Dalziel Returns to Fold, Joined by Newcomer Lutke and Veterans Chatin and Hansson
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Era Motorsport has announced the team’s driver lineup that will compete in the Rolex 24 At Daytona next month as well as for the full 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season in the Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) class.
Ryan Dalziel returns in the No. 18 ORECA LMP2 07in a full-season role alongside co-driver Tobias Lutke, who will make his series debut. Paul-Loup Chatin and David Heinemeier Hansson join the lineup at Daytona, where Era seeks to defend its 2024 class victory.
Dalziel will be sharing the car with Chatin for the first time since the pair stood victorious at the 2021 Rolex 24 with co-drivers Kyle Tilley and Dwight Merriman.
“This will be my fifth Rolex 24 at Daytona with Era,” said Dalziel. “After winning twice during that time, we are for sure going in full of confidence. At the same time, LMP2’s depth of talented teams and drivers has grown massively over those years, so we know we have to step up from 2024 and keep pushing for that third win together.”
“I’m really looking forward to seeing Tobi against the other Bronzes, and it’s great to be reunited with my old Patron teammate DHH (Hansson) and Paul-Loup, who was part of our 2021 winning lineup. Let’s go!”
Chatin is equally excited at the opportunity to rejoin Dalziel in the car.
“I am super happy to join back Era Motorsport for my fourth Rolex 24 At Daytona,” he said. “Era achieved some amazing success in the past few years, and with my teammates, we will give everything to fight for the top.”
Bronze-rated driver Lutke will be moving from Le Mans Prototype 3 (LMP3) competition in the HSR Prototype Challenge to LMP2 with Era in 2025. With experience in Radicals and Touring Cars as well, Lutke looks to get up to speed quickly.
“I’m going to be honest, throwing prototypes around storied tracks with David, Era and team was not on my 2025 bingo card,” he said. “But that’s exactly what we are doing. … Let’s go, can’t wait!”
Hansson, the final driver in the Rolex 24 lineup, was the GTE Am class champion at the 2014 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“Two worlds are merging for me in 2025,” Hansson said. “Driving together with Tobi, whom I’ve known and worked with for 20 years through Ruby on Rails, is going to be a delight. Two programmers, one car! This is going to be great. Especially with Era running the show and us teaming up with my old teammate Ryan Dalziel for the Rolex 24. Can’t wait to roll out.”
Team owner Tilley is excited to embark on a new adventure with the LMP2 team this year as well.
“Next year is shaping up to be a big year for us,” he said. “I’m very excited to see what Tobi can do. We were all blown away by his speed at the test a few weeks ago. Considering it was his first time in an LMP2, it certainly bodes well for the season. We have done a fair bit of restructuring over the winter to manage our multiple programs, and I can’t wait to see it all come to fruition.”
Rolex 24 At Daytona week is set for Jan. 22-26 at Daytona International Speedway. It will be preceded Jan. 17-19 by the Roar Before the Rolex 24 test sessions.