Lmp3 Awa Mantella 12142021

AWA TO JOIN IMSA WEATHERTECH CHAMPIONSHIP, PROTOTYPE CHALLENGE FIELDS IN 2022

Toronto-Based Team Gears Up for LMP3 and Prototype Challenge Efforts

 

Toronto (ON), December 14, 2021 – Canadian team AWA is thrilled to announce its 2022 campaign in the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship. After a successful 2021 season in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge – which saw AWA win the highly praised, four hours of Daytona, in addition to another victory at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course – the team sought after a new challenge.

 

“LMP3 cars are fast, enjoyable machines,” said Team Principal Andrew Wojteczko. “The LMP3 class has no Balance of Performance (BoP), and it is more economical than GT Daytona (GTD). It is a competitive class with expectations of significant growth in coming seasons. To make the switch to LMP3 was a logical progression for our team.”

 

Toronto native Orey Fidani will be paired with Kuno Wittmer in AWA’s Duqueine D08 LMP3 that will sport the team’s usual yellow livery and the number 13. The duo will be joined by Lars Kern for the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup races at Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen and Road Atlanta, and Matt Bell will complete the team’s effort during the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

 

“I am extremely delighted on being back in the WeatherTech Championship,” declared Montreal native Kuno Wittmer. “Having joined AWA in late 2019, the connection with the team and co-driver Orey Fidani has been an incredible adventure so far. We had the chance to test the LMP3 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park a couple times and we all fell in love with it. Orey is an absolute gentleman, friend and I value his driving skills highly. Also, I’m very happy to have Lars and Matt onboard, as we know their capabilities in the series.”

 

Lars Kern is no stranger to the WeatherTech Championship field, as he previously competed with Pfaff Motorsports and scored a win with the team this past season at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.

 

“It’s great to stay in IMSA and be with AWA,” said the German driver. “The team did a tremendous job in the Michelin Pilot Challenge, and it will be exciting to see their transition to the WeatherTech Championship. I am paired with experienced drivers who know IMSA in and out, so I think it’s going to be straight forward, but it’s always exciting to start the season with the biggest event. I am happy to stay within the paddock as part of a great team with connections to Pfaff. In the past few seasons, I fell in love with the way Canadians work and who they are. I’m really looking forward to working with Andrew, Orey, Kuno and Matt for the first race. Let’s bring it on!”

 

Matt Bell echoed Lars’ thoughts on participating in the Rolex 24 At Daytona by adding, “I’m very excited to be joining team AWA for the Daytona 24 Hours. It’s a race I love doing and it’s always a great way to kickstart the year. I’ll be new to the team; we have a great lineup, so I’ll be doing all I can to help challenge for the top step and start the team’s season off as strongly as possible.”

 

IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Schedule

January 21-23 Roar Before the Rolex 24 at Daytona Test
January 27-23 Daytona International Speedway 24 Hours*
March 16-19 Sebring International Raceway 12 Hours*
May 13-15 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course 2h 40 minutes
June 23-26 Watkins Glen International 6 Hours*
July 1-3 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park 2h 40 minutes
August 5 – 7 Road America 2h 40 minutes
September 28 – October 1 Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta 10 Hours*

*IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup Round

 

IMSA Prototype Challenge

In addition to a full season in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, AWA will field a second LMP3 car in the IMSA Prototype Challenge (IPC) with Canadian driver Anthony Mantella.

 

“I am honored that Anthony has elected to have AWA campaign his IPC effort for next season,” declared Andrew Wojteczko. “I’m confident Anthony will be up to speed quickly and challenging for podiums in the bronze cup. Anthony has had a few years away from the sport, a chance to reflect and I believe he’s coming back to it with a great approach, a positive attitude focused on being the best driver he can be.”

 

IMSA Prototype Challenge Schedule

January 21-23 Roar Before the Rolex 24 at Daytona 3 Hours
May 13-15 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course 1h 45 minutes
July 1-3 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park 1h 45 minutes
August 26 -28 VIRginia International Raceway 1h 45 minutes
September 28 – October 1 Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta 1h 45 minutes

 

-ENDS-

 

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