RSR Racing has named returning drivers Bruno Junqueira and Duncan Ende plus Chris Cumming and 2011 Indy 500 Pole Sitter Alex Tagliani. as their full season foursome for a pair of LMPC entries for the full 2014 United Sportscar Championship.
Junqueira and Ende will pilot the #08 Lino’spresso backed Oreca and will hope to improve on their 2013 run which saw class victories at Road America and Lime Rock Park.
Gustavo Menezes and David Heinemeier Hansson rejoin Junqueira and Ende for the endurance events this year beginning with the Rolex 24 At Daytona. In 2013 Menezes ran the Petit Le Mans with RSR and Heinemeier Hansson joined the team for the Circuit of the Americas event.
Cumming teams-up with winning open-wheeler Tagliani to pilot the #09 Automax.com Oreca FLM09. The duo has their sights set on battling for wins and the PC class title.
Joining the Cumming/Tagliani duo for the longer events in 2014 will be Rusty Mitchell and Conor Daly. Mitchell will contribute his P2 class experience as the foursome fights for the prestigious win on the Florida coast. Daly will compete for the first time in a Prototype Challenge race car and joins Tagliani as first time competitors in the famed 24-hour event at Daytona.
Paul Gentilozzi:
“As a Sports Car Driver or Team Owner the race to win is the 24 hours of Daytona, winning marks your career forever. It is the ultimate test of preparation, strategy and discipline. I have made 20+ attempts and tasted victory twice, it is a lasting taste that never goes away, our objective is simply to win again.
Bruno Junqueira:
“I am very happy to return with RSR again. After two wins last season driving with Duncan, I think we can do better this year. It is very nice that the team is going to have two cars, and we can learn with each other and find better setups.”
Duncan Ende:
“I am really excited to be back with RSR and teamed up with Bruno for 2014. Even though we had our part time deal come together quite late last year we managed to compete at the front every weekend and bring home a couple of wins, so I know we will carry that into the new year.
“Expanding our team to a two-car program with the addition of Chris and Alex will be a big boost to our program.”
Gustavo Menezes:
“I am very happy to be joining RSR to compete in my First 24 Hour race, especially being the famous and classic 24 at Daytona! I competed with RSR at Petit Le Mans in late 2013 and loved working with the team and Great friend Bruno Junqueira. It will be nice to head into this race already being comfortable with the team environment and having been in the car.
“The LMPC car is a different challenge for me coming from the FIA F3 Europe car but with the hard working team of engineers they have gotten me comfortable and ready for the distance. RSR has worked hard during the off season to ensure their cars are at peak performance for this event and I am looking forward at charging for a top spot in the event this month.”
David Heinemeier Hansson:
“I’m really looking forward to driving with RSR for the long races in 2014. I’ve never done Daytona before, so that’s going to be a fun challenge. I think we have a really strong line-up, a team with tons of experience, and a class that’s bound to be exciting. Let’s get started!”
Chris Cumming:
“I’m very excited about the program we have at RSR for 2014. We’ve spent a lot of time in the off-season putting together a strong team to compete for wins and a championship this year. RSR is going to make things tough for everyone else. After coming within one point of the title in 2013 I’m as motivated as ever and can’t wait for the season to begin.”
Alex Tagliani:
“I am excited to work with so many familiar faces like Jeff Lohman, Paul, Bruno, Conor, and John and to participate at the Daytona 24 hour race with a competitive team and line-up.
“I’ve already been on contact with Bruno via email. We are good friends and I look forward to working with him again and hopefully we can have a good result for the team.”
Rusty Mitchell:
“I believe as a team we have a great opportunity to not only finish on the podium but also compete for the win at the Rolex 24. With the support of RSR a race winning and championship capable proven team to go along with our driver lineup of Alex, Chris, Conor and myself for the 24 we have all the right ingredients to win. To be able to compete in one of the world’s most prestigious endurance races with this caliber of team and drivers is a dream come true for me and I can’t wait to get the week started. I would like to thank Paul at RSR and a sponsor of ours Petro Communications for this opportunity.”
Conor Daly:
“I’m very excited to be headed to Daytona for the first time. I appreciate the opportunity RSR Racing has given me and look forward to working with the team. It will be a whole new experience for me and I’m ready to work with the team to learn from the guys around me to get up to speed quickly.”
