(all times Eastern)

 http://www.imsa.com/races/rolex-24-daytona

Thursday, January 23

9:30 am-10:30 am: Practice 1 (All Classes)

1:15 pm – 1:45 pm: Practice 2 (All Classes)

3:45 pm – 4:00 pm: Qualifying (GTD)

4:05 pm – 4:20 pm: Qualifying (GTLM)

4:30 pm – 4:45 pm: Qualifying (PC)

4:50 pm – 5:05 pm: Qualifying (P)

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm: Practice 3 (All Classes)

Friday, January 24

11:30 am -12:30 pm: Practice 4 (All Classes)

Saturday, January 25

11:30 am -12:15 pm: TUDOR Championship Driver Autograph Session

1:40 pm – 2:10 pm: Pre-Race Ceremonies / Formation Laps

2:10 pm: Race Start

Sunday, January 26

2:10 pm: Race Finish

LIVE TV SCHEDULE (all times Eastern):

Saturday, January 25

2-4 p.m. ET on FOX

4-9 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 2

Overnight (Jan. 25-26)

9 p.m. – 7 a.m. ET on IMSA.com (includes live images, in-car cameras and announcers)

Sunday, January 26

7 a.m. – 3 p.m. on FOX Sports 1

CONTEST:

Show us your race face!

Now through the Rolex 24 at Daytona, post photos of you, your family/ friends, and attach #Rolex24PME and #RaceFace to your photo for a chance to win some special, Corvette Racing gear! Share on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Let’s see your Corvette pride!

(Only one grand prize winner will receive Corvette Racing Gear, there will be additional prizes for runners up)

We will announce winners the week of Jan. 27th

 http://racer.com

EDITOR’S CHOICE TEAM OF THE YEAR: CORVETTE RACING

Digging deep, backs to the wall, remaining steadfast in the face of adversity – all phrases that could be applied to Corvette Racing in 2013. But predictably, it’s program manager Doug Fehan who best sums up his team’s season in which the aged C6.R signed off with the ALMS GT manufacturers’, teams’ and drivers’ titles.

“After Sebring, I don’t think we ever had the fastest car at any race,” he says, “and in some events, we were the slowest. So that made us work harder and figure out a way to win.

“You do that with perfect preparation, great race strategy and outstanding pit stop implementation. Those are what win races…

“In 2013, I think we redefined the word “team.’”

Contrastingly and ironically, therefore, picking Corvette Racing as RACER’s Team of the Year was easy.

Cadillac factory driver is on a mission to save lives

 http://www.autoweek.com/article/20140326/MOTORSPORTS/140329871

Here’s another addend in the complex driver-training equation: Many parents influence their kids to become both a greater danger when driving and more susceptible to the actions of other poor drivers.

This influence begins long before kids are licensed to drive. Consider:

— “More than 75 percent of new drivers exhibit the same distracted driving behavior as their parents.”

— “Most parents are unaware they are teaching their kids things that will make them more dangerous to others and more vulnerable to others.”

— “Most parents want to protect their children and will make changes once they understand the realities of behavior transfer.”

These are the words of Andy Pilgrim, the same championship-winning sports-car driver who helped road-test editor Jonathan Wong thrash Porsche’s 911 GT3 and Chevrolet’s Camaro Z/28. Andy began speaking to high-school students about driver safety 20 years ago, and he has delved deep into the statistics, causes and effects that have led many to conclude that U.S. driver education is inadequate.

Distracted driving, in particular, is an epidemic. I’m genuinely surprised if the driver in the lane next to mine isn’t texting or otherwise fiddling with a phone. Most of the time, they are — and often with passengers who pick up on this behavior.

Through his Andy Pilgrim Foundation, Andy produced two videos for educators’ use: “The Driving Zone” and “The Driving Zone 2.” These DVDs cover topics like mental preparation for driving, explanation of distracted-driving issues and street-survival tools that are absent from most curricula. More than 10,000 driver-education teachers in 43 states use “The Driving Zone 2.”

Andy takes his educator role another step forward with the introduction of “The Parent Driving Zone.” Distracted driving is bad for all of us, but, as he says, “If a new driver with less than five years of experience drives with the same distractions and subsequent behavior as their parents, with none of their parents’ skill or experience, they will, and do, crash at a massively higher rate. The fatality and life-changing injury stats for children under 21 years old tragically back this up.

“Since about 2009, we have had a massive increase in driver distractions linked directly to smartphones. This does not only mean texting while driving!”

Absorb this: Between 55 and 75 percent of new drivers name their parents as the biggest influencers on their behavior behind the wheel. That’s more impactful than their peers, teachers, police, laws and tragic stories.

About three years ago, Andy began asking parents if they considered how their distracted-driving habits passed to their children. “The answers I received went from shock to total disbelief,” he says.

“It was obvious 90 percent never thought about it.”

Hence a need for “The Parent Driving Zone.” It includes behavior-altering information for parents of children of all ages. No one says all parents drive distracted, but one look around you during tomorrow’s commute will prove this scourge’s reach. Most never think about the fact they are their children’s driving instructor or think their child is paying much attention to their driving. Well, they are. If you have a kid up to age 18, I implore you to check out theparentdrivingzone.com, where you can order a copy of the video. Its lessons might save your child’s life.

New Chevrolet Corvette C7.Rs to race for first time in TUDOR Championship opener

DETROIT (Jan. 21, 2014) – Fifteen years ago, Corvette Racing stepped onto the world’s sports car stage for the first time. Thirteen years ago, it scored a stunning overall victory in the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Now with 90 victories around the world – seven at the 24 Hours of Le Mans – and 10 American Le Mans Series titles, America’s premier production-based sports car team is back at Daytona with a brand new car to contend for a brand new championship.

The 52nd running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona will see the competitive debut of the new Chevrolet Corvette C7.R in the new TUDOR United SportsCar Championship. After several months in black-and-white camouflage, Daytona is the first time the two Corvettes will run in the familiar Corvette Racing velocity yellow. Both cars tested at Daytona as part of the Roar Before the 24 earlier in the month. Oliver Gavin in the No. 4 car was the second-fastest driver in the GT Le Mans class, followed closely by Jan Magnussen in the No. 3 Corvette.

Magnussen and Antonio Garcia won the American Le Mans Series’ GT driver’s championship in 2013 with three victories. Gavin and Tommy Milner placed third in the final year of the ALMS before it merged with the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series to create the TUDOR Championship. At Daytona, Ryan Briscoe will join Garcia and Magnussen while Robin Liddell partners with Gavin and Milner.

“Corvette sets the standard for Chevrolet regarding technical transfer between racing and production,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet Vice President, Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “The learnings from the race track have helped us design and engineer the new Corvette Z06 for the street and the new C7.R for the track. We are excited to debut the Corvette C7.R at the Rolex 24 At Daytona and race it all season long in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship’s GTLM class.

“In the 2001 24 Hours at Daytona, the #2 Corvette C5-R won its class and the overall race with drivers Ron Fellows, Johnny O’Connell, Chris Kneifel and Franck Freon,” Campbell added. “That history makes returning to the 2014 24 Hours at Daytona with the new Corvette C7.R in the GTLM class extra special. In addition, it will be great to have Corvette DP teams competing for the third consecutive year at Daytona in the Prototype class. We can’t wait to see the Corvette owners and supporters at the track.”

In 1999, Corvette Racing made its debut at Daytona with a pair of Corvette C5-Rs. The team placed second overall a year later and won the event in 2001. Times – and technology – have changed since then. The C7.R shares an unprecedented level of attributes with the Z06 – most notably chassis structure, direct injection on the engine front and aerodynamics.

Both the C7.R and Z06 share the same production-based aluminum frame, both of which are built at Corvette’s assembly plant in Bowling Green, Ky. The chassis is 40 percent stronger than on the outgoing Corvette C6.R, which results in better handling and stability at high speeds.

Direct injection also returns to a racing Corvette for the first time since the GT1 era that ended in 2009. There are two main gains to be expected. One is better throttle control and response from the engine under power. The other is a gain in fuel efficiency – up to a 3 percent improvement on the C6.R. Those savings have the potential to add up in a race as long as the Rolex 24.

From an aerodynamic standpoint, the package on the C7.R is the most aggressive in the Corvette Racing era. Some of the features carried over from the C6.R to the 2014 Corvette Stingray production car including forward-tilted radiator, functional hood and front-quarter panel vents, and rear transmission and differential cooling intakes. From there, engineers improved the aero details on the C7.R and Z06 with similar front splitters, rocker panels, and front- and rear-brake cooling ducts.

All those factors and other improvements from the C6.R give Corvette Racing an excellent chance to get the C7.R era started on the right foot… err, wheel.

“This is a great start for a new era of Corvette Racing,” said Mark Kent, Director of Racing for Chevrolet. “The Corvette C7.R represents new levels of technology in a number of areas that improve on the championship-winning legacy of the C6.R. It has been fascinating watching the development of the car over the last few months and we all are excited to finally see it in competition.”

Television coverage of the Rolex 24 At Daytona will be available on the FOX family of channels, starting with the FOX network’s two-hour broadcast at 2 p.m. The race also will air on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2, along with overnight streaming video at imsa.com.

The TUDOR Championship is the result of a merger between the ALMS and GRAND-AM’s Rolex Sports Car Series. Corvette Racing will compete in 11 races around North America plus the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

• Fans at Daytona can check out a number of new Chevy vehicles throughout the weekend at the Chevrolet Display located in the infield at Daytona International Speedway. Production vehicles on-hand include the Cruze, Malibu, Camaro, Traverse, Silverado Crew and Corvette Stingray convertible.

Spectators also can see a Corvette C7.R showcar and the 2015 Corvette Z06. The display opens at 9 a.m. Friday, and 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

EDITORS: High-resolution images of Corvette Racing are available on the Team Chevy media site for editorial use only.

Rolex 24 At Daytona (all times ET)

• Practice 1: 9:30 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 23

• Corvette C7.R Technical Briefing: 12:15 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 23 (Track Meeting Room)

• Practice 2: 1:15 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 23

• GTLM Qualifying: 4:05 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 23

• Practice 3: 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 23

• Practice 4: 11:30 a.m., Friday, Jan. 24

• Race: 2:10 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 25

Rolex 24: Watch It!

Saturday, Jan. 25

• 2-4 p.m. ET (FOX)

• 4-9 p.m. ET (FOX Sports 2)

Overnight, Jan. 25-26

• 9 p.m.-7 a.m. ET (IMSA.com)

Sunday, Jan. 26

• 7 a.m.-3 p.m. (FOX Sports 1)

ANTONIO GARCIA, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE C7.R

“The Daytona test is always very important because the race week is very short. Everything needs to be very sorted from the test days. We got to know a little bit more about it and know what we might need for the race. The important thing is that we came out of the test knowing what we need and what we can expect for the test. We have a clear idea of what we need to compete during the race. So far things look very good and I think we are headed in the right direction for the race. With the schedule and amount of time on the track, the car you unload for the race is pretty much what you will end up racing. There is no time to change a lot at that point.”

On traffic: “Out of the test, we know the car handled very well to allow us to go around other cars. Now the question mark is how fast the GT Daytona cars will be on the straights. With the amount of GTD cars there are – and knowing they were faster than us on the straights – it will be extremely challenging because not only of the differences in the cars but also because the differences in drivers in those cars. That puts you in a situation where you really need to dive into the braking zone and brake later compared to when you normally would. That is my biggest concern.”

JAN MAGNUSSEN, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE C7.R

“We had a really productive test. We went through a lot of stuff in the new car and a lot of stuff we needed to try out and get direction on. All three drivers in the car felt very comfortable. We need to get to race week – through qualifying really – to know exactly where we stack up against everyone. But the feeling is that we have a fast car and one that we can use to fight with the rest of the field. We won’t know for sure until everyone lets go.”

Importance of handling: “For sure in the race when we are coming up on slower traffic or being passed by prototypes, having a comfortable car that you can pick and choose your lines without getting yourself into trouble is very important for such a long race. It felt like at the test that there was room to maneuver our car. There is only one fast line but you can get outside of that a little bit without being in big trouble. Let’s face it… in the race we will be driving off-line all the time!”

RYAN BRISCOE, NO. 3 CHEVROLET CORVETTE C7.R

“I was really happy with how the test went and my comfort level in the car. We all seemed to click right away, and that’s what you want. You have to work together and have happy compromises. But to be honest, it didn’t feel like there was a lot of compromise because things went so well.”

Where to make gains: “It’s hard to know how well we stack up against the rest in terms of infield performance. But you need to have a car that’s good in there with all the different classes. We’re actually the slowest ones on the straights just because of how the rules are set. So all the passing has to be done through the infield and through the brake zones. You have to be confident to make those moves and do them safely. Throughout the test I felt like we have a car that gave us a lot of confidence to do just that. One of the main things will be keeping an eye on the temperatures and how long we can take the tires – whether we double-stint them or not. But we have different compounds of tires from Michelin and have those to play with as the temperatures change. That will be one of the most important things to watch for performance.”

OLIVER GAVIN, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE C7.R

“I’m quietly confident that we have ourselves in a pretty good spot. We have to temper that with the fact that this is the Daytona 24 Hours. Experience tells you that when you enter a race with a brand new car, it’s a bit of a voyage of discovery. Regardless of how much testing you’ve done, things are going to come up or there will be conditions that you can only simulate in the race. The team is quietly confident but this track can be very mechanically hard on the car. “

On the track: “Daytona is a lot of braking and accelerating and going up and down the gearbox. When you look at the circuit layout, it really is a lot of high-speed, flat-out work with some heavy braking and slow corners mixed in. Tire temperature will be at a premium, especially if it’s cooler like on the test days. The long straights won’t help that at all. It’s going to be a big, big challenge. But that’s one of the great things about motor racing and the Daytona 24 Hours. It’s a mighty challenge, and the guys at Corvette Racing are ready to face it head-on.”

TOMMY MILNER, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE C7.R

“Going into the Daytona test, I was optimistic that the car would be competitive, reliable and not have many issues. I was a little surprised at the relative pace compared to our competitors. Time will tell there but it’s in the race where it matters. The new Corvette was quick, consistent and good drive. We made little tweaks between the test at Sebring and Daytona with driver comfort issues and some setup directions. While we don’t have any data of running the C6.R, the step up to the C7.R is pretty significant in my eyes. It’s a more refined car and one that’s easier to drive right at the edge. Everyone came away from the Roar pretty happy and excited for the race.”

Daytona factors: “Daytona certainly is a special race. You prepare for it differently than a shorter race because it’s one of the biggest events in the U.S. I’ve done the Rolex 24 the last two years but this time it’s totally different. It’s a new car in a new series with plenty of other differences. The traffic will be a major part of the race for a lot of people. It won’t be all outright speed but how you’re able to navigate traffic compared to your competitors. The drivability factor of car plays into our hands and makes us feel a lot more comfortable. Because it’s a 24-hour race, you’re not going to make any wild moves. But if you have confidence in your car, you can put it in places where you normally wouldn’t if you didn’t have that confidence.”

ROBIN LIDDELL, NO. 4 CHEVROLET CORVETTE C7.R

“I came away from Daytona a lot more comfortable and confident. I felt like I knew the car better and could play with it on the edge, which I hadn’t been able to do at Sebring (in December) because of the comfort factor. We won’t really know where we are pace-wise until we get in the race. But I think everyone is quietly confident that the car has good pace and that it was reasonably comfortable to drive in the sense of it not being too much on the ragged edge. I think the car should be a good one for 24 hours in terms of it being reasonably benign and good on the infield but also good at the Bus Stop and not on a knife-edge everywhere.”

Key to success: “What you need for a 24-hour race is a drivable car. If you have one that’s comfortable, it means you can drive off line to go around people and maintain traction off the corner, brake on a dirty line and move offline to change direction. The more on the edge a car is, the greater the likelihood a driver can and will make a mistake. You need a car that minimizes that possibility but is still reasonably quick. I think we’re in a good spot in that regard.”

DOUG FEHAN, CORVETTE RACING PROGRAM MANAGER

“It’s great to be heading back to Daytona. Our overall victory in the 2001 race was certainly one of our greatest achievements, and returning brings back some inspiring memories. But I can assure you that the focus of everyone at Corvette Racing is on the here and now. On its own, the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona is a tremendous challenge… add to that the introduction of the brand new C7.R Corvette race car and you have the makings for yet another storybook finish at America’s most iconic raceway. After an offseason of comprehensive testing, I can assure you the Corvette engineers, crew and drivers are all ready to rock the Rolex!”

Corvette Racing History at Daytona

Year – Class – Drivers – Result – Car – Notes

1999

GT2

Fellows/Kneifel/Paul Jr. – 3rd – Corvette C5-R

Pilgrim/Collins/Sharp – 12th – Corvette C5-R

2000

GTS

Fellows/Kneifel/Bell – 2nd – Corvette C5-R

Pilgrim/Collins/Freon – 10th – Corvette C5-R

2001

GTS

Fellows/O’Connell/Kneifel/Freon – 1st – Corvette C5-R – Overall win

Collins/Pilgrim/Earnhardt/Earnhardt Jr. – 2nd – Corvette C5-R

No. 5 Action Express Corvette DP leads Chevrolet contingent in testing for Rolex 24

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 5, 2014) – The final on-track preparations for Chevrolet’s Corvette Daytona Prototype teams are complete ahead of the opening round of the inaugural TUDOR United SportsCar Championship. Christian Fittipaldi in Action Express Racing’s No. 5 Corvette DP set the fastest time for the three-day Roar Before the 24 at Daytona International Speedway – the annual test that serves a dress rehearsal for the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Fittipaldi’s best time of 1:38.630 (129.940 mph) came in the Roar’s opening session Friday morning. The Brazilian led a contingent of Corvette DPs that held five of the six fastest speeds during the three days.

“We applied everything that we learned in the sessions we had prior to today – once in November and twice in the beginning of December,” said Fittipaldi, who drove with full-season teammate Joao Barbosa and Sebastien Bourdais. “The car felt pretty good. I think that the track conditions were a little bit strange (with the changing weather). We need to make the best of it because when it comes down to race time, maybe we are going to have exactly the same stuff out there. I have raced here before where we have had even colder weather. So we pretty much need to be prepared for all kinds of stuff out there.”

Richard Westbrook was second-quickest on the weekend in the No. 90 Spirit of Daytona Corvette DP with a 1:38.989 (129.549 mph) lap. He drives with full-season teammate Michael Valiante and Mike Rockenfeller.

“It has been a very productive three days at Daytona for the Corvette Daytona Prototype teams in preparation for the Rolex 24 Hour race, said Jim Lutz, Chevrolet TUDOR Championship Daytona Prototype Program Manager. “All of the teams had the opportunity to work with the latest technical regulations IMSA has put in place thus far for the class. Every driver for each of the teams was able to get ample seat time throughout the three-day test.

“Additionally, the varying weather conditions have allowed the teams to work on setup for the numerous scenarios that can occur during the race. We know we will have to adjust to the final set of regulations prior to the race, but our Chevrolet teams made great progress during the weekend, and we feel like we have the reliability and preparation necessary for the race.”

Chevrolet enters this year’s Rolex 24 off two consecutive DP engine manufacturer titles in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series. The championship merged with the American Le Mans Series to create the TUDOR Championship, which features DPs as part of the top-level prototype class.

As the season continues following the Rolex 24 Hours the Corvette DP teams – Action Express, Spirit of Daytona, 2013 DP team champion Wayne Taylor Racing, GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing and Marsh Racing – will lead Chevrolet’s fight for additional victories and championships. Chevrolet ended Rolex Series competition with 20 Daytona Prototype victories – 16 by Corvette DPs since it debuted in 2011 – and nine in GT. The Bowtie brand also captured DP engine manufacturer championships in both 2012 and 2013, plus the 2011 GT title.

EDITORS: High-resolution images of Corvette Racing are available on the Team Chevy media site for editorial use only.

RICHARD WESTBROOK, NO. 90 SPIRIT OF DAYTONA CORVETTE DP

HOW DO YOU FEEL THE THREE DAYS OF TESTING HAVE GONE? “We have turned up with a really good car, and the team is working just great. I just have to really thank all the boys on the team. The new staff as well. Everything seems to be clicking into place. We’ve just kept our head down, fine-tuned and the results seem to be coming toward us. We have a really nice, comfortable car to drive that seems to be quick. Just really nice working with the two Michaels – Mike (Rockenfeller) and Michael (Valiante). There is a great atmosphere in the team. Looking forward to the 24 (Hours).”

IS IT GOOD FOR THE TEAM WHEN YOU TEST IN SUCH VARYING TEMPERATURES AND WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR THE RACE? “What was very encouraging is normally in our car, we’re not very good in the heat. The hotter it gets, the worse we get. The car felt really good when it got hot. That is really encouraging.”

JORDAN TAYLOR, NO. 10 WAYNE TAYLOR RACING CORVETTE DP

TALK ABOUT THE PROGRESS MADE WITH THE CAR HERE DURING THE THREE-DAY ROAR: “This is our first test really with all the updates. We did a test in December with half of the updates for the car, so now these three days we’ve really spent a lot of time getting to know what the car is going to be like this year. For the drivers, there is a little bit to get used to – mainly with braking. But for the engineers and the crew, they had a lot more to do just to understand the car; how it works and how to prepare for a 24-hour race. I think we did learn a lot. All the drivers are now comfortable in the cars. I think the crew has a much better understanding of what it is going to do for 24 hours and I think it makes us a lot more excited now that we know what to expect going into the 24 Hour.”

MENTALLY WHAT DO YOU DO BETWEEN NOW AND WHEN YOU JUMP IN THE CAR FOR THE FIRST PRACTICE OF THE RACE WEEKEND? “We have data to go over. I think the biggest thing is mentally preparing for the long race. Obviously physical training. We have a lot of data to go over for drivers to get to know: maybe I am losing a little bit here; maybe I’m a little bit better there. On-board cameras to study. I always like to watch the previous year’s race so every time I am around the TV, I’ll turn it on to watch it and learn interesting passing places that you wouldn’t really think of – where people are usually going off; where they are making passes in traffic. You can learn a lot from historical races.”

RICKY TAYLOR, NO. 10 WAYNE TAYLOR RACING CORVETTE DP

TALK ABOUT THE CHANGING WEATHER DURING THE TEST AND HOW THAT HELPS PREPARING THE CAR FOR POSSIBILITIES DURING THE RACE: “It has helped the drivers I think. The team focuses on mostly the weather conditions that are going to be related to the race conditions. But the drivers through the 24 Hour go from daytime when it is normally warm, to nighttime and it is freezing cold, then to daytime when it warms up again. No matter what the car is setup to do, we have to be able to deal with all the conditions. We got a bit of everything this weekend, so if we have a car setup for the cold, we know what that is going to be like in the cold and then to the hot. And vice versa; if we have a car setup for the hot, we know what it is going to be like in the cold. So we know how to drive a good car and a bad car.”

THERE ARE FOUR DRIVERS, ALL WITH DIFFERENT STYLES, PREFERENCES ETC. HOW HARD IS IT AND WHAT COMPROMISES DO YOU HAVE TO MAKE AS A DRIVER TO GET A CAR THAT WORKS FOR EVERYBODY? “There has been a little bit of compromise here and there – a little bit of differences in what we all want. But I don’t think there has been much sacrifice. I think we still are improving the car more and more. We haven’t taken any steps backward to suit a driver particularly. We are moving down a good road, and making the car a better race car.”

Start of TUDOR Championship sees strong contingent of Corvette Daytona Prototypes prep for Rolex 24

DETROIT (Dec. 31, 2013) – Chevrolet is ready for a landmark season of sports car racing in North America with a strong complement of Corvette Daytona Prototypes that will compete in the inaugural year of the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship. Six Corvette DPs are set to compete this season at some of the continent’s top road courses starting with the 52nd Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 25-26.

Prior to that however, Corvette DP teams will take part in the annual Roar Before the 24 three-day test at Daytona International Speedway from Jan. 3-5.

The sports car landscape has changed significantly since Wayne Taylor Racing’s Jordan Taylor and Max Angelelli won in September at Lime Rock Park to clinch the Rolex Series’ DP driver’s championship. The Rolex Series and American Le Mans Series officially merged with DPs in the new top-level prototype class. In order to balance the cars in the prototype category, the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) has made a number of technical adjustments to Daytona Prototype cars including new aerodynamics and brake systems, and additional horsepower from 2013.

“This is one of the most highly anticipated and exciting starts to a season of sports car racing in many years,” said Mark Kent, Director of Chevrolet Racing. “We are looking forward to another year of close racing in the prototype class as our strong lineup of teams compete to defend Chevrolet’s Manufacturers Championship.”

Six Daytona Prototype entries from five teams will take to Daytona International Speedway for this week’s three-day test: Wayne Taylor Racing, Action Express Racing (with two Corvette DPs), GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing and newcomer Marsh Racing – stepping up from running a GT Corvette to the Corvette DP.

Those efforts will lead Chevrolet’s fight for additional victories and championships in the top level of North American sports car racing. Chevrolet ended Rolex Series competition with 20 Daytona Prototype victories – 16 by Corvette DPs since it debuted in 2011 – and nine in GT. The Bowtie brand also captured DP engine manufacturer championships in both 2012 and 2013, plus the 2011 GT title.

“There are been a huge amount of work and cooperation between our teams, IMSA and our technical partners in advance of this season,” said Jim Lutz, Chevrolet TUDOR Championship Daytona Prototype Program Manager. “Headed into the Roar Before the 24, we feel like our DP teams are good positions to make their final preparations for the start of the season. As always, Daytona International Speedway presents a significant challenge given the track’s banking and high speeds. Given the new technical regulations and adjustments for 2014, reliability will take on added importance. That will be a key focal point for this year’s Roar.”

2014 Corvette DP Lineup – Roar Before the 24 – TUDOR United SportsCar Championship

Car No. / Team / Drivers / Owner

5

Action Express Racing

Joao Barbosa/Christian Fittipaldi/Sebastien Bourdais

Bob Johnson

9

Action Express Racing

TBA

Bob Johnson

10

Wayne Taylor Racing

Jordan Taylor/Ricky Taylor/Max Angelelli/Wayne Taylor

Wayne Taylor

31

Marsh Racing

Boris Said/Eric Curran/Max Papis/Bradley Smith

Ted Marsh

90

Spirit of Daytona

Richard Westbrook/Michael Valiante/Mike Rockenfeller

Troy Flis

99

GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing

Jon Fogarty/Alex Gurney/Memo Gidley/Darren Law

Bob Stallings

Roar Before the 24 (all times ET)

Friday, Jan. 3

• • Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, Practice 1: 9-10 a.m.
• • TUDOR Championship, Practice 1: 10:15 a.m.-noon
• • Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, Practice 2: 1:30-2:30 p.m.
• • TUDOR Championship, Practice 2: 2:45-5:15 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 4

• • TUDOR Championship, Practice 3: 9-10:45 a.m.
• • Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, Practice 3: 11 a.m.-noon
• • TUDOR Championship, Practice 4: 1-2:30 p.m.
• • Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, Practice 4: 2:45-3:45 p.m.
• • TUDOR Championship, Practice 5: 4-5 p.m.
• • TUDOR Championship, Practice 6: 6:30-8 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 5

• • Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, Practice 5: 9-10 a.m.
• • TUDOR Championship, Practice 7: 10:15 a.m.-noon
• • Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, Practice 6: 1:30-2:15 p.m.
• • TUDOR Championship, Practice 8: 2:30-3:30 p.m.

 http://automatemichigan.org/

NEW HUDSON, Mich., Nov. 25, 2013 — Pratt Miller Engineering is proud to announce their support of the Michigan Automated Systems Collaborative (MASC). The MASC officially launched its website that will serve as meeting place for industry, academia and professional associations, and government to share information relating to collaborative technologies. The vision of the MASC is to make Michigan the national leader in design, development, and manufacturing of automated systems and related robotic technologies.

Pratt Miller Engineering was approached earlier this year by the Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development in hopes of the Pratt Miller team joining forces in the planning and generating of ideas on what a collaborative could look like in the State of Michigan. The team at Pratt Miller was quick to jump at the opportunity along with several other Michigan based technology companies including Soar Technology, Inc and Quantum Signal, LLC.

Pratt Miller’s Director of Government Markets, Sara Blackmer, sits on the MASC committee and recently spoke on the importance of the collaborative, “We’re excited about a robotics cluster finally gaining traction in the State of Michigan. The density of robotics enabling capability found here is impressive and we are looking forward to automating present and future technologies together.”

It is clear that robotics and autonomy are technologies that will continue to see rapid growth in the defense, automotive, agriculture, and commercial industries. Participation in the MASC aligns well with Pratt Miller’s growth objectives which include expanding on the company’s competencies in mobility, lightweight structures, control systems, and vehicle integration to develop innovations in ground robotics and autonomous mobility platforms.

About MASC

Michigan Automated Systems Collaborative (MASC) is a strategic partnership consisting of industry, academia, research and professional associations, and government. Our mission is to promote, attract, and grow the robotic and automated system industries in the State of Michigan.

About Pratt Miller

Pratt Miller Engineering is an advanced vehicle engineering services firm founded in the highly technical and fast paced world of motorsports. With its design, modeling and simulation, electrical, low volume and prototype manufacturing, and testing and development capabilities among the most sophisticated in the world, Pratt Miller is revolutionizing the way vehicles perform and products behave. Servicing the defense, automotive, powersports, and commercial markets, its client base consistently relies on Pratt Miller to deliver superior and innovative solutions in highly accelerated time frames.

For more information on the Michigan Automated Systems Collaborative, please visit:

 http://www.topworkplaces.com/frontend.php/regional-list/list/freep

New Hudson, MI 11/20/2013 – For the second consecutive year, Pratt Miller Engineering has been named in the Detroit Free Press’ Top 100 Places to Work in the mid-sized business category. The surveys, provided by Workplace Dynamics, are completed by each employee and the feedback is completely anonymous. Employees are asked a series of questions focusing on their overall level of happiness relating to their work environment, including their ability to be heard by management, schedule flexibility, and the company’s support on community involvement and volunteering.

“It is such an honor to be on this list again,” said Dena Callahan, Pratt Miller’s human resources manager. “The survey’s completed by our team provided us with honest, thoughtful insights on what we are doing right and areas that we can improve on. This information is vital to attracting future talent but most importantly it helps us retain the incredible team we currently have place.”

Pratt Miller takes great pride in this recognition because of its ongoing commitment to employee satisfaction. The company’s unique work environment includes providing employees with challenging and exciting projects using state-of-the-art technology and opportunities for advancement.

About Pratt Miller Engineering

Pratt Miller Engineering is an advanced vehicle engineering services firm founded in the highly technical and fast paced world of motorsports. With its design, modeling and simulation, electrical, low volume and prototype manufacturing, and testing and development capabilities among the most sophisticated in the world, Pratt Miller is revolutionizing the way vehicles perform and products behave. Servicing the defense, automotive, powersports, and commercial markets, its client base consistently relies on Pratt Miller to deliver superior and innovative solutions in highly accelerated timeframes.

New Hudson, MI – October 28, 2013 – Pratt Miller was recently named Technology Company of the Year by Automation Alley, Michigan’s largest technology business association. The 13th Annual Awards Gala was held last month at The Henry in Dearborn Michigan. Four different award categories were announced that evening, however, this particular award recognizes Pratt Miller as having introduced new products or systems that have made significant impact on Southeast Michigan’s economy. The products and systems submitted by Pratt Miller for the award selection focused on the company’s recent success in global motorsports and product innovations in the automotive, defense, space, powersports, and medical industries.

Pratt Miller’s vice president of engineering services, Lynn Bishop, graciously accepted the award.

“It was a true honor to be selected as the Automation Alley Technology Company of the Year alongside the other candidates and nominees. We would like to thank Automation Alley for all their help and support over the years by assisting us in developing a plan to diversify our business. We also have to thank our loyal customers for giving us the opportunity to work with them in creating these innovative technologies. But, this award is really a tribute to our 200+ team members at Pratt Miller Engineering who come to work every day with such enthusiasm, pride, and passion to deliver technical excellence to our customers.”

The product innovation examples developed over the past year included racing vehicles that have won multiple racing championships around the globe; a motorsports collision avoidance system; a prototype medium assault vehicle for Special Operations Command; advanced survivability and mobility concept vehicles for defense; autonomous vehicle and robotic space technologies; advanced lightweight automotive and space systems; and portable medical devices – innovations that are winning races, helping to save lives on our roads – in our hospitals – and on the battlefield, and helping to discover new frontiers in space.

About Pratt Miller Engineering

Pratt Miller Engineering is a world-class engineering company and a respected industry leader in motorsports, defense, automotive, powersports, aerospace, and commercial industries. Our range of design, engineering, low-volume manufacturing, and testing and development capabilities are among the most sophisticated in the world.

Magnussen voted ALMS’ Most Popular Driver, Chevrolet wins Green Challenge award

BRASELTON, Ga. (Oct. 22, 2013) – Chevrolet and Corvette Racing had ample reason to celebrate at the American Le Mans Series’ annual Night of Champions awards banquet. The two organizations took home seven awards on the evening at Chateau Elan, the night after the ALMS’ finale – Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta.

Chevrolet received the GT manufacturers’ championship, and Corvette Racing won the GT team trophy – the second consecutive season for both. Antonio Garcia and Jan Magnussen, drivers of the No. 3 Compuware Chevrolet Corvette C6.R, were the recipients of the GT drivers’ championship – the second for Magnussen and first for Garcia. Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner, last year’s GT champions, walked away with third-place championship trophies in the driving category.

It was a doubly special night for Magnussen. The Dane won the ALMS’ Most Popular Driver award for the second time in his career. American Le Mans Series fans voted on the honor through alms.com, the series’ website.

Chevrolet also won the Green Challenge GT championship, which goes to the manufacturer that races the fastest while being the most efficient with its petroleum use combined with cleanest emissions. The No. 3 Chevrolet Corvette C6.R won the MICHELIN GREEN X Challenge – an award that goes to leading GT and prototype teams using the same criteria as the manufacturer trophy.

Corvette Racing will open the 2014 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship with the Corvette C7.R race car at the Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 25-26.

EDITORS: High-resolution images of Corvette Racing are available on the Team Chevy media site for editorial use only. Attached photo is courtesy of Richard Prince.

ALMS GT Championship Standings

Driver Standings

1. 1. Antonio Garcia/Jan Magnussen – 135
2. 2. Dirk Muller – 129
3. 3. Oliver Gavin/Tommy Milner – 105
4. 4. Bill Auberlen – 102
5. 5. Dominik Farnbacher/Marc Goossens – 101

Team Standings

1. 1. Corvette Racing – 171
2. 2. BMW Team RLL – 140
3. 3. SRT Motorsports – 121
4. 4. Risi Competizione – 73
5. 5. CORE autosport – 55

Manufacturer Standings

1. 1. Chevrolet – 174
2. 2. BMW – 154
3. 3. SRT – 137
4. 4. Ferrari – 126
5. 5. Porsche – 119