THE WHELEN ENGINEERING CORVETTE DP SEEKING A VICTORY IN NORTH AMERICA’S LONGEST RUNNING ENDURANCE EVENT

SEBRING, Fla. (14 March 2016) – Entering the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in 2015, Dane Cameron and Eric Curran were still being viewed as newcomers to the prototype class, despite the season not being the first season of competition in IMSA’s top-division for either driver. After contending for the 2015 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship through the closing moments of Petit Le Mans, the red and white Whelen Engineering DP is squarely on the radar entering this year’s 12-hour battle.

Cameron and Curran will also have Scott Pruett joining them for the 64th installment of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. Pruett claimed an overall victory at Sebring in 2014 the California native also scored a class victory (GTO) in 1986.

The three drivers showed great speed during the two-day test at Sebring International Raceway, leading the first session while finishing second in another session. Following the strong test, two-time Sebring fastest qualifier (GTD-2014, PC-2011) Dane Cameron talked about the race outlook.

“Racing with Scott Pruett as a co-driver is really cool,” said Dane Cameron. “Scott is probably the winningest sports car driver in North America and he’s a worldwide name when it comes to endurance competition. The experience he brings to the table is really beneficial when we’re having a debrief and trying to find a tenth of a second, he’s raced so many different cars and for different teams so there’s always a different thought process or suggestion and it’s usually right. I think for Eric and myself to be able to lean on Scott throughout race weekend will be a major advantage preparing for and competing in this year’s race.”

Last season, Action Express Racing dominated the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, ultimately winning with the No. 5 Mustang Sampling Corvette DP. However, for the races opening hours, it appeared that there would be a duel between the team cars for the victory. However, the Whelen Engineering Corvette DP lost a wheel following a pit stop, knocking the team from the lead lap and they were never able to recover, settling for a fifth place finish.

“Obviously we had the loose wheel last year and that really cost us a shot at the podium,” said Curran. “Throughout 2015 our pit crew became one of, if not the fastest crews on pit lane and that certainly helped us score two victories and compete for the championship. Chad (Gordon) and all of the guys preparing the Whelen Engineering Corvette DP have been flawless and are among the fastest crews in IMSA so with that level of excellence there’s no reason we cant win the race this year.

“Action Express Racing is one of the best teams at setting up a car for the event as evident by last year and at the test we were all fast and comfortable. The first race I ever did for Whelen Engineering was at Sebring in 2007 and I was able to win that first time out. So personally, Sebring is a very special place.”

Before arriving at the Sebring International Raceway, Curran will make a stop in Tampa to record an interview with WFTS ABC 28 previewing the race.

The 64th annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring gets underway on Saturday, March 19 at 10:40 a.m. ET and will be shown on FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports 2 and IMSA.com, follow Action Express Racing on Facebook and Twitter for updates on coverage shifts throughout the event.