Audi factory asset Marco Bonanomi has been drafted into PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports' driver lineup for the Austin round of the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship, in place of Tom Kimber-Smith.
The Italian, who claimed a Le Mans podium in 2012 with the Audi LMP1 team, will join José Gutierrez behind the wheel of the team's Ligier JSP217-Gibson for the 160 minute contest at Circuit of the Americas on May 7th.
It is understood Kimber-Smith is skipping the fourth round of the championship to be with his mother, who is battling cancer.
"Tom will unfortunately miss the next race at Circuit of the Americas," explained team principal Bobby Oergel.
"He needs to be able to spend time back in the UK with his mother who is presently undergoing treatment for cancer."
“As all the drivers who have driven with PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports know, once you’re a part of our team, you’re family, and Tom is a big part of this family."
"It’s unfortunate that he will miss a round of the championship, but we know that family comes before racing, and we’re happy that he is able to take the time he needs to be with his family during this time.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Tom and his mother, and we are praying that she will be cancer free in the near future.”
Former Audi LMP1 driver Bonanomi has been named as Kimber-Smith's replacement, having tested the Ligier at COTA two weeks ago.
The 32-year-old is set to make his IMSA debut in Texas, having raced previously for the Audi Sport LMP1 squad and ISR Racing in the Blancpain GT Series.
Bonanomi is still a contracted works driver for the German company, and last year represented customer outfit Aust Motorsport in the German ADAC Masters championship.
“I was very happy to receive the call from PR1 to drive at their test at COTA," said Bonanomi.
"It was my first time driving the Ligier, but I think the test was very positive."
“We tested some set up changes for the race that I think will be very good. The track itself is very demanding on the car and tires, especially with the extreme temperatures that can be present. The first practices during race week will be very critical to get everything just right in terms of set up, but after the test, I think we should be pretty close.”
“I’m very happy to join PR1 and drive with José. It was a pleasure working with the team at the test, and I found that José was very quick in the car. I’m looking forward to returning to COTA and to race there next weekend.”
PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports is one of twelve Prototype teams expected to travel to Austin next week.
The Fresno, California-based outfit has finished in the top ten at each of the first three races in 2017, capped by a fifth place result for Kimber-Smith and Will Owen during the most recent round at Long Beach.
