Paul Miller Racing Press Release
No. 48 Paul Miller Racing Audi R8 LMS Takes First Laps of 2014 at the
Roar Before the Rolex 24 At Daytona
Paul Miller Racing drivers Bryce Miller, Christophe Hasse, Rene Rast
and Matt Bell Begin Testing for This Month's Rolex 24 At Daytona
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 4, 2013) - Paul Miller Racing debuted its
line-up of drivers for the Rolex 24 At Daytona during the first day of testing
at the Roar Before the Rolex 24 on Friday where Bryce Miller, Christophe Hasse,
Rene Rast and Matt Bell took their first official laps of 2014 in the No. 48
Paul Miller Racing Audi R8 LMS.
This year's edition of the annual three-day New Year's test on
Daytona's signature 3.56-mile road course is in preparation for the 52nd Rolex
24 At Daytona, January 23 - 26.
While the temperatures were well below average for this time of year,
barely breaking out of the 40s, the team made the most of Friday's two
sessions. The Paul Miler Racing team focused on potential set-ups for nighttime
race conditions and building team chemistry.
"It was cold, which makes it really difficult to learn so much
with the temperatures being the way they are," Bryce Miller said. "We
were lapping the car to try and test for set-ups specifically for this weather
if it comes to this. A few years ago it was 18 degrees in the middle of the
night, so that is something of value if these conditions replicate themselves
again for the race."
The day also allowed drivers to get comfortable with the track and the
banking that the unique "roval" road course presents. Friday's
sessions also gave drivers quality seat time to adjust to the nuisances of the
car.
"The morning session was a little bit of baptism by fire,"
said debuting British driver Bell. "I got out on the track and there is
obviously a huge amount of traffic. It's been a year since I've driven where
I've not been in the fastest class. There is a different tire to get used to
and the cars are a little bit different to the European ones I've driven. They
aren't too dissimilar but enough to make you think about it."
Daytona's famous high banks in particular were an eye opener for Bell,
the younger brother of Rob Bell who was part of Paul Miller Racing's 2011 GT
runner-up finish at the Rolex 24.
"Of course, the first lap on the banking is very odd, and it took
a little bit of time to get used to it before I was confident to go full
speed," Bell said. "I just built the speed up and built my confidence
in the car, and by the end we were getting there. I know I'll get more
confident over the next couple of days. Overall, I have a very good feeling
about the car and generally a very good feeling with the team. All the guys are
quite nice, and it's an easy team to get to know everybody. I've enjoyed my experience
so far."
The second day of the Roar Before the 24 At Daytona continues today,
with four allotted practice times, including the weekend's only evening
session.
About Paul Miller Racing:
Paul Miller Racing is among the top GT teams competing in North
American sports car road racing. In 2014, the team will contest the full GT
Daytona (GTD) season in the new IMSA TUDOR SportsCar Championship in a new
partnership with Audi Sport customer racing. Bryce Miller will drive the No. 48
Paul Miller Racing Audi R8 LMS with a to-be-named co-driver. The racing team is
affiliated with the Paul Miller Auto Group, which has operated Paul Miller Audi
since 1976, races in support of Full Circle Home, and competes with the support
of TOTAL Lubricants, Search Marketing Group and Motegi Racing.
Follow Paul Miller Racing on Twitter @paulmilleracing @bryceracer and
become a Facebook fan at Facebook.com/paulmillerracing and
Facebook.com/brycemiller.net. Learn more about the team at
www.paulmillerracing.com.
About Audi of America and the Audi R8 LMS:
Audi began a new chapter in 2009 with the introduction of the Audi
Sport customer racing program. For the first time it was possible for
motorsport customers to acquire a race car designed for customer racing events.
Since its inception, the success of the R8 LMS has been significant throughout
the GT3 racing format worldwide, including victory in the GT class in the 2013
edition of the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The Audi R8 LMS shares more than 50% of its
parts with the Audi R8 street car including the naturally aspirated V10 5.2
Liter engine, the Audi Space Frame and a variety of other components.
Audi of America, Inc. and its U.S. dealers offer a full line of
German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury
automotive brands globally. Audi was a top-performing luxury brand in Europe
during 2012, and broke all-time company sales records in the U.S. Through 2016,
AUDI AG will invest about $17 billion on new products and technologies.
Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com for more information
regarding Audi vehicle and business issues.
Photo credit: Paul Miller Racing
