DXDT – Syndication Server

IMSA Daytona test concludes with progress from new and improved GTD entries

Van der Steur Racing is no stranger to the IMSA paddock, with a presence dating some twenty years. Most recently, the team founded by former racer Gunnar van der Steur has competed in the Grand Sport (GS) class of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. …

Van der Steur Racing is no stranger to the IMSA paddock, with a presence dating some twenty years.

Most recently, the team founded by former racer Gunnar van der Steur has competed in the Grand Sport (GS) class of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. For 2025, VDSR will move to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship side of the paddock as it steps up to campaign the No. 19 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo in the Grand Touring Daytona (GTD) class.

They’ll compete in all five IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup events, and possibly select sprint races as well, with drivers Rory van der Steur and Valentin Hasse-Clot.

Van der Steur Racing is making maximum use of the resources that Aston Martin Racing and its partner Prodrive have to offer in terms of technical and engineering support. Hasse-Clot is an Aston Martin factory driver who teamed with Rory van der Steur to finish fourth or better in four of the five Michelin Pilot Challenge races they ran together in 2024 in van der Steur’s Aston Martin Vantage GT4.

His best result of the season was achieved in the sprint race at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, where he teamed with Scott Andrews for a second-place finish.

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The No. 19 Aston Martin missed the Saturday morning session of the three-day IMSA-sanctioned test, but got up to speed quickly, with Hasse-Clot setting the third quickest GTD time in the Saturday night session.

Maxime Robin, van der Steur, Eric Filgueiras and Brady Behrman also ran laps in the car over the course of the weekend, with Robin running P3 in the first Sunday session. The team’s full 2025 driver lineup has not been finalized.

“It’s obviously a huge move for the team, and for my teammate Rory, who is discovering everything about GT3,” commented Hasse-Clot during the test. “They made the right decision by hiring people from the Aston Martin Racing (AMR) factory, so it’s going to be a smooth transition, I think. We’re all here to support them in this move.

“I’m feeling good,” he continued. “I’m very familiar with the car and the mechanics and engineers and everyone around the team. Saturday was our first roll-out with the car and with the IMSA systems on board the car, and we’ve sorted everything. All positive!”

Fast start for Iron Dames Porsche

While there were other highlights, a sixth-place GTD class finish in the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona remained the best result of the 2024 season for the all-female Iron Dames program in the No. 83 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2.

For 2025, the pink Iron Dames livery and the No. 83 stay the same, but the driver lineup is evolving and the team has opted to trade the Lamborghini for a Porsche 911 GT3 R (992). It’s a homecoming of sorts, because Rahel Frey, Michelle Gatting and Sarah Bovy drove a similar Porsche to a historic first all-female win at the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship finale in Bahrain.

“Clearly we had a difficult year in 2024, so we chose to look for more reliability, for more consistency, and we found a partner within Porsche,” said Frey. “We already had some experience with that brand in Europe and thought it would be a nice idea to also make the move to Porsche for IMSA in 2025. We very much look forward to that.”

The 2025 Iron Dames WeatherTech Championship lineup is yet to be announced, but Frey was in the car for the test along with Karen Gaillard and team co-owner Claudio Schiavoni. Matteo Cressoni, a driver and engineering advisor for the related Iron Lynx organization, also drove the No. 83 Porsche at Daytona and set the second fastest GTD time of the week on Sunday afternoon.

Frey was pleased coming off her track time at Daytona.

“Whenever we jump in the car it gives us a smile, so we love the car very much,” she said. “The test for us was very positive, so I can’t wait to get it started in January.”

New horizons for DXDT

DXDT Racing has plenty of experience with the Corvette Z06 GT3.R. The North Carolina-based team was the first to earn a major victory with the new-for-2024 GT3 version of the iconic American sports car.

This year, DXDT is tackling a new challenge by competing full-time in the WeatherTech Championship’s GTD class. With the 2025 driver lineup not yet announced, those at the test sharing seat time in the No. 36 Corvette were Alec Udell – who competed with the team this past season in GT World Challenge America – Salih Yoluc, Corvette factory driver Charlie Eastwood, and two-time IMSA champion and GM driver Pipo Derani.

Udell is looking forward to his first full season in the WeatherTech Championship.

“IMSA has the highest competition in the U.S. for any form of sports car racing,” he said. “The level of operations, the team strategy and all the execution … you have to be perfect. There’s no wiggle room with the packed fields. The events bring in a ton of fans and are really a show. It’s a fantastic place to race.

“We’ve had the goal of getting everything to gel together and building momentum to grow this program,” he added. “The focus was always to build up to the IMSA championship.”

The DXDT Corvette completed 343 laps over the course of two days at Daytona.

“Everything is coming together smoothly,” Udell reported. “We’re bringing a lot of talented minds together and I think that’s what it takes to have a successful program.”

The 2025 WeatherTech Championship season opens with the annual Roar Before the Rolex 24, January 17-19, leading into the Rolex 24 At Daytona, January 23-26.

RESULTS

DXDT to become second Corvette team in IMSA GTD for 2025

Longtime Fanatec GT World Challenge America competitor DXDT Racing is joining the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD class in 2025. The team will continue its relationship with Chevrolet and Corvette as part of the customer racing program, …

Team owner David Askew has long desired to take on endurance racing, and the team has been positioning itself for such a campaign, including becoming one of the first customer teams to campaign the Z06 GT3.R and recently bringing on driver Bryan Sellers as program manager.

“I’m really excited to take what is a big step for DXDT to compete in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in GTD next year,” Askew said. “I began racing and working on building this team with the idea of eventually getting to IMSA, and everything that I’ve been doing over the past 10 years has been designed to help me achieve that goal.

“Erin Gahagan as the team manager has been instrumental in helping make this happen, and with the addition of Bryan Sellers to our front office, I think that we now have the right footing to take this step.”

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DXDT won every race it entered in the GT World Challenge America Pro category in 2024 with Alec Udell and Tommy Milner driving, up until the Indy 8 Hour – eight in all – and claimed the first worldwide win for the Corvette Z06 GT3.R. Sellers and Bryson Morris also took a pair of victories in the Pro-Am category.

“The relationship that we’ve been building with GM and Pratt Miller is a big part of what we needed to compete successfully at the highest level. What we’ve done this year has shown us that, together, we can fight for podiums and wins anywhere we go. I’m looking forward to many years racing in the IMSA WeatherTech series. This is a huge turning point for the team, I can’t wait to see what happens in the future,” Askew added.

Sellers, who has been driving for the team for several years before recently coming on board full-time as program manager, has won two championships in IMSA’s GTD class with Paul Miller Racing. While there wasn’t any indication that he would be part of the GTD driver lineup other than his statement that his new position would “allow him to continue driving at a high level,” Sellers echoed Askew’s comments.

“This is a very exciting time for everybody at DXDT Racing,” he said. “This is something that David [Askew] has aspired to do for quite a long time, and it’s something that we are all very much looking forward to getting the opportunity to do.

PrattMiller will have a stablemate to contend with at last. Jake Galstad/Motorsport Images

“We’ve been trying to put this program together for a couple of years now and have just been waiting for the right time and the right partnership. Being able to pair with GM and Pratt Miller has given us the ability to move into this new program with confidence in what we’re capable of, while also being able to rely on their capabilities as well. We’re all very excited about the opportunity to grow the program in one of the best sports car racing series in the world.”

DXDT will be joining Corvette’s storied history at the top level of American sports car racing. The marque, which began racing as a factory effort in 1999 before launching the customer program in 2024 with its first GT3 car, has won 14 IMSA manufacturer titles and captured 115 class victories in its 26 years.

“We are thrilled to see multiple Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs in IMSA’s GTD class for 2025,” said Mark Stielow, director, Chevrolet Motorsports Competition Engineering. “DXDT Racing proved itself this year in GT World Challenge with double-digit victories across the Pro and Pro-Am classes in the first year with our Corvette GT3. We’re proud to support David Askew and DXDT Racing as they continue pursuing their goals in becoming a well-established and successful team across multiple series in sports car racing.”

The team will announce its driver lineup for the GTD effort at a later date.

DXDT Corvette sweeps GTWC weekend at Road America

All in all, it was a picture perfect Sunday for DXDT Racing in the Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS championship at Road America, the team scoring both wins in the Pro and Pro-Am classes, in addition to securing a 1-2 finish …

Pro

There was an immediate change for the Pro class lead as Elliott Skeer in the No. 120 Wright Motorsports Porsche 992 GT3 R charged past the No. 63 DXDT Racing Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R of Tommy Milner into Turn 1.

Milner remained within close proximity over the course of his stint, not allowing Skeer to pull a gap. As the two made a trip down pit lane near the halfway mark to perform driver changes, the battle was reignited as Adam Adelson took hold of the Porsche, with Alec Udell jumping in the Corvette.

The advantage swung in DXDT Racing’s direction as they returned to the track for the second half of the race, with Udell further aided by Pro-Am class traffic coming into play, serving as a buffer to keep Adelson at bay. As soon as he had a clear track ahead of him, he set off and continued to build his gap over the rest of the field.

Udell went on to take the checkered flag, clinching an impressive sixth consecutive win for the team. They were in a league of their own at the National Park of Speed, sweeping the weekend once again. Wright Motorsports concluded their time at Road America with a second-place finish, with Luca Mars and Zach Veach returning to the podium thanks to a strong drive in the No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports Acura NSX GT3 EVO22.

“With the limited dry running time this week due to the weather, I’m really happy to be on the podium,” said Udell. “The Corvette performed beautifully at Road America, and I’m thrilled with the platform. Tommy had a great first stint, though he might have gotten caught in some traffic and dirty air. We had a bit of a battle with Adam (Adelson), who drove really well in the opening laps of his stint. There was some congestion as cars were coming out of the pit lane, but we were able to take advantage and run cleanly to the finish. I’m really happy for Bryson and Bryan as well; it was fantastic to see their car up front. Overall, it was a great team effort.”

Pro-Am

Robby Foley had a strong start, leading the pack as he started from the overall pole position in his No. 29 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT3. The fight for the remaining podium positions was taking place further behind, with Tom Sargent, Bryan Sellers, and Neil Verhagen running in sequence.

As Justin Rothberg took over from Foley, he cleared the way for the Pro class fight that was shaping up around him, focusing on his own race. However, heartbreak followed as he suffered front tire damage, forcing him to limp all the way back to pit lane as he tumbled down the order.

There were shakeups on the leaderboard as pit stops were completed, with multiple cars exiting pit lane simultaneously. Bryson Morris went on the attack in the No. 08 DXDT Racing Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, moving himself into the class lead and second overall. Samantha Tan had a strong hold over second in class in her No. 38 ST Racing BMW M4 GT3 as she sat fourth overall on the leaderboard.

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Further behind, Phillip Ellis was on the charge in the No. 91 Regulator Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3, closing in on the final podium position in the last five minutes. Elias Sabo put up a great fight, defending in his No. 8 Flying Lizard Motorsports BMW M4 GT3 in an attempt to hold his place, but nevertheless Ellis found a way to sweep past him.

In his debut weekend in the championship, Morris crossed the finish line to claim his maiden win in the series, earning DXDT Racing’s first Pro-Am win as well. After a difficult first race, ST Racing was back in podium position, while Regulator Racing made the alternate strategy work in their favor again as Ellis and Jeff Burton wrapped up their weekend in Wisconsin with a third-place finish.

“It was a pretty tough stint, but luckily Bryan Sellers got me out in the lead,” said Morris. “I just had to pass one car and was able to hold onto the position from there. Huge thanks to everyone at DXDT Racing, my manager, and the entire team—couldn’t have done it without them. I was definitely aware of the gaps closing at times and knew Samantha was quick and determined, but we managed to hold on and take the win. I’m incredibly grateful for that.”

In the Am class, it was the No. 163 AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 who came out on top.

“I am so glad to be back with AF Corse,” said Oswaldo Negri “I am branded in Ferrari at 60 years old; what else can I ask for? I thought I was going to be a little bit rusty, but it’s just like riding a bike.”

The Fanatec GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS field will return for rounds 11 and 12 at Barber Motorsports Park from September 6th to 8th.

RESULTS

DXDT crew racks up another GTWC win at Road America

Saturday’s first race in the Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS championship saw intense battles, strategy gambles, and full course yellows come into play as the weather luckily cooperated during the 90-minute event. DXDT Racing’s …

DXDT Racing’s Alec Udell and Tommy Milner displayed their prowess in the Pro class, adding another overall victory to their running tally. In Pro-Am, Justin Rothberg and Robby Foley overcame challenges and clawed their way to the top spot.

Pro

Contact on the first lap between Bill Auberlen in the No. 28 ST Racing BMW M4 GT3 and Madison Snow in the No. 99 Random Vandals Racing BMW M4 GT3 brought out a brief full course yellow, but the green flag running resumed shortly thereafter.

Udell, who started from pole position in the No. 63 DXDT Racing Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, found himself in an intense battle for the lead with Luca Mars in the No. 93 Racers Edge Motorsports Acura NSX GT3 EVO22. After running nose-to-tail for the opening third of the race, Mars saw an opportunity to pull off an overtake in Canada Corner, sweeping into first place with one hour to go.

However, as the driver changes unfolded at the halfway mark, DXDT Racing’s Milner regained the track position advantage over the Racers Edge Motorsports’ Zach Veach, who ran into issues with the seat insert during the team’s pit stop.

A full course caution emerged just before the final 10 minutes of the race as Varun Choksey momentarily pulled his ST Racing machine off-track, bringing the field together again. The green flag running resumed for the final five minutes, with Veach challenging Milner with all his might on the restart. Despite the mounting pressure, the Corvette factory driver remained composed and fended off the attacks, going on to clinch DXDT Racing’s fifth consecutive win of the season.

Racers Edge Motorsports finished second overall to score their best result of the year thus far, with Elliott Skeer following closely behind in the No. 120 Wright Motorsports Porsche 992 GT3 R to claim the final podium position.

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“Everything went perfectly for us,” said Milner. “We had a huge lead in our class, but then the yellow flag bunched everyone back up. The other teams, especially the Acura and Porsche, were posting impressive lap times, and I thought, ‘Man, I can’t match that.’ I learned earlier this year that not preparing the tires properly before a restart can cost you, so I made sure to focus on that. Fortunately, I had just enough of a gap and managed to bring this Corvette home in first place again. It’s unbelievable!”

Pro-Am

The running order in the Pro-Am class changed drastically within the opening laps, as on-track drama unfolded almost immediately. The No. 08 DXDT Racing Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R was involved in a lap one incident, bringing Bryson Morris’ debut race in the series to an early end.

A number of teams took a gamble with the weather and started the race on wet tires, which ultimately resulted in them being forced to pit early to switch to slicks. This played perfectly into the hands of Phillip Ellis in the No. 91 Regulator Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3, as he made his way from last to fifth position overall within the opening ten minutes of the race.

Ellis was challenging the Pro class frontrunners before coming into pit lane to hand over his machine to teammate Jeff Burton, who retained the Pro-Am class lead as he returned to the track. Meanwhile, Foley was on the move in the No. 29 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT3, gradually inching closer to Burton lap after lap.

The gap between the two was reduced entirely as a full course yellow came out in the final laps, with Foley now breathing down Burton’s neck with only five minutes left on the clock. The green flag waved once again, and with that, Foley took the opportunity to move past Burton into the class lead, and went on to take the race one Pro-Am victory at Road America.

Burton momentarily ran off-track shortly after being overtaken, allowing Tom Sargent to move up to second place in the No. 32 GMG Racing Porsche 992 GT3 R, followed by Kyle Marcelli in the No. 92 MMG Porsche 992 GT3 R, earning a podium finish in the team’s championship debut.

“It was a crazy race,” Foley said. “I wasn’t really expecting that full course yellow at the end, and to be honest, I didn’t really want it, but it worked out. My stint was pretty easy in the dry, and we had a great BMW M4 GT3 under us today. Turner Motorsport provided us with a fantastic car, as they always do at this track. Thanks to LATICRETE, all of our partners, and of course, Justin and Will. We’re on a roll here, so let’s keep it going.”

“It’s been an amazing day,” echoed Rothberg, who won earlier in the day in GT America as well. “I’ve never had a two-for-two day, so I’m feeling really good. If you had told me when I was sitting back on the wall that I’d end up on the podium, I would have disagreed with you, but here we are.”

The Fanatec GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS field will return for race two on Sunday, August 18th at 2:15 p.m. CT.

RESULTS