IMSA: Schmitz replaces de Phillippi for Rolex 24

Germany's Sabine Schmitz will join the quintet that will drive the new Porsche 911 GT3 R for Frikadelli Racing in the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

"We're amazed that we finally could make it happen," said Schmitz, who will take over for American Connor de Phillippi. "I only hope that Connor will not be too disappointed. He knows his way around Daytona and would surely have done a great job for us," added Schmitz.

"Sabine is a fixture with Frikadelli Racing," said team owner/driver Klaus Abbelen. He will share the car with Patrick Huisman, Frank Stippler and Porsche junior works driver Sven Muller. "We are absolutely excited that she has found a way to experience with us the famous race on the legendary Daytona International Speedway."

The team tested the 911 GT3 R last weekend at the Roar Before the 24 with promising results: "We were the best of the five new Porsche 911, we ended each session between P3 and P6 and set a few fastest times in mid-session which is more than we had expected," Abbelen said. "The Porsche was giving us no problems at all. We are now in a very positive mood for the race. If we manage to make little or no mistakes at all and finish the race, we might even achieve a top-5 ranking in our highly competitive category."