A top 5 start for the Team TGM Aston Martin at the Rolex 24 this weekend
Monday, January 23, 2023
The team came to Daytona with a new No. 64 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 run by FIA World Endurance Championship title winners, TF Sport. In a packed field with some of the top GT drivers on the planet, Team TGM impressed in its weekend debut with the Aston Martin – topping the timesheet in two practice sessions, one with Owen Trinkler and the other with Hugh Plumb at the wheel.
With Owen Trinkler at the wheel, the No. 64 entry stopped the clocks at one minute, 48.081 seconds around the 3.81 mile circuit.
“This qualifying result is a credit to the tremendous efforts of TF Sport. The crew has given us a fast car which Owen was able to turn into a great qualifying lap,” Giovanis said.
“TF Sport brought the same professionalism and knowledge of the Aston Martin to Daytona that won them the WEC Championship for 2022. We are thrilled to be partnered with them for this event.
Trinkler, who usually leaves qualifying to team boss Giovanis as the rules require in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, was super quick in a field where fractions of second made a big difference.
“I put in my best lap about halfway through the 15 minute session and a couple people snuck in there at the very end with some hot laps, but I’m very happy with the fifth place,” Trinkler said
“It’s all about next week and although we always want to do well in qualifying, anyone will tell you with a 24 hour race there are so many more important aspects to success. We used the qualifying session to work on some things for the Rolex 24 and ensure that we are as prepared for the race as possible.
The team will be doing double duty with a full 28 hours of racing over Friday, Saturday and Sunday next week. They will compete in the season opener for the Michelin Pilot Challenge, a 4-hour endurance race on Friday before the 24 hour race on Saturday and Sunday.
Source material - TGM
Photo credits - D Gibson / H Pitman