AO Racing has switched their #77 Porsche 911 GT3.R into the GTD category in order to compete in the IMSA Long Beach sprint race on 12 April.
The fan-favourite ‘Rexy’ is switching from its usual GTD Pro endeavour and back into the GTD class to compete in the third IMSA SportsCar Championship round.
GTP and GTD are the only categories competing in the first sprint event of the year following the 24 Hours of Daytona and more recently, the 12 Hours of Sebring on 15 March.
Laurens Vanthoor, the reigning WEC Hypercar champion – and part of the Daytona– and Sebring-winning #7 Porsche 963 crew – has partnered with Jonny Edgar who co-drives the ‘Spike the Dragon’ #99 Oreca 07 LMP2.
Full-season drivers Laurin Heinrich and Klaus Bachler will be at the GT World Challenge Europe season-opener at Paul Ricard taking place on the same weekend.
“I’m really looking forward to driving the famous Rexy car,” said Vanthoor.
“The Grand Prix of Long Beach is one of my favourite events on the IMSA calendar.
“It’s always a great atmosphere and the whole event just feels special.
“I know some of the AO Racing guys from the Porsche RSR program, and I can’t wait to get to know the rest of the team.
“Hopefully, we have a strong weekend.”
“I’m really looking forward to racing at Long Beach with Rexy,” added Edgar who has already conducted testing in the Porsche.
“I’m really excited to race a Porsche for the first time and for my first time at Long Beach.
“It’s a very exciting event, and I think it’d be really cool to share the car with Laurens as well.
“I think we have a really good chance at winning the race.”
READ MORE: Laurin Heinrich recalls fuel-saving fight with BMW to Sebring win
