Two more team lineups have been confirmed for this year's Petit Le Mans. Extreme Speed Motorsports' Ferrari squad has added a factory shoe while GTC entrants Competition Motorsports bring in one of the race's more unique drivers.
ESM – a podium regular and first-time winner at Mosport's Canadian Tire Motorsport Park earlier this year – brings in Toni Vilander to partner Johannes van Overbeek and Scott Sharp in the No. 01 entry. The sister No. 02 has Anthony Lazzaro joining Guy Cosmo and Ed Brown, with Lazzaro back in the team for the first time since Sebring.
This race marks Vilander's first drive in one of the Patron-backed F458 Italias. Two years ago, the Finn suffered a cruel ending to Petit as his Risi Competizione Ferrari F430 GT ran out of fuel while leading on the last lap.
“It has been a little while since I raced in the ALMS but I'm happy to be back racing and with the ESM team. I love racing in US and can't wait to get in the Ferrari at Road Atlanta,” he said. “I'm really looking forward to getting back to Petit. A few years ago I was close to win and ran out of fuel on the last lap, so maybe now it's our turn to win.”
Competition – a part-time entrant in GTC – adds Australian David Calvert-Jones to its lineup alongside Bob Faieta and Michael Avenatti. Better known as “CJ,” he's primarily a helicopter movie pilot and has credits in "Transformers," "Secretariat," "Domino," "Horrible Bosses," and "We Are Marshall" among many others, as well as providing helicopter footage to NBC Sports for its coverage of the Baja 1000 and Baja 500 and a number of television commercials. CJ is the owner and president of Helifilms, an aerial production company with offices in the United States, Australia, England and South Africa.
CJ completes his rookie season in the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama series as well, racing the GT3 Cup season-ending doubleheader this weekend. He is currently second in the Gold Cup championship standings, with eight podium results from 10 starts, including a victory at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in July.
“Racing at the Petit Le Mans is the biggest challenge I've faced in motorsport, without a doubt,” said CJ, who previously competed in historic and club racing prior to this season in GT3 Cup.