Dinosaur Livery For AO Racing
After racing under a special one-off livery at Daytona International Speedway, honouring the 1983 Rolex 24 At Daytona race winners, AO Racing has retired their Swap Shop livery in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for their full season livery. The #80 Porsche 911 GT3 R has transformed into the ‘GT3 Rawr’, ferociously dominating the competition as a Rexy Tyrannosaurus Rex.
The inspiration came from Team Principal and Driver PJ Hyett, in honor of his children. Hyett proudly sports a T-Rex for his son and a unicorn for his daughter on his helmet, taking his family with him as he races. A similar and very laudable sentiment to the ‘Sparklefarts’ unicorn livery sported by the Lamborghini Super Trofeo car fielded by Flying Lizards for driver Slade Stewart. (Ed – More power to you Gentlemen!)
The theme is now carried over to the car and is set to become a sure-fire kids favourite in the IMSA paddock.
In preparation for March 18th’s endurance event in Sebring, Florida, the team has conducted additional testing. BoP has been the topic of conversation following the first race of the season, and the numbers doled out by IMSA for Sebring bring the new car very close indeed to those run for the prior version of the 911 GT3R. Track performance this week is set to show whether the issues at Daytona were entirely a BoP matter – or whether there are issues elsewhere too!
Hyett will once again be joined by his full-season co-driver Sebastian Priaulx, with Gunnar Jeannette again fulfilling his driving duties as the endurance round addition.
Partnering with Project-1 in the World Endurance Championship, the team will also compete in the 1000 miles of Sebring on Friday, March 17, beginning at 11:55 AM ET.
Sebastian Priaulx
I’m really looking forward to working with AO Racing again for another race weekend. It’s my first Twelve Hours of Sebring, which is pretty special for me. It’s a race that my dad has won, and one I’d like to win as well. It’s a great event. It’s one of the best ones out there. I’m looking forward to driving the Porsche and giving it all we’ve got. I’m looking forward to the weekend ahead and working with PJ and Gunnar and getting the job done.
Gunnar Jeannette
I’m thrilled to be one of the guys that will drive the GT3-Rawr. Hopefully, Rexy goes as fast as it looks and we can come home with a good result after our disappointing Daytona. We really want to give the fans something to cheer for as Rexy makes it’s mark both on & off track.