Defending LMP2 class winners of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, Era Motorsport has announced its line-up for the 63rd edition of the Daytona 24 Hours.
The #18 Era Motorsport ORECA 07-Gibson will be driven at Daytona by Paul-Loup Chatin, Ryan Dalziel, Tobias Lütke, and David Heinemeier Hansson. Only Dalziel returns from the quartet that won at Daytona in 2024.
Meanwhile, Lütke – best known as the founder and CEO of Shopify – has graduated from the HSR Prototype Challenge into a full-season role as Era’s new designated Bronze driver. He replaces Dwight Merriman, who will remain with Era Motorsport but will instead anchor the team’s new Creventic 24H Series programme that begins in 2025.
“This will be my fifth Rolex 24 at Daytona with Era,” said Dalziel, who has two Rolex 24 class wins to his name in 2021 and 2024. “After winning twice during that time we are for sure going in full of confidence. At the same time, LMP2’s depth of talented teams and drivers has grown massively over those years so we know we have to step up from 2024 and keep pushing for that third win together.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing Tobi against the other bronzes, and it’s great to be reunited with my old Patron teammate DHH and Paul-Loup who was part of our 2021 winning lineup. Let’s go!”
This will be Chatin’s fourth Daytona 24 Hours start and his first with Era since he and Dalziel won together in 2021, joined by Merriman and Team Owner Kyle Tilley. Chatin raced for AO Racing last season in IMSA alongside his commitments with the Alpine Hypercar team in WEC.
“I am super happy to join back Era Motorsport for my 4th Rolex 24 at Daytona,” said the Frenchman. “Era achieved some amazing success in the past few years and with my teammates, we will give everything to fight for the top. Thanks to Kyle and all the Era Motorsport team for your trust!”
Lütke brings past experience in LMP3 and Radical Cup prototypes, as well as TCR touring cars, into his first full season of IMSA WeatherTech competition – and his first Daytona 24 Hours.
“I’m going to be honest- throwing prototypes around storied tracks with David, Era, and team was not on my 2025 bingo card,” said Lütke. “But… that’s exactly what we are doing! So holy s*** – let’s go, can’t wait!”
Completing the line-up is 2014 Le Mans LMGTE Am class winner Heinemeier Hansson, a long-time colleague of Lütke from outside the racing world. “Two worlds are merging for me in 2025,” Hansson said. “Driving together with Tobi, whom I’ve known and worked with for 20 years through Ruby on Rails, is going to be a delight.
“Two programmers, one car! This is going to be great. Especially with Era running the show, and us teaming up with my old teammate Ryan Dalziel for the Rolex 24. Can’t wait to roll out.”
“2025 is shaping up to be a big year for us,” said Tilley. “I’m very excited to see what Tobi can do, we were all blown away by his speed at the test a few weeks ago. Considering it was his first time in an LMP2 it certainly bodes well for the season. We have done a fair bit of restructuring over the winter to manage our multiple programs, and I can’t wait to see it all come to fruition.”
Merriman, Dalziel, and stock car racing phenom Connor Zilisch swept the “36 Hours of Florida” last season with victories at Daytona and the Sebring 12 Hours. They finished third in the LMP2 Michelin Endurance Cup standings, while Dalziel and Era Motorsport finished third in the full-season LMP2 Championship.
Feature image © Jack Webster / Dailysportscar.com
