The Racer's Group completes Daytona December test

TRG Tops GRAND-AM GT Charts at Daytona 24 December Test Days

#67 TRG Porsche GT3: Steven Bertheau, Spencer Pumpelly

Photo by: Eric Gilbert

Daytona Beach, FL (December 8th, 2011) - The Racer's Group unloaded five Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars earlier this week for December Test Days at Daytona in preparation for the 2012 GRAND-AM Series' Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona. TRG hit the track with 14 drivers, finishing each day with the fastest times in class.

This test marked the second of three official practice sessions for GRAND-AM teams aiming to participate in the famed 24 hour race. This year's event is especially important as it marks the 50th anniversary. It is also the start of a new chapter for the series, as many new manufactures enter the class, including Ferrari, Audi and Dodge.

"Our guys have worked tirelessly over the past few months prepping these cars for the test and it shows!" said TRG team owner Kevin Buckler "I'm so proud of all the drivers. Each and every one of them showed up and achieved their goals. We're very happy with the results and are looking forward to January!"

TRG driver Spencer Pumpelly swapped spots with others as the fastest GT car of the field, but ultimately Pumpelly put down a 1:49.437, making the 2012 No. 67 Sargent & Lundy/TRG Porsche 911 GT3 Cup that he shared with Steve Bertheau, quickest in class. Pumpelly and TRG driver Ben Keating also had a strong run in the 66 car, taking the 2nd fastest spot.

"The test was great. It was the first time to have the new 2012 Porsche GT3 Cup on track, and I was delighted," said Keating. "Having just won the Dodge Viper Cup at Daytona six weeks ago, I have had a little more track time than last year. I was fast and consistent, which were my goals coming into the test. I was amazed with how well the new car performed right out of the box. TRG nailed it. I am looking toward to The Roar in early January. Ready to dial it in."

Also participating with TRG in the test was two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip, who turned his first laps on the Daytona infield with his co-drivers Rob Kauffman and Rui Aguas. TRG's driver lineup for the December test included:

Car 64: Patricio Bornand, Eduardo Costabal, Mike Hedlund, Eliseo Salazar
Car 65: Emilio Di Guida, Bob Doyle, Jack McCarthy
Car 66: Ben Keating, Carlos Gomez
Car 67: Steven Bertheau, Spencer Pumpelly
Car 68: Rui Aguas, Robert Kaufman, Michael Waltrip

A full driver lineup for TRG's five car armada that will descent on Daytona International Raceway in January for both The Roar (Jan. 6-8)and the 24-hour 50th anniversary classic will be announced in the next several weeks. TRG is defending champion in GT class and has won four times, including once overall in 2003.