DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. – Performance Tech Motorsports has added young driver Mateo Llarena to the team’s driver roster for the Rolex 24 at Daytona Int’l Speedway in January.
Sixteen-year-old Llarena, of Guatemala, is the first of four drivers to be confirmed by the team to share the No. 38 Ligier JS P320 in the Rolex 24.
Llarena began racing karts when he was four before transitioning FIA Formula 4 at the age of 14. He caught the eye of Porsche AG Motorsports, earning him an invitation to compete in the 2020 Mobil 1 Supercup Europe season.
In addition to his formula and GT car background, he has also tested in LMP3 prototypes. He will partake in the three-day Roar Before the 24 event on Jan. 22-24 to get acquainted with his co-drivers and the car before reporting for duty the following week for the 59th running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona.
“I’ve never done a 24-hour race but I’ve been preparing for it physically even before we knew I was participating,” said Llarena. “Starting three years ago I have been working out a lot each week to get mentally and physically strong. I go to a gym where we work on physical exercises and more mental ones like reaction time training and overall mental strength. I’m working to be my best and strongest when I arrive so we can push for a win.”