CORE autosport signs Long and Jonsson for Daytona

CORE autosport, which became synonymous with IMSA's Prototype Challenge class, is this year campaigning a Porsche 911 GT3 R in GTD, and has revealed that the Weissach marque's only American works driver, Long, and experienced sportscar stalwart Jonsson will partner Bennett and Braun in next January's Rolex 24.

Jonsson will then continue as the team's "third driver" for the other endurance races on the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship schedule – Sebring 12 Hours, Watkins Glen 6 Hours and Petit Le Mans.

The Swede, who has three times finished on the podium at Le Mans and has class victories at Sebring and Petit Le Mans, commented: "I'm very thankful to both team manager Morgan Brady and team owner Jon Bennett for having the faith in me to offer this opportunity.

"CORE has shown ever since they came in to IMSA that they are one of the absolute top teams, winning races and championships in the very competitive Prototype Challenge category.

"To join an already very successful organization with one of the most iconic motorsports brands in Porsche and with such strong teammates in Jon, Colin and Pat makes me very excited."

Long, who has scored a victory and three podium at the Rolex 24, has raced for CORE in the past, having campaigned the team's 911 along with Braun and Tom Kimber-Smith in the GT category of the 2013 American Le Mans Series.

He commented: "It's great to be back with CORE autosport. I feel we have a special past together and rejoining them for their first race in the GT3R has a special connection to the first time we rolled out as a team in the 911 RSR at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in 2013."