Johnny Mowlem joins Orbit Racing for Daytona 24H

MOWLEM, ORBIT JOIN FORCES FOR 2010 RUNNING OF ROLEX 24

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 6, 2009) - British sportscar ace, Johnny Mowlem has inked a deal to race with the Orbit Racing Team in the 2010 Rolex 24 at Daytona. It's a case of winners reuniting, as Mowlem won the GT class of the famed endurance race in 2004 at the wheel of an Orbit entry.

The team will be in Daytona for a test this week.

"This is a tremendous opportunity to win the race again," Mowlem said, with a broad smile. "We've been successful together before and I know from first-hand experience Orbit's level of preparation. (Orbit team owner) Rodger Hawley and I have always kept in touch and he spoke to me as early as September last year saying that he may have something for us to go and win another Rolex! Now the deal's just been put together and I'm very pleased."

Mowlem has nine starts in the Rolex 24. He has won the big race once, finished on the podium three times and posted five top-10 finishes. Mowlem's co-drivers this year will be Tom Papadopoulos and Daytona veteran Lance Willsey.

"I've actually raced for Tom in his Aston Martin team in 2006, and he is an extremely underrated driver, as quick as some professionals that I've driven with! I've also driven with Lance at Daytona before and he is a great asset to any team, quick and safe." Mowlem said. "I'm excited to get to work with them and Rodger and all the Orbit lads. Daytona is a special place to race, with all of its history. I want to try and make some more history this month!"

Mowlem's 2004 victory in the Rolex 24 remains one of the most talked about drives in the long history of the event, as he beat Mike Rockenfeller by 6.9 seconds in a thrilling finish.

"We had a lot of rain during that race," Mowlem recalled. "That was especially true of the night hours. Then the sun came out and we had an all-out sprint to the finish, running on slicks on a damp track! That's what makes winning this race so special, you simply never know what's going to happen next and a victory is hard-earned."

Johnny Mowlem is among the most experienced road racers in the world. He has raced and won on several continents. Respected by the international media, Mowlem annually hosts a television mini-series that gives viewers on British network Sky Sports an inside look at racing's highest levels.

-source: www.johnnymowlem.com.