RSR Racing : « We have builtd this programme to win the title ! »
Paul Gentilozzi is a figure of American mortosport. Not only through his career as a driver, his win at the 24 Hours of Daytona and his several titles in Trans-Am, but also through his team, RSR Racing, seen in Champ Car, in Trans-Am and today in Prototype Challenge within the United Sportscar Championship. Though his sons, John and Tony, are now Chief Engineer and Team Manager, Paul Gentilozzi still keeps an eye on things. With the annual 12 Hours of Sebring coming up, his determination to win remains intact.
At the end of January, RSR Racing took part in the 24 Hours of Daytona with one goal in mind : a third class win in Florida. The Michigan-based team will have to wait for another year. « We started thinking about Daytona last August and we had exchanged words with ORECA at the time. » says Paul Gentilozzi. « ORECA responded the right answers to our questions. Both of our cars raced very well and lead the class. We were racing fast with such experienced drivers as Alex Tagliani and Bruno Junqueira. Unfortunately we were not able to cross the finish line because of some accidents. But I am sure we will meet other successes later during the season. »
Indeed, RSR Racing will be aiming for the first place this week-end at the annual 12 Hours of Sebring. « We are thinking about victory and victory only » says Gentilozzi. « I think that we have the strongest team. Our two professional drivers, Tagliani and Junqueira, are very competitive. Our gentlemen drivers, Chris Cumming and Duncan Ende, are also very much experienced. We have built this programme in order to win the title ! »
On Saturday, RSR Racing and its two ORECA-FLM09 will be contending with a pack of ten cars. The Prototype Challenge battle promises to be exciting which Gentilozzi looks forward to. « It is quite unusual to find a car that can compete at such a high level at an effective cost. Though our professional drivers have been at the wheel of many cars, they love this one and enjoy driving it very much. Having touched on all the disciplines throughout my career, I can say it is the best value in the world. »
RSR Racing will pursue in the PC class with the ORECA-FLM09 in the future. « My interest is on Prototype Challenge. I have no desire to change category » concludes Paul Gentilozzi, Sebring’s class winner in 1992. His team will try to repeat that performance 22 years later !