Toronto, Ontario – Following the recent announcement that Mantella Autosport will switch from Aston Martin to Chevrolet for the 2015 Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, the team has now announced the signing of American Le Mans Series winner Kyle Marcelli to pilot one of the teams Camaro Z28.R’s alongside Martin Barkey.
This news comes not long after the team’s recent two-day test at Sebring International Raceway, where Marcelli tested the car for the first time.
“I’m pleased to be joining Mantella Autosport for 2015 and to be co-driving alongside fellow countryman Martin Barkey.” Said Kyle Marcelli. “The team has proven that they want to win races and there’s no question that they have the personnel and equipment to accomplish that goal. I worked with Martin in 2014; he takes his racing responsibilities seriously and puts forth a lot of effort both on and off track. Following our recent test, I enjoyed coming to grips with the Camaro, it’s a very different car than the Porsche. I look forward to the up coming season and I expect the competition to be strong, so we will need to bring forward our best effort.”
"Mantella Autosport Inc. is thrilled to welcome Kyle Marcelli to the driver lineup alongside Martin Barkey. His extensive experience and outright pace is an asset to the team and will no doubt help secure great results in the #80 Mantella Autosport, MBRP Camaro Z28R." Commented Andrew Wojteczko, Team Manager
The 2015 Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge kicks off with the official pre-season test at Daytona International Speedway on January 9-11, 2015, followed by round one of the championship at Daytona International Speedway on January 21-23, 2015 in support of the prestigious Rolex 24 at Daytona.
You can watch live race coverage on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2.
ABOUT: MANTELLA AUTOSPORT
Mantella Autosport is an all Canadian race team based out of Toronto, Ontario. For 2015 they are campaigning two Chevrolet Z28R race cars in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge. The televised 10-race schedule, will see the team travel to premier race tracks in North America on their mission to win the 2015 Championship.
For more information on Manetlla Autosport visit: www.MantellaAutosport.com
ABOUT: KYLE MARCELLI
Today, at 24 years of age, Canada’s Kyle Marcelli has established himself as a professional racing driver and one of North America’s top rising stars in professional sportscar racing across the globe. After a successful career in go karts and single-seaters, Kyle made his rookie debut at the pinnacle of sportscar racing, the American Le Mans Series in 2010. Since then, Kyle has built a reputation of being a consistent front-runner earning many qualifying pole positions, race wins and podium finishes.
Kyle’s permanent residence is Barrie, Ontario, Canada. Following his career aspirations of professional auto racing; he’s a consummate professional both on and off the track. Kyle represents his passion, sport, sponsors, team and fans proudly and effectively. He’s winning, engaging and always visible.
For more information on Kyle Marcelli visit: www.KyleMarcelli.com
ABOUT: CONTINENTAL TIRE SPORTSCAR CHALLENGE
The IMSA Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge is a grand touring and touring car racing series run by the International Motor Sports Association. Originating from the Canadian Motorola Cup, the series was taken over by Grand-Am in 2001 to become the Grand-Am Cup following the demise of rival IMSA's Firehawk series of similar rules in the US. KONI became series sponsor for the start of the 2007 season when the series became known as the KONI Challenge Series, before renaming once more prior to the start of the 2009 season as the KONI Sports Car Challenge. The series name was once again changed for the 2010 season.
The Continental Challenge was the support series for Grand-Am's premier offering, the Rolex Sports Car Series. In 2014, the series became the support series for the United SportsCar Championship upon the merger of the Rolex Series and the American Le Mans Series. The series was renamed the IMSA Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge.
For more information on the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge visit: www.IMSA.com