Newly announced IMSA Corvette GTD team have AWA confirmed their full-season driver lineups for the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
The Ontario-based outfit led by Andrew Wojteczko will field a pair of Corvette Z06 GT3.R entries in the GTD Class.
One ‘Vette will see the return of Orey Fidani and Matt Bell as co-drivers, and Anthony Mantella will be joined by 2023 FIA WEC GTE AM Drivers Champion Nico Varrone as his full-season teammate in the other Z06 GT3.R.
Orey Fidani has been with AWA since 2019 and has been an integral component to the team’s continued success over the years. He will once again be accompanied by Matt Bell, as the pairing reunite for a third consecutive season as teammates. With podium finishes together in 2023 at the 12 Hours of Sebring, Road America, and Petit Le Mans, this highly competitive duo will be seeking to expand on their prior success. Bell is a seasoned driver with a plethora of experience competing in endurance championships around the globe. With over 200 race entries to his name, including more than 80 podium results, Bell is a well established pro with a winning caliber who is capable of delivering top tier performances.
“Stepping up into the GTD class is both a very exciting and intense feeling,” said Orey Fidani.
“The competition at this level is world class, and features some of the best racing drivers in motorsports. All eyes will be on us, and I have full confidence in this team and this program. I’m thrilled to be working with Andrew Wojteczko and Matt Bell again. We’ve proven that this program has what it takes to fight for wins and I can’t wait to enter this next chapter with Corvette.”
“I’m really happy to be returning to AWA,” added Matt Bell. “It’s been a fantastic experience to grow with this team and I can’t wait to return with them for 2024.
“To be competing with a Corvette is a dream come true, as I’ve loved these cars since I first began competing in IMSA in 2014. Chevrolet is an iconic motorsport manufacturer so to represent that name in the GTD ranks is a great opportunity for us all.”
Anthony Mantella will also be continuing his long-standing relationship with the team following a highly prosperous 2023 season, including wins at the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the Battle On The Bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in addition to podium results at the Six Hours of the Glen and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. Nico Varrone, who previously competed and shared the podium with Mantella in the 2023 endurance races, will be expanding his role with the team in 2024 as he steps up into a full season role. Varrone possesses a great deal of experience within the Chevrolet program as he clinched the coveted 24 Heures du Mans win earlier this year with Corvette.
“It’s an honour to be driving a Corvette, this is a unique and rare opportunity that I feel very privileged to be a part of,” expressed Anthony Mantella.
“Corvette’s worldwide customer program is a trusted network, and it was a very easy decision to make after having worked with Chevrolet in the past. The advanced engineering and high level of professionalism that they bring to the racing scene is unprecedented. I want to express my gratitude to Andrew Wojteczko and everyone at Chevy Motorsports and Corvette for this one of a kind opportunity.”
“I’m very excited to be announced as a full season driver for AWA,” echoed Nico Varrone.
“It’s been a great first season together with some highlights including winning the Rolex 24 at Daytona, and I can’t wait to get my first laps under my belt in the Corvette Z06 GT3.R. I’m looking forward to this next season and I can’t wait to race for victories with Anthony Mantella. We’ve built an awesome friendship and both of us have the same desire to win. We have a busy year ahead of ourselves with new challenges but we like it that way!”
AWA will make their GTD debut with the Corvette Z06 GT3.R at the 2024 edition of the Rolex 24 at Daytona this upcoming January.
