Bar1 Motorsports Pre-Daytona Report

Saturday afternoon, kicking off their fifth season, BAR1 will mark the end of four months preparation and the beginning of the 54th Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 2016 WeatherTech SportsCar Championships. The green flag will fall on the once around the clock classic at 2:40PM. Over 50 cars will take the challenge to see who can best manage the chaos and win the race to the checkered flag at 2:40PM Sunday.

“It’s an amazing feat just to be here,” said Brian Alder, team owner at BAR1 Motorsports. “Getting ready for this race begins the week we arrive home after Petit Le Mans. There is no break. Everything… and I mean everything, is about getting ready for the Rolex 24.”

“Fans see the race and witness how grueling it is to be out there for 24 hours,” continued Alder. “But they have no idea of the monumental undertaking that goes into getting here. The challenge of just being here demands that you respect your fellow competitors. The all the late nights, all the rebuilding, the preparation…. even the logistics of mobilizing crew members, supplies and lining up a cohesive team of drivers. It’s really something… and it truly sets the stage for and incredible challenge. It’s amazing.”

This year BAR1 will field two Prototype Challenge cars in the 24. Driving duties will be shared among five drivers per car.

Driving the #26 Southwest Finance / Case-it ORECA-FLM09 will be Ryan Eversley, Ryan Lewis, Don Yount, Adam Merzon and John Falb.

In the #20 Southwest Realty Advisors / Zoolander 2 ORECA-FLM09 driving duties will be shared among Johnny Mowlem, Tomy Drissi, Marc Drumwright, Ricardo Vera and Brendan Gaughan.

“We’re extremely please with our driver lineup,” added Alder. “Both teams have a good balance of fast and reliable guys. We were fast here in 2015. I see no reason we won’t be able to build on that trend this year.”

Ryan Eversely:

”I’m really happy about driving in this year’s Daytona 24 hours! Adam Merzon and I have been talking about doing this race for a while now. It’d nice to be able to do it with Bar1 Motorsports. We've had two great tests in the Case-it #26 PC car. With Don Yount, John Falb and Ryan Lewis driving with us, I think we’ll have a chance at that Rolex watch!”

Ryan Lewis:

"It is a genuine privilege having another opportunity to race at the Daytona 24 Hour. I can't thank Don Yount enough for all his hard work and making it possible for me to join him and the rest of the guys. The field is really deep this year, so bringing it home on the podium will be that much more satisfying."

Don Yount:

“This is like the SuperBowl of racing. I’m so excited. We have prepared for about as much of the unknown as possible, so I’m looking forward to a complete and full team effort with BAR1. That top step is a BAR1 priority to start our 2016 season. 

Adam Merzon:

“It’s been a few years since I’ve raced in the Daytona 24 hour, so it's nice to come back with my coach and friend, Ryan Eversley, and with Bar1 Motorsports. Our last two tests have been really strong and I'm confident. I turned my quickest laps in the final session at the ROAR. The PC field is pretty stacked with talent this year, but I think our driver lineup is as strong as any out there.” 

John Falb:

“I’m just super pumped to be back in the BAR1 car. We have a great group of drivers and I know we will have a fun race. I'm ready to put some hours in behind the wheel for the Rolex 24 and get 2016 in gear! 

Johnny Mowlem:

“The 2016 season kicks off with the Rolex Daytona 24 and all of us at BAR1 Motorsports are hoping to go one place better in the race than last year. Everyone arrives at this race hoping to win that famous Rolex watch and we are no different. We’re hope Lady Luck is riding with us.”

Tomy Drissi:

I’m looking forward to this year’s ’24’. My sponsor, Paramount Pictures have put Zoolander No. 2 coming Feb 12th. on the car and it looks great. The last two years at Daytona have been very good for me (3rd. and 2nd.), but it would be really good to hit that podium on the top step and get ‘the watch!’ I really want that watch! I I’m told just finishing this race is good ……. but I really want that watch!"

Marc Drumwright:

“Excited to be back at Daytona with BAR1 Motorsports for the Rolex 24 and driving with Johnny Mowlem and Tomy Drissi. We had a great test at the ROAR. The car felt good and our times were consistently quick. I think we've assembled a strong, capable and experienced team. Hopefully we’ll continue with our podium-ways from Petit and kick off 2016 with a great result. Our goal; fast, stay clean & finish!”

Ricardo Vera:

“I’m super excited to be part of this iconic event, working with a great team and racing with such a strong driver lineup. I know we all share the same goal… win the 24 hours of Daytona!”

Brendan Gaughan:

“I can't remember the last time i was this excited to drive a race car.  When I was growing up my favorite race car was the old Can-Am cars. This has been the style of car I have been wanting to drive since those days.  It’s great to be working with BAR1 and I can't wait to get some seat time. I know i'm bit behind the curve since i missed the ROAR, but the team looked fast at the test so I'll try and grab Johnny's data and do my best to keep a solid pace.”