IMSA: Perez partners with TRG Aston Martin for Daytona

Force India Formula 1 driver Sergio Perez will partner with the TRG team to enter a group of Mexican racers in an Aston Martin in the Rolex 24 at Daytona next month.

Perez's older brother Antonio, a touring car racer in their native Mexico, will be joined in the GT Daytona class TRG-AMR Aston by sportscar racing compatriots Ricardo Perez de Lara and Santiago Creel, plus Briton Lars Viljoen.

"On behalf of everyone here at TRG, I am thrilled to be making this announcement regarding our partnership with Sergio Perez and the outstanding driver lineup that we have assembled," TRG CEO Kevin Buckler said. "This has been a long-term project as we have been working on putting together this type of Mexican driver program since our first Daytona 24, with Carlos Slim and Jimmy Morales in partnership with the team in 2005.

"We want to offer Hispanic drivers an opportunity to compete in sportscar racing at the highest level, and look forward to developing this programme further by creating opportunities for companies with U.S. and Mexican business interests via the exposure of motorsports."

Perez (LEFT) will be a partner in the project rather than driving the car.

"I'm proud to put this team of strong drivers in the hands of TRG-Aston Martin Racing for one of the biggest sportscar races of the year," he said. "Our sponsors will love this new exposure, and I know the Mexican fans will be cheering our guys through all 24 hours."

TRG driver Christina Nielsen was runner-up in the this year's IMSA GTD title battle. The team will continue to run a factory-assisted two-car Aston lineup for the full season in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Originally on Autosport.com