Gentilozzi, Rocketsports to Rolex 24

Lansing, Mich. - Following a five-year hiatus, two-time Trans-Am champion Paul Gentilozzi will again compete in the Rolex 24 at Daytona endurance classic at Daytona International Speedway on February 3-4. Gentilozzi, who won the overall 1994 Rolex 24 race driving a Nissan 300ZX GTS class car, last raced in the Rolex 24 in 1995 driving a Ferrari 333 SP World Sport Car.

Rocketsports Racing will enter a Saleen S7R in the GT class. Gentilozzi will participate in the pre-event January test days January 4-6 at the Speedway. Fellow Trans-Am driver Johnny Miller will co-drive with Gentilozzi and will also attend the test session. Additional co-drivers will be announced at a later date.

"We've considered ourselves as innovative racers at Rocketsports," explained Gentilozzi, who ranks first in all-time Trans-Am top-five finishes, "Fast Five" qualifying efforts, and race starts. "The chance to compete in the crown jewel of endurance racing in a truly innovative race car was too much of a temptation to pass up.

"The Saleen S7R has set a new standard for its class and certainly has the potential to win," continued Gentilozzi, who has 19 Trans-Am wins. "We intend to be part of that first victory."

Gentilozzi speculated on what it would take to collect his second win at the Rolex 24. "To finish first, first you must finish," Gentilozzi mused. "The Rolex 24 is really more of an endurance contest than a race. You don't win this one in the first hour. You've got to discipline yourself and your teammates to be patient and protect the equipment...let the other teams and drivers make the mistakes and be in a position to capitalize on them."

According to Gentilozzi, a second win in the Rolex 24 would be even sweeter. "As a driver, you receive a tremendous amount of respect for meeting and beating the challenge of Daytona," revealed Gentilozzi. "One victory here is more than thousands of drivers ever accomplish, but two wins here puts you in a very special position."

In addition to running in the Rolex 24, Gentilozzi will again compete in the entire Trans-Am Series which begins on March 16th during the prestigious 12 Hours of Sebring weekend.