Performance Tech Motorsports Rings In 2022 with Rolex 24 at Daytona Lineup

Performance Tech Motorsports welcomes a new driver lineup for the Rolex 24 at Daytona featuring Dan Goldburg, Hikaru Abe, Nico Pino, and Garett Grist.

For the 60th running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the No. 38 Ligier JSP320 will run in its signature red, black and chrome livery with one familiar face, Goldburg, and three new ones, Abe, Pino, and Grist, behind the wheel. The Rolex 24 at Daytona serves as one of the most diverse fields in motorsports; Performance Tech Motorsports is excited to bring four different nationalities to the grid, each providing a unique set of skills that complement one another.  

Team Principal Brent O’Neill has worked tirelessly to find four drivers that mesh for optimal success at the World Center of Racing.

“This is a really great group of guys,” O’Neill said. “This team knows what it takes to win a Rolex 24 and with such strong drivers, I think we have a really strong shot at a run for the top step this year. We’ve tested all of these drivers and I’m really impressed by what they bring to the table, I’m eager to get them all together for the Roar to see what we can get out of our Ligier.”

Drivers Goldburg and Grist are no strangers to the North American endurance circuit, having both driven in it during the 2021 IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Season. Team veteran Goldburg has over a hundred hours of seat time logged in the No. 38 between endurance racing, sprint racing, and testing, making him an invaluable member of the teams’ podium crusade. Grist has extensive prototype racing in his background, most recently in the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

In true fashion, Performance Tech Motorsports is welcoming another young gun under the tent for the event with 17-year-old Pino. He’ll be traveling from Chile while teammate Abe will be flying in from Japan, marking the No. 38 as one of the most diverse cars on the grid. Together, they will make their North America endurance racing debut with a goal to clinch a podium position for the 60th running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

This news comes in advance of the team’s first official outing of 2022, the Roar Before the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway. The quartet is set to make its 2022 debut on Friday, January 21. The event will be open to the public as it features the second annual Motul Pole Award 100, the 100-minute qualifying race for the Rolex 24 at Daytona. For schedule details and ticket sales visit https://www.imsa.com/events/2022-roar-before-the-rolex-24/.

QUOTE BOARD

Dan Goldburg, Driver of the No. 38 Ligier JSP320

“To some degree, I think you can only prepare so much and then you just have to do a Rolex 24 and learn from it,” Goldburg said. “I've taken my physical training very seriously for the past two years and I'm in the best shape of my life. I still have further goals to reach with my fitness, but in 2021 the team had me do 3+ hour stints in the 12 Hours of Sebring and the Petit Le Mans. I was much more prepared for that long stint at the Petit vs. Sebring which might have been my fitness, or maybe the prior experience.  Either way, I believe I've put in the time to be able to tackle the approx. five hours I'll likely drive in the Rolex 24.”

“In terms of mental prep, this past year running the endurance races has definitely been the most important prep work. In addition, being under the Performance Tech tent for around six or seven prior Rolex 24s as a spectator has been a valuable experience.  I've always had a team radio and listened to how the team runs the race.  Even though I haven't run a 24 yet, I think all of that experience makes me pretty well prepared. Now, I just have to go do it!”

There is always one goal; win. The Performance Tech team and I have been working great together for the past two years. I’m very excited for the 2022 season, to bring together everything that Brent, Nathan, and the rest of the crew have been working on. For the race, we worked hard to put together a great lineup. I’m very excited to work with Garett, Nico, and Hikaru.”

Garett Grist, Driver of the No. 38 Ligier JSP320

“I’m really looking forward to joining Performance Tech for the 2022 24 Hours of Daytona,” Grist said. “They’re a team that has had a lot of success in IMSA over the years. Having done Le Mans and Daytona before hopefully, I can bring some of the things I’ve learned to the team. I think we have a great lineup to compete for a win. I want to thank Brent, Dan, and Ligier for this opportunity.”

Nico Pino, Driver of the No. 38 Ligier JSP320

“I raced in ELMS the last races of the season so I believe we will be good and ready to fight,” Pino said. “Physically and mentally, I know that this race will be very challenging and demanding so I am training daily and getting myself ready for it. Also, I believe with the support of Performance Tech we can succeed and be strong”

“For me, this is the biggest challenge of my career so far. The Rolex 24 at Daytona is one of the biggest races in the world and to have the chance to race there is unique and a dream that I always had since I was a kid. Realistically speaking I believe if we do not do mistakes, stay out of trouble and be consistent during the race we can be a strong candidates for the top positions. But again, it is a very long and tricky race, so we need to be smart and calm during the entire race. I can´t wait to get to the US and start this amazing adventure.”

Hikaru Abe, Driver of the No. 38 Ligier JSP320

“I had a very productive test with Performance Tech Motorsports after Thanksgiving, and immediately felt there was a good vibe and synergy with the team,” Abe said. “I was able to get good driving advice from my manager Roger Yasukawa who I have known for many years and helped me to align this deal. In order to prepare for this race, I have done many test days in Japan in various formula cars as well as numerous karting days when time allowed. I’ve also worked on suitable nutrition to improve my body condition. I can say that I am at the best form of my career right now ready to tackle the Roar and the Rolex 24. The goal for the race is to win of course! With my good friend Kamui Kobayashi going for the three-peat, I am hoping that we can both capture the class wins respectively.”