Kyle Kirkwood continues His “Endurance Specialist” role with Vasser
Sullivan racing. Joining the No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3 GTD Pro entry, reuniting with
regular chauffeurs Ben Barnicoat and Bloody “Union Jack” Hawksworth. As this
trio has been victorious previously, having won the 2024 Sebring 12 Hours GTD
Pro category.
Then on January 5th, I learned that ScottyMac’,
nee Scott Mclaughlin has joined DXDT Racing’s No. 36 GTD Corvette Z06 GT3.R
entry. Which Before the official press release on Jan 7th named McLaughlin
joining Salih Yoluc and Charlie Eastwood, and DXDT newcomer Mason Filippi.
As ScottyMac’ contested last year’s Rolex 24
driving the Trackhouse by TF Sport’s All Star Corvette Z06 GT3.R for the first
time.
Whilst I was totally unaware that McLaughlin
had raced in last September’s Suzuka 1000KM race. Finishing third for Johor
Motorsport’s alongside GM Factory drivers Alexander Simms and Nicky Catsburg
aboard a Corvette Z06 GT3R.
Also learning that new Chip Ganassi Racing
(CGR) Indy NXT driver James Roe will co-drive the No. 80 Lone Star Racing
Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo in the GTD category.
Interestingly, Roe’s joined by Aussie’ Scott
Anderws, Netherlands Lin Hodenius and Estonian Ralf Aron. The latter I’m
wondering if related to Alpine F1 test and reserve driver Paul Aron?
Yes, Paul is Ralf’s brother, some six years younger…
