Rayhall reunites with 8Star for TUDOR Championship 12 Hours of Sebring

The leading 8Star Motorsports team has reinforced its driver line-up and will vie for the LMPC class victory in the 2014 Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring Fuelled by Fresh From Florida at the world-renowned Sebring International Raceway (13-16 March).

Young charger Sean Rayhall augments 8Star’s already stellar line-up, which was recently boosted by the arrival of Eric Lux alongside Michael Marsal and Tom Kimber-Smith, as the outfit prepares for the second round of the newly-amalgamated TUDOR United SportsCar Championship at Sebring.

#25 8Star Motorsports Oreca FLM09 Oreca: Oswaldo Negri, Sean Rayhall

Photo by: Eric Gilbert

The 19-year old from Atlanta, Georgia started racing Karts at the tender age of seven. He became the youngest driver in North America to win an open-wheeled formula race and has had a great deal of success in stock cars, GTs and prototypes.

Rayhall finished second in class on his LMPC debut in 8Star colours at last year’s Petit Le Mans and, after winning the coveted Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Championship title in 2013, reunites with Enzo Potolicchio’s squad with the sole objective of taking the 2014 TUDOR Championship crown for the team.

“I’d say we’re in a very good position and, for sure, we can expect to be fighting for podium finishes or a win in the 12 Hours of Sebring," said Rayhall. "I’m truly excited to be back with 8Star Motorsports, especially as part of such a strong driver line-up alongside Tom (Kimber-Smith), Mike (Marsal) and Eric (Lux). I’m very familiar with Sebring International Raceway and comfortable with the LMPC car and, because 8Star hasn’t been off the podium in PC, we can’t expect anything less this weekend. My teammates and I are determined to take Enzo (Potolicchio) and the team to victory lane and the championship title!”

Lux, meanwhile, is a highly skilled and experienced young racer who has notched up several high-profile successes in prototypes and sportscars and recently completed a productive two-day test in 8Star’s striking ORECA FLM09 LMPC racer at Sebring (20-21 February).

The 25-year old from Williamsville, New York has an American Le Mans Series title to his name and notably became the first 16-year-old to finish the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona.

But having also scaled the 12 Hours of Sebring winners’ rostrum twice before, Lux is naturally focused on hitting the top again, this time in 8Star colours and alongside Rayhall, Marsal and Kimber-Smith.

“The test was helpful and we identified several areas that we wanted to improve before the race weekend,” said Lux. “It was also great to meet the team and learn how it operates in an environment that isn’t as stressful as a race weekend. I clocked up a lot of mileage and the objective is always to win. Sebring is a great circuit and I believe we will have a very strong car for the race, as everybody at 8Star has been doing a great job. I have great confidence in Enzo (Potolicchio), the team and my fellow drivers – they’re all very professional and we share the same desire and focus. I have heard great things about Sean (Rayhall) too and, while I am yet to meet him, I’m sure he will be a fantastic addition to 8Star’s already strong line-up.”

TUDOR United SportsCar Championship free practice is scheduled to take place at 9.55, 16.05 and 20.00 on Thursday 13 March, with an additional session at 9.55 and LMPC qualifying at 16.55 the following day (Friday 14 March).

Meanwhile, the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring Fuelled by Fresh From Florida commences at 10.15am on Saturday 15 March.

8Star Motorsports