The Heart of Racing to Start Rolex 24 from Fourth Row

The Heart of Racing Porsche drivers Mario Farnbacher Germany), Ian James (Phoenix), Alex Riberas (Spain) and Wolf Henzler (Germany) will start from the fourth row in GTD in The Heart of Racing 911 GT3R at the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship 54thrunning of the Rolex 24 Hour At Daytona on Saturday.

Farnbacher had the controls of the all-new No. 23 The Heart of Racing Porsche GT3R for the 15-minute qualifying session. Rain had once again moved into the area for qualifying. On full wet Continental rain tires, the German was able to post a time of 2:07.985 good for a fourth row starting position in the ultra-competitive GTD Class.

Qualifying went well," Farnbacher said. "In a 24 hour race, qualifying is really not important. I was just running comfortable laps in qualifying, not taking any chances. Our practice conditions were a little dryer earlier in the day. In qualifying, it was a full rain storm. It doesn't do anyone any good if I was to push and stuff it into the wall. We know from the past that the fastest car in qualifying doesn't always win the race. The new car is great. With the traction control and ABS, it makes driving this new Porsche a little easier over 24 hours. The competition in the GTD field is very high. It is going to be interesting."

Team owner, Alex Job, has the The Heart of Racing team in a good position for the start on Saturday.

"Mario did a good job in qualifying," Job said. "For a young guy, he is smart enough to look at the big picture and he has us on the fourth row. We have had changing weather all day and the rain really came for qualifying. The 23 team puts a good car on the track in race trim. Ian, Alex and Wolf, along with Mario have gotten good laps in so far and we are looking forward to a very competitive race come Saturday."

The Heart of Racing Porsche will be turning laps with the hopes of winning the Rolex 24 Hour At Daytona, but also making circuits for the Heart Center at Seattle Children's Hospital. Over the past 19 years, the effort headed by Don and Donna Kitch, has generated over $5.5 million for the cause. As the team heads into Daytona, there are already pledges of more than $200 for every lap that the No. 23 Heart of Racing Porsche turns in the race. Pledges can be made at https://giveto.seattlechildrens.org/teamseattle.

This year the team is installing a new incentive, "THE" Cardiac Crew. For every on track position that the No. 23 The Heart of Racing Porsche improves as a result of the Cardiac Crew's fast pit work, a donation will be made to Seattle Children's Hospital and The Heart Center.

In addition the team's 2016 IMSA WeatherTech Championship season will be documented by Craig Brooks and Kontent Partners. To view the trailer got to http://bit.ly/1VewZvj.

The 54th running of the 24 Hours of Daytona will be televised over FOX Sports1 and 2, as well as streamed live at IMSA.tv. Starting on Saturday, Jan. 30, FS1 will carry the start going live at 2 p.m. ET. FOX Sports 2 picks-up at 4 p.m. IMSA.tv will take over at 10 p.m. At 7 a.m. on Sunday, FOX Sports 1 returns, over to FOX Sports 2 at 10:30 a.m. and back to FOX Sports 1 for the finish at 1 p.m.

Contact:

kyle@kcapr.com

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