Next weekend’s Rolex 24 Hour at Daytona will feature a special livery on the Era Motorsport LMP2 car designed by a six-year-old fan from Canada.
Owen, a third-generation sportscar fan from Ottawa, was announced as the winner of the team’s livery contest competition, which ran for over a year.
The competition was initially held for the 2020 Petit Le Mans. But when the global pandemic and a commitment to Le Mans made the team withdraw from the event, the livery contest was deferred to the 2021 Daytona 24 Hour.
According to team owner Kyle Tiley, Era received a “wide variety” of designs from fans worldwide.
But it was Owen’s red, yellow and blue crayon design that caught the judges’ eye. The livery even features flames and a lightning bolt.
“It was so great to see so many interesting designs from so many sports car fans and aspiring designers,” Tiley said.
“We hope we gave them something to do during what has been a tough time for everyone.
“In the end, we reviewed all the images, and we knew the Owen’s drawing was the winner. He clearly loves racing, and we hope this gives him an experience he’ll never forget.”
When the team notified Owen that his design would land on the car, he submitted the following thank-you note:
“Hello Kyle Tilley and Era Motorsports.
“Thank you for this contest. My name is Owen, and I am 6 3/4 [years old]. My favourite things are racing and hockey. I am learning to drive on a racing simulator. I chose this design because I like the colours and thunderbolts and flames are cool.
“This was fun because my grandpa, dad, and me all like racing and we were stuck at home during COVID.
“Owen.”
The team has also invited Owen and his father to attend an IMSA event this year as their guests once mass gathering restrictions are lifted.
The Daytona 24 Hour will be over January 30-31. Two Kiwis will be apart of a 50-strong grid with Scott Dixon reuniting with Chip Ganassi Racing and Earl Bamber making Team Hardpoint EBM’s debut.