TRG Returns to Pirelli World Challenge

James Davison

In a bid to continue their success in the Pirelli World Challenge series, TRG will open the season with their Aston Martin program in St. Petersburg, Fla. with an old name but a new twist. The team will be reunited with Aussie standout and former TRG professional driver James Davison behind the wheel of the LaSalle Solutions 007 V12 Vantage competing for the overall win in the GT Class. This will be the season opener for Pirelli World Challenge and for TRG; after finishing on a high note winning the 2016 Team and Drivers’ Sprint-X GTS Championship with their Aston Martin V8 Vantage team and their Team Driver Max Riddle.

Davison, the Australian pro driver who delivered a remarkable 5 pole positions in a row in 2014/2015 in the GT3 is once again reunited with the team and the fierce V12 Vantage GT3 he drove so well. St. Petersburg’s beautiful oceanfront track boasts 14 turns winding along the sunny streets of the Florida shoreline. A peaceful atmosphere of fans sipping champagne on yachts moored between swaying harborside palm trees is broken by the roar of powerful sports cars barreling down the streets at over 160mph. Davison’s ruthless racecraft and keen familiarity with this track earned him 2nd place in the 2016 PWC race. This year, he’ll race the 007 LaSalle Solutions Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 during this festival of motorsports shared with IndyCar and other fan-favorite race series.

"I am excited to be rejoining TRG and the Aston Martin brand after much success together the past 3 years. The Vantage GT3 promises to be strong on the St. Petersburg streets and we look to go one spot better than my 2nd place finish last year," said Davison. “It will be an exciting weekend for the team and all of its partners and sponsors. "

"LaSalle Solutions is once again excited to be a part of the special race event in St. Petersburg with TRG. This year we are bringing the Aston Martin 007 with real hope for a podium finish and an extra special event for our clients and partners," quoted Steven Robb, President of LaSalle Solutions.

Two evening events are planned for TRG’s guests. The team’s traditional penthouse dinner, featuring artwork just as stunning as the glittering harbor views, will feature chefs preparing delicious hors d'oeuvres served alongside Adobe Road Wine. Estate owners Carlos and Beverly Yepes are dear friends of the team and are founding supporters of the St. Petersburg Grand Prix. The second luxurious event will be held at the beautiful Aston Martin of Tampa Bay dealership; an evening of exotic machinery on display for car enthusiasts and a selection of Award winning Adobe Road wines for the wine aficionados alike to enjoy. The dealership will have the stunning new Aston Martin DB11 on display next to the team 007 GT3 Racecar. It will be an all Aston Martin night to remember.

The weekend will also be a showcase for several of the team partners headed by LaSalle Solutions and RingCentral throughout this exciting and luxurious venue.

“This is going to be a really exciting weekend for the opening round here at the streets of St. Petersburg. We have put together a formidable team and we are coming here to run up front and put on a terrific show for our friends, partners, and fans at this wonderful venue", stated TRG Team Owner, Kevin Buckler. “We have brought out the big guns with both, the powerful Aston Martin Vantage 007 V-12 GT3 and of course our former team driver and Australian star, James Davison. As usual we have an amazing weekend of wonderful entertainment options planned for all of our business executives and VIP guests. The Pirelli World Challenge series has just done an amazing job on all fronts. Greg Gill and the rest of the team have assembled a first-class organization around world class events and we are proud to be involved. Also a big congratulations to Pirelli for providing a fantastic product and stable tire platform. And a big thanks to our friends at LaSalle Solutions, RingCentral, Aston Martin, Dimmitt Automotive Group, Wells Fargo Private Bank, Carlos and Beverly Yepes, and others for bringing together a fantastic group of friends and clients to share in the experience and to build further relationships around motorsports. We are truly charting new territory both on and off the track and we came here to win. On both counts!"