DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Era Motorsport is ready for their biggest battle yet in the pursuit of their second Rolex 24 win this weekend at the Daytona Int’l Speedway.
The team of Indy NXT champion Christian Rasmussen, up-and-coming talent Connor Zilisch, sports car stalwart Ryan Dalziel and Asian Le Mans champion Dwight Merriman will pilot the No. 18 Oreca 07 LMP2 car in the 62nd running of the world famous Rolex 24 at Daytona.
After two years of mechanical DNFs, Era Motorsport is ready to return to the top spot on the podium.
This year, the team welcomed LMP2 newcomer Connor Zilisch to the driver lineup to rejoin last year’s returning drivers Rasmussen, Dalziel and Merriman. Zilisch made a big splash at tje Roar Before the 24 last weekend when he managed to top the leaderboard of a practice session despite not yet having started a race in the class.
With a capacity field of 59 cars starting the race this Saturday, 13 of which competing in the LMP2 class, the No. 18 faces the strongest competition they have yet to face in the Rolex.
“It’s going to be an exciting race,” explained Tilley. “With LMP3 being removed from IMSA and LMP2 removed from WEC, we’ve had increased entries in the class. We’re very excited about the level of competition; growth for the class is good all around. Plus, competing against the best teams from WEC gives us a benchmark, and helps us all to raise our game.”