Performance Tech Motorsports drivers Cameron Cassels and Max Hanratty brace for a test in 2020.
The experienced Performance Tech Motorsports drivers compete for the first time as co-drivers for the entirety of the IMSA Prototype Challenge season in the No. 75 NorCan Electric Ligier JS P3. With two seasons of LMP3 racing under each drivers’ belts, the duo is in hot pursuit of their first overall Prototype Challenge championship. The pair were teammates in 2019 under the Performance Tech Motorsports banner; however, it was not until the MICHELIN Sportscar Encore at Sebring International Raceway that they took to the track as co-drivers.
“I think Max and Cameron are a really smart pairing for 2020,” Team Principal Brent O’Neill said. “They both know the LMP3 car well so they can focus on the championship. Cameron has shown massive improvement over the past two seasons, so now it’s time just to dial it in and focus on specifics for Le Mans. Max was a great teammate for Blake last year, and I have no doubt he’ll be just that this year.”
Over the past two seasons, Cassels, British Columbia, has quickly distinguished himself as a staple in the Performance Tech family. He joined the team in 2018 for his debut season in an LMP3 car, where he earned the IMSA Prototype Challenge Masters Championship. This past season Cassels further impressed the team racing simultaneously in Prototype Challenge and the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. He capped off 2019 by earning the Jim Trueman Award, which includes an entry into the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans at Circuit de la Sarthe.
Hanratty, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is back for his second year with Performance Tech Motorsports and his third season in Prototype Challenge. In 2018 Hanratty finished third overall in the championship, providing him with a taste of success that he hasn’t forgotten. He and Cassels most recent LMP3 outing resulted in an impressive second-place qualifying effort, and fifth-place finish presenting a positive preview of what their 2020 could entail.
The No. 75 NorCan Electric Ligier JS P3 hits the track for the start of the 2020 calendar at Daytona International Speedway, Jan. 3-4. Performance Tech’s weekend begins with a full day of testing on Friday, Jan. 3. They return to the track Saturday, Jan. 4, for qualifying at 8:45 a.m. ET accompanied by an autograph session at 10:15 a.m. Finally, the green flag falls on Round One of IMSA Prototype Challenge at 12:15 p.m. For more information, visit https://www.imsa.com/events/2020-roar-rolex-24.
Cameron Cassels, Driver of the No. 75 NorCan Electric LMP3
“The 2020 season is shaping up to be super exciting,” Cassels said. “I am happy to say that I am back with Performance Tech Motorsports in the No. 75 Ligier. For 2020 I am also happy to announce I will be sharing a car with Max Hanratty. Max and I drove together at the MICHELIN Sportscar Encore back in November. We both share the same determination to push ourselves and the team for results which should make for a great year.”
Max Hanratty, Driver of the No. 75 NorCan Electric LMP3
“I’m thrilled to be joining Performance Tech Motorsports and Cameron for the 2020 season,” Hanratty said. “I had a great season with the team last year, and we were able to accomplish some strong results throughout the year. It was an amazing atmosphere within the team, and I look forward to rejoining forces. Cameron has proved he is one of the elite drivers in the series and, in very little time, has developed his skills to perform at a high level. Performance Tech has given us full resources to be highly competitive this season, and I look forward to having a strong run with Cameron. Lastly, I want to thank Brent and the team for the opportunity to join them again this year.”