As the grid begins to shape up for the Rolex 24 at Daytona another Kiwi can be added to the entry list following this morning’s announcement that Scott McLaughlin will compete for Tower Motorsport.
The IndyCar race-winner will partner Team Penske teammate Josef Newgarden, Tower Motorsport team owner John Farano and CGR development driver Kyffin Simpson in the Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) class.
It was a class the team experienced success in this year, the No. 8 Tower ORECA LMP2 07 winning it’s class in IMSA with two victories, including Petit Le Mans, two seconds and a third at the Rolex 24.
It’s an event he’s been aiming to do for awhile now, the Kiwi finally getting his chance with a front-running team.
“I’ve never driven a prototype before,” admits McLaughlin. “The whole reason I’m doing this is really I’ve never done this race before but I’m trying to expand my racing portfolio. Saying that, you have to expand it doing some marquee events. Daytona 24 Hour, Sebring and Petit, that’s three events in America that I really want to do.”
“For me, (the ride with Tower) is a great introduction into this racing where I can learn and understand the race a little bit. … If you can run an LMP2, it’s not too dissimilar to what the top class runs.
“I might not ever be a part of it and there’s nothing being promised to me about that – and I think the same thing is for Josef – but I think it’s just the fact of if I expand my CV by proving I’ve done this race before and then absolutely if Penske come up to me and the team said, ‘Would you like to drive that Porsche?’ For sure, I’d love to do it. But ultimately this year is just focusing on Tower.”
Having Newgarden alongside will definitely be a plus, the two-time IndyCar champion admitting it’s a drive he’s been trying to secure for some time. Once he got confirmation from Tower Motorsport, he immediately asked McLaughlin to join with the Kiwi quickly confirming.
“There’s a lot of variables that we’re not familiar with, both Scott and myself so we’re going to be getting up to speed to some degree,” Newgarden said. “But I believe in our approach and our abilities and I know Scott very well at this point, and I know exactly what he’s capable of.
“I feel him and I together can set the tone just fine and try and really align with John and Kyffin and make this a robust effort. Even though it’s brand new to us and we’re going to have to learn a lot, I think we can tackle the challenge head on and be there at the end of the race.”
“It’s hard to speak for the Penske Porsche Motorsport program,” the Tennessean said. “It’s very exciting to watch what they’re doing and obviously we’re big fans of it being within the team, seeing it grow and evolve and excited to see where it’s going to go.
“If there’s something that comes up down the road and they want to put us in the car, we’re going to be all about it, both Scott and I.”
Team owner Farano has left nothing to be desired with his Rolex 24 lineup as he hunts for back-to-back IMSA LMP2 titles, saying he’s “elated to partner with Josef and Scott, who are seasoned pros and will undoubtedly bring that added spark and determination to the team. I am equally excited to welcome the very talented Kyffin Simpson to our team and looking forward to sharing our car with him for all the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup races.”
Newgarden will get his first taste of the prototype at a two-day test at Daytona this week, whilst McLaughlin will have to wait until Roar Before the Rolex 24 testing on January 20-22 for his maiden drive.
Other Kiwis confirmed in the Rolex 24 include Scott Dixon for CGR, who will partner full-time drivers Sebastien Bourdais and Renger van der Zande.
Earl Bamber will also be out with CGR, running a third Cadillac entry with CGR, co-driving with Alex Lynn and Richard Westbrook sharing. That car will then move over to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship season.
We may see further additions to the Rolex 24 in future, for now it appears set for a Kiwi takeover with three drivers confirmed among contending teams.
Racing begins on Saturday January 28 and finishes the following day.
Header Photo: Phillip Abbott: Motorsport Images
