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WeatherTech Racing Ready for Daytona 24
MacNeil, Vilander, Farnbacher and Westphal ready for 24
BOLINGBROOK, Ill, (January 22, 2019) – Cooper MacNeil (Hinsdale, Ill.), Toni Vilander (Finland), Dominik Farnbacher (Germany) and Jeff Westphal (San Mateo, Calif.) are ready for this weekend’s IMSA WeatherTech Championship Rolex 24 Hour At Daytona, January 24-27.
The Roar test early in the month reaffirmed that drivers MacNeil, Vilander, Farnbacher and Westphal combined with the Scuderia Corsa team have what it takes to be a factor come Sunday afternoon in Daytona. The team ran a trouble-free Roar test, going through driver changes, set-up adjustments to the No. 63 Ferrari GT3 488 as well as getting miles on the new to IMSA Michelin tires. With 24 hours of racing the four drivers are confident in their teammates, team and equipment to be a contender in the ultra-competitive GTD field this weekend.
“I’ve won Sebring and Petit, I sure would like to add a Rolex watch to my wrist this weekend,” MacNeil said. “We have all of the key elements in place. The drivers are seasoned and ready, the Scuderia Corsa team is well versed and the Ferrari 488 can get the job done. We will have to run a fault-free race, keep it out of the garage and be in contention when the sun comes up on Sunday. Then it is a sprint to the finish.”
“We had a trouble-free Roar test with the drivers and the Scuderia Corsa team,” Vilander said. “All of the drivers have Ferrari experience so we are well versed on what the car is capable of at Daytona. Now we just have to put everything together to run a perfect race, because that is what I think it will take to win on Sunday. WeatherTech has given us everything we need to be successful. We just have to deliver.”
“I was surprised how well everything was prepped and how the team spirit was when I arrived for the Roar test,” Farnbacher said. “Straight out of the box I felt comfortable in the WeatherTech Ferrari. Well-engineered and prepped for the Daytona circuit. I think we have a good chance to make this a very good race. Never the less it will not be a walk in the park. The competition is strong. But we have a fantastic lineup with our lightning fast silver Cooper, Ferrari Factory driver Toni and myself and Jeff as the fast addition to the lineup. Man, I can’t wait.”
“The Roar was a very successful test,” Westphal said. “We checked many of the prerace boxes necessary for a successful 24-hour weekend, and started to gel as a unit. Drivers and engineering staff were able to build communication streams, and make sure we have all the items and details in order before the green flag drops. The WeatherTech Ferrari 488 GT3 is in good hands with Scuderia Corsa, and improved each time it left the garage at the Roar. I was able to get some valuable seat time in the 63 as well as qualify the team for a desired pit box location which I feel will be an unspoken advantage heading into the many pit stops of the 24.”
The Rolex 24 Hours At Daytona will take the green flag at 2:35 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 26. Qualifying will take place on Thursday, January 24 at 3:35 p.m. for the GTD cars. The race will be broadcast live on NBCSN starting at 2 p.m. ET race day.
For more information on WeatherTech Racing, including race recaps, photos and team gear, please visit the team site at www.WeatherTechRacing.com.
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