Teams, drivers and officials affiliated with the Tudor United SportsCar Championship endurance racing series "hope to build on the successes of last year’s inaugural season, continue attracting more new fans and sponsors, and put the rough patches from that initial season behind them," according to Dinah Voyles Pulver of the Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL. A year ago, the Int'l Motor Sports Association -- governing body for the Tudor series -- was "beginning its first combined year of two racing series, the Grand-Am and American LeMans, facing an overwhelming job of combining technical regulations and requirements." IMSA President & COO Scott Atherton said that the series "has attracted new sponsors," including Europe-based tech firm Dekra, "which will be the company’s first investment in motorsports marketing" in the U.S. Races "have been added for a couple of the classes, giving a full 10-race season to all four classes." This weekend's season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona has 53 cars "expected to line up on the starting grid, about a dozen fewer entries than last year." But Atherton said that it is an example of "quality rather than quantity." Pulver noted Atherton and others "indicated last year's Rolex 24 might have had a few too many cars." Alex Job Racing Owner Alex Job also said that he is "hopeful the series will be able to continue expanding its live television coverage this year" (Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL, 1/20).
