Photo: Risi

Risi Competizione has completed the Roar Before the 24 with a two car team. The Houston based Ferrari squad ran Ferrari 488s in both the GTLM and GTD classes during the pre-Rolex 24 at Daytona test.

Factory Ferrari driver Alessandro Pier Guidi did all the driving duties for the #62 GTLM entry. For the Rolex 24 at Daytona they will be joined by Toni Vilander and James Calado. Risi are confident in the ability and experience of Vilander and Calado and did not require them at the track for testing.

“We had a very productive test. We only brought one driver for the No. 62 Ferrari so we could get continuous work done.” said Rick Mayer, Risi Race Engineer. “The other drivers know the track well, and all have a common driving style, so it wasn’t a big deal”

“We tried several things that were on our to-do list. We found some things that worked and some things that didn’t, and I think we’re going to have a good car for the race.”

Photo: Risi

GTD 488

Risi are running the GTD (GT3) version of the 488 at Daytona, alongside the traditional GTLM entry. Ricardo Perez, Martin Fuentes, and Santiago Creel are boosted by the inclusion of Ferrari factory driver Miguel Molina. Molina is a Daytona novice, but adapted to Daytona well.

“I think it was really good to be here for the test because, personally for me, it
was my first time here at Daytona, so it was good to have some mileage here.” said Molina. “It was a productive test here with the teammates and engineers so in that respect
it was good.”

theRACINGLINE.net comment

Risi are back! Unfortunately the full season plans are still unconfirmed. It appears as though they’ll make the Sebring 12 Hours, and perhaps Watkins Glen and Petit Le Mans as well, but nothing concrete just yet.

As the only Ferrari running team in the IMSA GTLM class, you’d expect them to get a bit more support from Ferrari than what they appear to get. The GTD entry is obviously a financial decision, being run for a trio of drivers.

Hopefully the GTD entry can secure more running for the GTLM car too – it’d be sad to lose Risi from the grid. It’s always fun seeing a privateer team hassling factory GT cars.

Engineering student, lover of all things technical and lifelong motorsport fan. Employed in the Oil & Gas Industry, developing Major Emergency Management simulations. Owner of the best beard on the site.