Barely one month into 2012, and Motul is already looking forward to its second major motor sport event of the season – the forthcoming Rolex 24 at Daytona which takes place at Daytona International Speedway, Florida on 28/29th January.
Just two weeks since the Dubai 24 Hours in the Middle East, for which international lubricant specialist Motul was an official partner, auto racing’s attention now turns to the other side of the world for the 50th anniversary running of the North American classic. Promising to be one of the most exciting and closely fought races in its storied history, the entry list features no fewer than 60 cars, of which 46 are in the manufacturer-led GT class. Brands such as Audi, BMW, Dodge, Ferrari, Ford, Mazda and Porsche will be competing for glory in the twice-round-the-clock race, and wheel-to-wheel action is guaranteed from start to finish.
More than 50 titles were clinched in 2011 under the Motul name, in all categories of motorsport around the world. In every case, the company’s extensive and motorsport-specific range of products were used, such as the 300V range which was developed using experience at endurance events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans at the Daytona 24.
At Daytona this month Motul will be providing technical support to two important and high profile GT teams. APR Motorsport will be marking the debut of Audi’s R8 Grand Am, the first example of the R8 LMS to be built to Grand Am specifications, and featuring amongst its driver line up Emanuele Pirro, 5-time winner with Audi Sport of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. As a technical partner since 2008 with the Alabama-based tuner APR, Motul is confident in the fact that the APR performance kits perform at their optimum with Motul fluids, and these will be in use in both the GT entry and the five cars entered by APR in the Florida 200, the first round of the Continental Tire Sport Car Challenge.
Also receiving Motul’s continued support will be experienced Rolex Series entrant and leading BMW tuner, Turner Motorsport, who will be running two BMW M3s with a world class driver line up including BMW Motorsport factory drivers such as Jörg and Dirk Muller (no relation), Dirk Werner and BMW North America’s ultra-successful Bill Auberlen and Boris Said. Winner of multiple national championships, Turner Motorsport is also entering two BMW M3s in the GS Class of the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge and head into that event as defending champions.
Motul’s Managing Director, Hervé Amelot, believes that Motul’s technical expertise and the 24-hour race are an ideal fit. "Motul is involved in motorsport all over the world at the highest level – in motorcycling as well as motor racing. To know that Motul is technical partner to two such well-known teams, each representing the interests of such prestigious brands as Audi and BMW in this 50th running of the Daytona 24, is great proof of the confidence that competitors have in our products."
