Nasr to test Daytona Prototype for Action Express
Nasr was the winner of the 2012 Sunoco Daytona Challenge after scoring the top average point score out of 100 racers who all signed up to the Challenge from the 3 eligible series; the Avon Tires British GT Championship, Britcar MSA British Endurance Championship and the Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series. Nasr's prize is a fully funded drive in the top GRAND-AM Daytona Prototype class at the 2012 Rolex 24 At Daytona on January 28-29, which will be celebrating its 50th anniversary. The prize is arguably the biggest in UK motorsport and currently valued at $250,000.
The No. 5 Action Express DP finished ninth overall in the 2011 Rolex 24 and was driven by Darren Law, David Donohue, Burt Frisselle and 2004 Indy 500 winner Buddy Rice. The same car also finished third overall in the 2011 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series standings with Darren Law and David Donohue behind the wheel and has now been fully race prepared by Action Express after the 2011 season finale.
Nasr will have the guidance of Daytona Prototype ace Ozz Negri, who will act as his personal mentor throughout his time in Daytona. Brazilian Negri also started off in British Formula 3, and then raced in Indy Lights before moving to sports car racing in 2003, racing in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series. Negri joined Michael Shank Racing and raced full time in the series in 2004, where he has remained ever since.
Nasr is raring to go and to get his first experience behind the wheel of a DP.
"I'm really looking forward to my first test at Daytona, it is going to be a great experience for me and I can't wait to get stuck in," he said. "After the great result in the F3 Macau Grand Prix I am able to really focus on doing the best I can."
The No. 5 Action Express Daytona Prototype runs a Riley chassis, a five-liter 500+ HP engine, 195+ mph top speed, Xtrac 5-speed sequential gearbox and weighs in at 2,225 lbs – quite a beast when compared to Felipe's usual race winning Formula 3 race car.
To keep up to date on Felipe's progress visit www.sunocodaytonachallenge.com. For more information on Negri and Nasr visit www.negrijr.com and www.felipenasr.com