Two-time IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship champion Pipo Derani will join DXDT Racing for the 2025 Rolex 24 At Daytona, completing the team’s line-up in the No. 36 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R. Derani, an overall Daytona winner in 2016, joins the team after trying the car at IMSA’s November Daytona test (pictured above).
After a stint at Patron Extreme Speed Motorsports, Derani has spent the last few years with Action Express Racing, winning a DPi championship for Cadillac in 2021 and the inaugural new-era GTP title in 2023. The Brazilian will be absent from full-time IMSA Racing in 2025 as he prepares to develop the new Genesis LMDh car that will make its FIA World Endurance Championship in 2026 and a year later in IMSA.
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“I am excited to join DXDT,” Derani said. “[Team manager] Erin Gahagan and I worked together many years ago at Patron ESM and I have a huge respect for the work she does. DXDT had so much success last year and has a very promising and exciting new chapter in IMSA starting in 2025. I hope that by joining them for Daytona I can contribute to their IMSA success.
“I would also like to thank the fact that Genesis Magma Racing allowed me to join DXDT for this race as it’s a great way to kick off the year and stay sharp and race ready. I tested the car in early December and have enjoyed my time behind the wheel so it made sense to accept DXDT’s invitation for Daytona and to work with Erin again.”
Derani joins Salih Yoluc, Charlie Eastwood, and Alec Udell in the No. 36 Corvette as DXDT makes its debut in the WeatherTech Championship in a two-part GTD program that will have Yoluc, Eastwood and Udell campaigning the Michelin Endurance Cup, while Robert Wickens and a driver to be named will contest the sprint races.
Team owner David Askew is looking forward to having Derani with the team next month.
“Pipo is a great addition to our team for the Rolex 24,” Askew said. “He’s a proven winner at this race and in this series, so he knows how to get the job done. He was a great help to us at the test back in November, and after watching him race and win in endurance races for the last decade, I know he has that special something to help us win this race. I can’t wait to see him in the car in January!”
DXDT is making its first foray into IMSA competition after years of success in Fanatec GT World Challenge America. The 63rd Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 23-26 will be the team’s first WeatherTech Championship race.