FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Craig Stanton to Team with Dr. Jim Norman in 2014 TUDOR United SportsCar GTD
Norman and Stanton will share the No. 71 Park Place Motorsports Porsche for premiere season of new series
Santa Barbara, California – December 23, 2013 – Park Place Motorsports announced today that Craig Stanton will compete in the entire IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship next year, co-driving the No. 71 with fellow champion driver, Dr. Jim Norman. Stanton joins Norman, the reigning Rolex 24 At Daytona and GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series GX champion, behind the wheel of the No. 71 Park Place Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 America.
“Craig was at the top of our recruit list for a handful of reasons,” said Norman, a past Rookie of The Year in both the GRAND-AM Rolex and Continental Tire series. “Of course, he is fast but he also has the wisdom and knowledge to be a team leader on and off the track. It was also very important to our healthcare sponsors to have a spokesperson representing their brand that is in great shape and understands the importance of personal health. In many ways Craig is the perfect fit for our team and for me personally.”
A championship driver, recognized as one of the most physically-fit motorsports athletes in North America, Stanton achieved the clear majority of his career success in Porsches, including winning the 2005 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car GT Championship.
“I am grateful to be a part of the Park Place Motorsports team and to join Jim in the No. 71,” stated Stanton. “I enjoy working with quality people and John and I have worked well together in the past. Putting this deal together for the full season was easy which shows me that it was meant to be. It’s a dream come true and exciting in all aspects – team, co-driver, and sponsor. I’m looking forward to great results in 2014!”
Stanton was the final piece in assembling next year’s Park Place team. Norman and Stanton will race in partnership with new teammates Patrick Lindsey and Kévin Estre, named earlier this month as the drivers of the No. 73 Porsche for the two-car Porsche 911 GT3 America GT Daytona (GTD) team.
“Craig has been a icon driving the Porsche brand for as long as I’ve been dreaming of racing sports cars,” declared Lindsey, a Park Place Motorsports lead driver and team principal. “His talent, enthusiasm and superman-like fitness are a great addition. I’m excited for Jim, Craig, Kevin and the team; we’re going to have a blast racing together.”
John Horton, a top engineer in the motorsports industry and an ASE Master Technician, will lead the technical effort on both the No. 71 and No. 73 Porsches. The former IndyCar crew chief has been in racing for over 20 years and most recently led and managed racing teams in ALMS, World Challenge and GRAND-AM, including several podium finishes in 2013 for Lindsey and Porsche Factory driver Patrick Long.
“I am extremely pleased for Craig Stanton to be part of the team,” said Horton, also a Park Place Motorsports team principal. “I’ve worked with him before and we are all excited to have him at Park Place Motorsports. He is very fast, very consistent and a great asset. He always finds the positive in every situation, which is a key to our success. I like having his immediate feedback in pit-lane; it will help us get the car to maximum speed!”
Park Place Motorsports will jump-start its 2014 season with the annual Roar Before the Rolex 24 At Daytona Test, January 3 – 5, at Daytona International Speedway. Additional team drivers for next month’s season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona will be named soon.
About Park Place Motorsports – Park Place Motorsports is the racing arm of Dallas-based Park Place Dealerships, which represents upscale manufacturers such as Porsche, Jaguar, and Maserati. Park Place Motorsports augments the unparalleled service its dealerships provide by offering customers a premium level of support for their motorsports activities. Services include maintenance and repair, driver and racecar support, and parts engineering and distribution. The scope of their services is well-represented in Park Place Motorsports’ flagship GT Daytona team in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship. Learn more at www.parkplacemotorsports.com
# # #