Pure Racing with Cameron Cassels
DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 14, 2017) – Driver Cameron Cassels will join Performance Tech Motorsports 2018 IMSA Prototype Challenge Presented by Mazda lineup in a Ligier P3.
Cassels, of Alberta, Canada, joins Performance Tech after competing in IMSA’s Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge series. Cassels finished second in the 2017 GS Points Championship, a step up after finishing third in 2016. His fight to the front of competition included a win at Daytona International Speedway and podium finishes at Circuit of the Americas and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
Cassels will look to continue his success in prototype racing. Before taking on a Porsche in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge series, he spent time behind the wheel of a radical. However, Cassels look to build most of his prototype experience this year. A challenge he is excited to begin.
“Driving a pure race car with no driver aids and a tremendous level of grip is ultimately what has me interested,” Cassels said. “With the change to increase the race duration, it was the final push to go in this direction. I’m excited to get this season underway with the Performance Tech team.
“Driving the P3 at all the tracks on the 2018 schedule will be amazing. If I had to pick a track I’m most excited about; I would have to say that I am really looking forward to VIRginia International Raceway. The track is already a high-speed track with a GT car; adding significant downforce to a car will only add to the excitement of VIR.”
The IMSA Prototype Challenge series takes on a new endurance format in 2018 replacing the former 45-minute sprint races. The race weekend will feature practices alongside a one hour and 45-minute race. Cassels will be well suited for the longer race with the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge series also hosting endurance races. His familiarity to long, rigorous stint should give Cassels an advantage as a series rookie.
“I think having experience in the Continental Tire SportsCar series, as well as a few other endurance events, will surely help. I’m sure we will see a strong lineup of drivers and teams this year that will make for some great battles. I look forward to the competition.”
Performance Tech Team Principal Brent O’Neill looks forward to having Cassels in a P3 next year with hopes of adding another champion to the team. O’Neill met Cassels through mutual friend and now teammate Dr. Robert Masson. Conversations led to contracts and goals being laid out, just in time for testing.
“I met him at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park this year, and he’s a really great guy,” O’Neill said. “You can tell he’s someone who will fit in with our team. We’re all looking forward to working with him. He likes our family atmosphere. Most of my guys have been with me for a while, and my wife and daughter come to the races. He felt welcomed under our tent which was a different feel compare to other teams. He has a large family himself, so I think he gravitated to us because of that.
“He’d been doing the Continental Tire series when we met, and he had asked about testing the P3 with us. At the first test, he was quick right away and immediately comfortable in the car. I think he definitely has some talent to go from a GT car to a Prototype and be up to speed. We have some test days planned to make sure he’s prepared for the Roar. He’ll compete in the championship as a single driver, so we’re focused on getting him prepared.”
The IMSA Prototype Challenge Presented by Mazda series opening weekend is at Daytona International Speedway Jan. 5-7. The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series will host its annual test, Roar Before the 24, the same weekend. The lone prototype race will entertain between test sessions. For more information on the IMSA Prototype Challenge series or to view the 2018 schedule visit prototypechallenge.imsa.com.