WeatherTech Racing adds Vilander to GTD program
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Marshall Pruett 14 hours ago Finnish Ferrari ace Toni Vilander has been signed as Cooper MacNeil’s new teammate in the No. 63 Scuderia Corsa/WeatherTech Racing Ferrari 488 GT3. Vilander’s return to IMSA, where he starred in Risi Competizione’s GT Le Mans Ferraris, comes after a successful foray in the Pirelli World Challenge series.With MacNeil and Vilander set for full-season duty, the team will rely on Dominik Farnbacher and Jeff Westphal to round out its Rolex 24 at Daytona roster.
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“It was a short off-season for me,” MacNeil said. “We just finished up the Ferrari Challenge season in Italy where I won the championship and now, we are off to Daytona to prepare for the 24. It is great to have Toni in the WeatherTech car for the season. He is a great asset in regard to set-up and, of course, speed behind the wheel. Dominik and Jeff will be great to have for the Rolex 24 and our goal is win it. There will be a lot of good cars with great drivers. We’ve come close in the past, but I really like our chances this year.”
Competing in IMSA’s GT Daytona category on a regular basis will be the only new aspect of Vilander’s 2019 plans.“I have run the Rolex 24 hours ten times,” he said. “It has been a tough race for me as far finishes go. In those ten starts I only have one podium, a third place in the GTLM class. It is nice to join the WeatherTech Racing team. I have driven with Scuderia Corsa before, so I am familiar with the team. The competition in the GTD class is very strong. There are a lot of good teams and driver line-ups. I am looking forward to having good preparation and a strong race next month.”