NTE/SSR’s third attempt at the GTD class win at the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona will come with their #42 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 in full 2022 EVO2 spec and with a new look to their driver squad as Don Yount, Jaden Conwright, Kerong Li, and Alessio Deledda combine.
“The Rolex 24 field is at capacity, and it’s such an honour for NTE/SSR to be included in such a prestigious event against some of the world’s best teams and drivers,” said NTE/SSR Principal Paul Mata. “I got my start as a mechanic and to now be a team owner, competing against this field with such a strong lineup really calls the best out of each and every person at NTE. We’ve proven to be competitive against many of these teams, and now we are ready to fight for our place on the podium of an important event. I believe we have the lineup to make that happen.”
The Lamborghini will be fielded with a 2023 variation on the team’s theme of asymmetric livery.
Gentleman driver Don Yount has been with NTE/SSR since the team’s IMSA WeatherTech debut in 2021 and has been a part of the majority of the team’s WeatherTech races since including a top-ten finish alongside Marco Holzer and current co-driver Jaden Conwright at the 2022 season finale, Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta.
Jaden Conwright, inaugural recipient of the IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship, will continue to receive some support from the scholarship, continuing to work towards his aspiring career as a full-time driver in the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship. Conwright raced in all seven of the team’s races in the twelve-race calendar last season. He returns to the team’s Rolex 24 lineup with hopes of being locked in as one of the team’s full-season drivers.
Kerong Li made his sports car racing debut in 2021 at Road Atlanta with NTE/SSR in the Michelin Pilot Challenge. Since then, the young racer has continued to develop his craft in the sports car racing arena, participating in the 2022 Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe’s Pro-Am Cup, and the 24H GT Series powered by Hankook. Li will be one of few drivers to race the prestigious Rolex 24 under a Chinese license, an honour he wears proudly heading to the big event.
Alessio Deledda joins NTE having recently competed in the DTM championship with GRT Grasser Racing in a Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo. He began his career in motorcycle racing, moving to open wheel racing in 2018 in the Italian Formula 4 championship. He climbed the open-wheel ladder to the FIA Formula 2 championship in 2021 before moving to sportscars in 2022.
Don Yount: I can’t wait to get back to Daytona and the huge field set for 2023. I know the guys at NTE will bring a strong car for the fight. It will be a long race with a lot of cars on track. Anything can happen and we are looking for a good result for the drivers and team.
Jaden Conwright: I’m really looking forward to returning to the Rolex 24 At Daytona with NTE/SSR. Last year we had a really solid race going until the issue 19 hours in, so I feel like we’re heading back with some unfinished business. Now that we’ve had a year to improve and develop, I think we’re much more prepared to tackle this difficult race. Looking forward to finally hitting the track in the new Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo 2 during the Roar Before the 24.
Kerong Li: Daytona is one of my biggest dreams for a long time and finally we make that come true this year. I’m looking forward to the biggest endurance of the world and hope we get that Rolex!
Alessio Deledda: I am very excited about this new adventure. It will be a completely new experience in different aspects. I have never raced an endurance race and participating in the 24 hours of Daytona will certainly be exciting since it is one of the most prestigious races in the world, but also very demanding both mentally and physically. Racing in America is new for me and I will meet everyone at NTE/SSR for the first time. I’ve been practising the circuit on the simulator, and it looks very fun. My pace has been good, and I’ve improved with each lap. Pace is very important over the duration of this race. I can’t wait to get started!
